They wish they could keep it “unmentionable,” but …
A massive Victoria’s Secret sign in a bustling Midtown Manhattan tourist hotspot shows sultry models in bras with the slogan “Very sexy” — but the city said it’s also “very illegal.”
Two cheeky banners were allegedly illegally installed, and they clearly did their job of turning heads a bit too well, catching attention from Big Apple inspectors.
A massive Victoria’s Secret sign has been displayed in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, which shows sultry models in bras with the slogan “Very sexy.” credit: Katherine Donlevy“More like very illegal,” the city’s Department of Buildings wrote in an X post Thursday.
“Inspectors were recently called to Fifth Ave in Midtown after receiving reports that an advertising sign had been illegally installed.”
The flagship lingerie store had hung the signs without the proper permits or licensed sign handlers — all while being “way over the legal size limit,” the DOB alleged.
The display was found to be 300 square feet — 50% larger than the 200-square-foot allowed maximum.
Two cheeky banners were allegedly illegally installed, according to reports. James MesserschmidtEven worse, each sign was observed constituting three separate violations for a total of six — which could cost the iconic retailer as much as $150,000, the DOB told The Post.
It’s unclear whether the DOB wants to seek the maximum fines or a much more lenient penalty — which would still mean a minimum for all six of $35,000.
The agency was in the process of officially issuing the violations, which would be heard by a judge at a future hearing.
Tourists pose in front of the ad on Fifth Avenue. credit: Katherine DonlevyIn the meantime, Victoria’s Secret was ordered to rip down the ads when an inspector found them Tuesday — but the illegal signs were standing tall and proud Thursday.
Tourists and passersby alike didn’t seem to mind the steamy ad just across from St. Patrick’s Cathedral — if they noticed it at all.
Irish tourist Martina Murphy, who popped into the store to buy some merchandise, wasn’t impressed.
“It doesn’t really do anything for me,” she said, calling the bras being advertised “boring.”
For others, the sultry ad comes with the territory of being in Midtown Manhattan, where just a month earlier, a scantily clad balloon version of Kim Kardashian popped up in Times Square.
The DOB also told The Post that each sign constituted three separate violations, making for a grand total of six violations that could cost the iconic retailer as much as $150,000. credit: Katherine Donlevy“Isn’t there always advertisements like that above the store?” questioned Anita when she was told of the hubbub.
“It doesn’t bother me, but rules are rules,” said another passerby, who didn’t want to share his name as he breezed through the busy shopping hub.
Victoria’s Secret is choosing to stay coy on the slip-up and did not respond to The Post’s request for comment.
