The laciest, if not raciest, catwalk event of the year aka, the Victoria’s Secret fashion show took place Wednesday night in in the City of Light. Among the takeaways: performances by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars, sisters Bella and Gigi Hadid joining forces, as well as a $3 million Fantasy bra modelled by Jasmine Tookes. Here are the highlights of the Lights, Glitter And Action: VS Fashion show 2016, Paris show:
Guests shuffled into the huge steel-and-glass atrium of Paris’ Grand Palais to the sound of a string orchestra playing softly from a huge Arc de Triomphe decor.
The calm lasted only a few seconds, however, and was broken by the flash of red neon lights and bold rock music blasting out to announce the start of the 40-minute presentation, which infected the cheering guests.
Swedish model Elsa Hosk strutted out fittingly with electric energy in a cropped bustier enveloped in a huge, three-dimensional red Chinese dragon; Kendall Jenner in blood red wore thigh-high boots, a long-line plunging bra and suede angel wing and Gigi Hadid looked like she would take off in flight, sporting a hand-painted cape with an Aztec-pattern that billowed as she walked.
With a retro bleached hairstyle, Lady Gaga gave a rousing and gutsy live performance of “Million Reasons” to the crowd, and appeared again for “A-YO.”
At one point her microphone got stuck in the tassels of her dark cowboy hat, but this didn’t stop the consummate professional, who continued singing “John Wayne” as Victoria’s Secret models danced with her and crisscrossed the runway rhythmically to the beat.
As the 30-year-old popstar ended her set, she walked over to kiss Hadid’s mother, reality TV star Yolanda Hadid, in her front row seat. (Before the show, Gaga treated her Instagram followers to a photo of herself in silver Victoria’s Secret underwear).
Bruno Mars also performed several times, ramping up the energy and using the catwalk as his stage in signature shades, with tuxedo-wearing backing dancers jiving behind him.
The American singer had guests jumping up and down for funky performances of “24K Magic” and “Chunky.”
But it was perhaps The Weekend that got the most cheers of the night. The singer serenaded Bella Hadid with whom he has been romantically linked with his hit song “Starboy,” and almost followed her up the catwalk as she walked in a lace gown with silk organza corset.
Kendall Jenner and Bella and Gigi Hadid were among the winged beauties to strut the legendary runway, staged in France for the first time. Guests entered Paris’ Grand Palais to the sound of a string orchestra playing softly from a huge Arc de Triomphe. The calm lasted only a few seconds, however, before neon lights signaled the start of the 40-minute show.
Swedish model Elsa Hosk strutted out in one of the most dramatic ensembles — enveloped in a huge, three-dimensional red Chinese dragon; Kendall Jenner in blood red wore thigh-high boots, a long-line plunging bra and suede angel wing and Gigi Hadid looked like she would take off in flight, sporting a hand-painted cape with an Aztec-pattern that billowed as she walked.
The show was divided into six thematic sections: Road Ahead, Mountain Romance, Pink Nation, Secret Angel, Dark Angel and Bright Night Angel.
The Mountain Romance section opened with a backlit profile of Lady Gaga engulfed in smoke. The Million Reasons singer slowly worked her way up the runway in a long, black lace gown with large red roses and matching lipstick as models walked past her, sometimes holding on to their hands for a while before they walked on. Bruno Mars also performed his hit 24k Magic in a black tuxedo and fur coat, bringing the audience to their feet.
But it was The Weekend that got the most cheers of the night. The singer serenaded Bella Hadid — his on-and-off girlfriend — with his hit song Starboy, and nearly followed her up the catwalk as she walked in a lace gown with silk organza corset.
Sarah Sampaio, who closed the segment with The Weekend, said it was slightly nerve-wracking.
The high-octane show was divided into six thematic sections, reflected in the colorful styles that bore inches of bare skin: Road Ahead, Mountain Romance, Pink Nation, Secret Angel, Dark Angel and Bright Night Angel.
The signature wings fluttered throughout in feather, silk, gold gild, suede and Swarovski crystal.
The Victoria’s Secret Fantasy bra the 25-year-old Jasmine Tookes was selected to wear is considered the piece de resistance of the brand’s runway display.
The bra, glimmering with thousands of gemstones, was presented like crown jewels ahead of the show. An incredible work of art, it was designed by Eddie Borgo and hand-crafted over 700 hours with gems from jeweler AWMouzannar.
It’s the third time a black model has been chosen to model the Fantasy Bra. For the first time, the former model could boast that Bella was included in the Victoria’s Secret model line-up as well as Gigi for 2016. It’s the third time a black model has been chosen to model the Fantasy Bra.
For the first time, the former model could boast that Bella was included in the Victoria’s Secret model line-up as as the show ended, a million pieces of glittered ribbon fell on the angels and the adoring crowds.
