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 Models take the stage at the 14th annual Victoria's Secret fashion show. (Photo courtesy Victoria's Secret) |
NEW YORK CITY — Mountains of glitter, stands packed with celebrities and a $3 million bra: There definitely was no sign of the recession during the 14th annual Victoria's Secret fashion show.
For added sparkle, supermodel Heidi Klum strutted at the show despite having given birth less than two months ago.
And while the multi-million dollar show takes place mostly on the catwalk, there is plenty going on the stands.
It really is the show where you go to be seen.
In the first rows, a tuxedo-clad Jay-Z watches the show unfold and Russell Simmons takes pictures. Other celebs in attendance include Sex and the City stylists Patricia Field, Gossip Girl actors, directors Harvey Weinstein and Michael Bay, actor Olivier Martinez, entrepreneur Ivana Trump and Virgin head Sir Richard Branson.
The red carpet was rolled out Thursday night in front of the Lexington Armory in Manhattan and luxury cars were packed into Lexington Avenue. Inside, a sparkling catwalk in the shape of a V was set up.
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Psychedelic images were projected onto a huge white castle and even the fans assembled on either side of the stage became part of the show. Cameras on rails followed the models as they walked.
Opening the show was the Black Eyed Peas with a performance of their hit song Boom Boom Pow. The Star Trooper segment was clearly inspired by the futuristic looks of Lady GaGa with models hitting the catwalk dressed in armour.
How does one sum up this 14th edition of the show? For one, wings are out and bling is in. There were fewer wings, but there were many crystals, diamonds and butterflies. During one scene, the models were dressed as nymphs and in another paid homage to the hippy years and pop art.
The hit of the show was clearly the $3 million bra, covered in 150 carats worth of diamonds, modeled by Miss Sports Illustrated Marisa Miller.
Seeing Klum modeling was also hit and the crowd went crazy when she came out, showing off her new-mom curves.
Klum had originally told media that she wouldn't participate because it had only been five weeks since she had given birth to her fourth child. But the German model was there, working alongside twig-like models half her age.
What was lacking was exactly that, more well-known faces and more mature women; Gisele Bundchen and Karolina Kurkova are both pregnant and had to be replaced.
The man seated next to me summed it up best: "We're missing real women like Tyra Banks."
The show will be broadcast on Dec. 1 at 10 p.m. on CBS.