A guilty pleasure, a spectacle for voyeurs, a fashion fantasia, a model's dream, a designer's showcase... Whatever you think of the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, its impact is far-reaching. This year's crop of long-legged models included young women who first walked in the show in 2000, and other models taking that career-making runway walk for the first time.
Pageantry and elaborate costumes were a part of ancient Egypt fashion, and some of the Victoria's Secret costumes, with jeweled collars, large jewels draped from shoulders to navel, sheer fabrics and exposed flesh echoed the aesthetics of Egyptian women's wear. Certain tomb paintings depict dancers and musicians performing bare breasted, and even noblewomen wore dresses that put the breasts on display, either barely covered by see-through linen or entirely bare. Sandals were the preferred footwear and jewelry and dramatic makeup were plentiful.
Models in Fantasy Costumes and Angel's Wings
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TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images via Laurent Jean Philippe, Flickr |
It's easy to imagine a pageant of the God's wives of Amon. In Egypt's distant history, women's spiritual roles were a source of power. One important position was as a wife of Amon.
Pharaoh's wives, including Cleopatra, at times took on the role of Isis, and wore wings.
The array of fantasy costumes somehow outdid last year's. As one model put it, "It's amazing what they can do with a bra and panties."
As with last year's show, camera angles that would be too crass to use in most other situations -- up-skirt shots that fill the screen were used excessively -- presumably the fact that it's an underwear show is the excuse. The models own the catwalk with grace and composure, despite all the backstage frenzy during the fashion show.
<h2>Fantasy Fashions in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show</h2>
Highlights included a series of superhero styled outfits with capes and thigh-high boots -- fierce fashion -- and the Aquatic Angels. Many aquatic angels sported shell wings. A stand-out: a 2 and half million dollar jeweled bra on the half shell. The model mentioned it was her first show since having a baby, and boasted a larger bust line than usual, even in the world of bra models.
The behind-the-scenes footage of the models preparing for the fashion show added to the extravaganza and increased the voyeuristic aspect. Interviews with the models revealed some surprises about their off-camera interests, breaking the bimbo stereotype. Perhaps the most disturbing note was a model speculating about little girls watching the show who will grow up to be Victoria's Secret models and walk in that show.
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| Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, CC, Some rights reserved by Laurent Jean Philippe |
The use of feathers, drop earrings, wide collar necklace, exposed flesh, see-through fabrics, wings, bird motifs, strong postures and bejeweled clothing that draws attention to the body suited the ancient Egyptian fashion sense are styles that rivet attention in the annual Victoria Secret Fashion Show. This shot from the 2009 show features a push-up bra and feathers with jeweled accents that recall the wings of Isis. Contemporary runway fashion and belly dancers continue to evoke goddesses in fashions that enhance women's figures and mysteries.
The right costume, for a party, masquerade, date or sexy evening at home, makes all the difference.
There's even a VS Barbie Doll -- many of them. The dolls wear Victoria's Secret Fashion Show runway outfits, complete with bras, panties, jewelry and in some cases wings. In the 2011 Victoria Secret Fashion Show interviews, models teared up or jumped up and down in delight when first given wings to wear in the show. Some models have walked the runway for the show many times, and for other models, included some of the youngest models in this year's show, it was their first time.
Updated January 14, 2013. Copyright Travis Arts, all rights reserved.
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Those dresses are really awesome and I like it. She looks gorgeous upon wearing those attire. Keep it up!
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