lifestyle THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014 FASHION

Victoria’s Secret models, front row from second left, , , , , , , , , , and pose with other Victoria’s Secret models for photographers a day ahead of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion show, outside the store in . — AP/AFP photos

Victoria’s Secret ‘Angels’ strut in London for first time

op models wearing gold wings and dia- each studded with 16,000 precious stones mond-encrusted bras strutted the London including diamonds, rubies and sapphires valued Tcatwalk on Tuesday in the first Victoria’s at $2 million. Swift, dressed in a and black Secret annual lingerie show to be held in the negligee, performed her single “Blank Space” in British capital. The event was billed as the US part of the show inspired by dreams and deco- company’s most expensive ever with a price tag rated with pearlescent balloons. A change in of $20 million (16 million euros), and featured ambiance arrived in the fourth section of the some of the world’s best-paid models including show, which was hosted by Grande and was ded- ’s Adriana Lima. Only the second time the icated to the brand’s more casual PINK line show has been held outside the aimed at students, with models dressed in leop- since 1995, the event began on a glamorous ard prints and bright colors. note with the so-called “Victoria’s Secret Angels” Irish musician Hozier then performed his hit dressed in white and sporting gold wings. debut “Take Me to Church” as models dressed in British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran took to pale green and pink with transparent fairy wings strutted in a magical setting of white trees and autumn leaves. Swift then returned to the stage to bring the show to a close with a black and white themed performance as the Angels mod- British Lily Donaldson eled garter belts and stockings sets. media campaign that forced the company earlier this month to change its adverts featuring mod- ‘Absurd’ controversy els wearing its new “Body” bras under the slogan: Among the 47 “Angels” chosen to represent “The Perfect ‘Body’.” Singer Hozier performs at the Victoria’s Secret fashion show. the brand were Candice Swanepoel, Behati The ad now reads: “A Body for Every Body.” But who performed in the show were “genuinely nice ahead of the event. “It’s such an honor for a mod- Prinsloo, Doutzen Kroes and Karlie Kloss-the lat- Razek dismissed the controversy as “absurd” as women” who defied stereotypes. el to walk in this show, just because it’s huge ter appeared wearing 18-carat gold wings. he said the company had never intended to pres- “The image of a vacuous who publicity for us.” Dutch model Kroes said: “It feels Created in 1977 and with 1,000 stores in the ent “an example of the one and only perfect never eats and only worries about what she really special.” — AFP United States, Victoria’s Secret is the market body in the world”. Describing the models as looks like is certainly not the image of our girls,” leader there and made $6.68 billion from sales “healthy” and “confident”, Razek said that those he said. Swedish model said she had last year. It has been on the British market since prepared for the show, which has helped launch 2005 and has a flagship store on London’s New the career of several famous , with Bond Street, one of 15 outlets in the country. The “a lot of different workouts” including a mix of flashy brand is not to everyone’s taste, however. ballet and boxing. “It’s one of the biggest shows Three British students led a successful social that you can walk in as a model,” she told AFP

Models and pose for photographers backstage at the Victoria’s Secret fashion show. the stage to perform his hit “Thinking Out Loud” as models walked the catwalk in colorful outfits inspired by exotic destinations. US superstars and also performed in the show in London-a city chosen over because of its “convergence” between fashion and music, according to marketing director Ed Razek. “The show is seen in 192 countries, the show is seen by 500 million people. That is com- pletely unique in the industry. No one does what we do,” Razek said. Wearing long dark tresses and capes, Lima Models Jasmine Tookes and Cindy Bruna and fellow Brazilian Alessandra Ambrosio exhib- pose for photographers backstage at the Model displays a creation at ited “Fantasy Bras” created by jeweller Mouawad, Victoria’s Secret fashion show. Brazilian model the Victoria’s Secret fashion show. Portuguese model Sara Sampaio

Models and pose for photographers. Brazilian model .