Fashion Voyeur

People will stare, make it worth their while.

Categories: Fashion, Models, Uncategorized

The History of the Victoria’s Secret Fantasy Bra

The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show is something everybody fashionista worth her Manolos looks forward each year, and with it comes the Fantasy Bra.  An exquisite piece of craftsmanship which takes all year to design, make and fit to the chosen model.

A firm fixture in the Fashion Calendar, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show wasn’t always quite so prominent.  Starting life as a trade show in the 90’s shown right before Valentine’s Day, back them the show was a very different story to the huge feathered and rhinestone studded production of today.

Every year since 1996, one lucky VS Angel is selected to showcase the multi million dollar Fantasy Bra; now the centrepiece of the show and the equivalent of NASA’s launch pad for the Angel chosen.  What you might not know is that between 1996 and 2000, the Fantasy Bra was a catalogue only item as it was deemed too expensive to be worn on the runway (none have ever been sold).

From the first ever show held at The Plaza Hotel in New York in 1995 to 2016, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show is probably the best example of clever marketing that you’ll ever see in the fashion world.  From the pre-show #TrainLikeAnAngel campaign that flogs the brand’s sportswear line, to the YouTube broadcast castings and subsequent fittings, the whole thing is a well oiled machine masterminded by Ed Razek, with a little pre-show help from Russell James.  James photographed each of the Angels nude for a $250 book to accompany the show.

I was lucky enough to be invited to the 2014 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show held at Earl’s Court in London and everything, and I mean everything is a slick operation.  It’s a world created entirely for the viewer.  Everything you witness as a member of the press is created for just that purpose and the Angels are more than willing to perform.  It’s a fascinating production to be a part of and the duties of an Angel are so much more than just walking the runway, I could dedicate an entire post to the production of the show and everything that surrounds it including the media machine that’s created in the run up to show day; but this is all about the Fantasy Bra.  So sit back and enjoy every Victoria’s Secret Fantasy Bra that has ever graced a Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show….

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1996 – The first Fantasy Bra was worn by Claudia Schiffer and unveiled in print on the cover of the Valentine’s catalogue.  With 100 carats of diamonds it was given the title ‘The Million Dollar Miracle Bra’.

1997 – Don’t be fooled by how understated this Fantasy Bra appears.  Costing a cool $3 million, the bra was worn by Tyra Banks and featured a 42 carat pear cut diamond at the very centre.

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1998 – The VS creative team took things up a notch with this $5 million ‘Dream Angel’ Fantasy Bra worn by Daniela Pestova.  Featuring a whopping 330 carats of pear and marquise cut diamonds, set amongst 77 carats of marquise cut rubies and mouldable platinum.

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1999 – The year that the Fantasy Bra became a ‘costume’ and people sat up and took notice.  Very visibly different to anything else in the catalogue, the ‘Millennium Bra’ was worn by Heidi Klum and with over 4000 diamonds and sapphires, the price tag was a cool $10 million.

2000 – This $15 million ‘Red Hot’ Fantasy Bra set a Guiness World Record for Most Expensive Piece of Lingerie (until 2006).  Encrusted with over 300 Thai Rubies the Red Hot Fantasy Bra, worn by Gisele, gave Victoria’s Secret the idea to start including the Fantasy Bra in the annual show.

2001 – Heidi Klum was the first Angel to walk the runway in a Fantasy Bra.  The ‘Heavenly Star’ demi bra was made up of pink sapphires with a 90 carat emerald cut diamond in the centre.  At $12.5 million you’d think they could have made one to fit…

2002 – The ‘Star of Victoria’ Fantasy Bra was created to give the look of an English country rose garden, studded with rubies and emeralds galore, the bra cost a whopping $10 million and was worn by rising star (at the time) Karolina Kurkova.

2003 – Wearing her third fantasy Bra, Heidi Klum took to the runway in the (slightly better fitting) ‘Very Sexy’ Fantasy Bra costing $11 million and featuring the second largest diamond in the world at 70 carats.

2004 – The £10 million ‘Heavenly 70’ Fantasy Bra was worn by Tyra Banks and was for print only as the off schedule Angel’s Across America show took place that year.  Featuring  diamonds set in white gold with an awesome 70 carat pear cut diamond at its centre.

2005 – Gisele took on the ‘Sexy Splendour’ Fantasy Bra and this show really embraced themes, shaping the show as we know it now, with a 101 fancy-cut swing diamond, the bra was valued at $12.5 million.

2006 – Now on to her second Fantasy Bra, Karolina Kurkova wore the $6.5 million ‘Hearts On Fire’ Fantasy bra featuring over 2000 single diamonds and a huge 10 carat stone as the centrepiece.

2007 – The ‘Holiday’ Fantasy Bra was worn by Selita Ebanks and was the first year that the costume featured a garter, barrette & cuff as part of the ensemble.  Encrusted in diamonds, yellow sapphires, rubies and emeralds, the bra was the first to embrace the Holiday season.

2008 – Starting to look familiar Voyeurs? Introducing Adriana Lima as the Angel she was meant to be.  Wearing the $5 million ‘Black Diamond’ Fantasy bra, Lima took centre stage for the first time and the world sat up and took notice.  With over 1500 carats in this fantasy Bra, this shaped the show as we know it.

2009 – The $3 million ‘Harlequin’ Fantasy Bra was worn by Marisa Miller and was made up of 2355 diamonds with a 16-carat heart shaped diamond pendant centrepiece.

2010 – The ‘Bombshell’ Fantasy Bra was Adriana Lima’s second outing wearing the coveted showstopper.  With 60 carats of white diamonds as well as blue topaz and sapphires, the bra was valued at $2 million and cemented Lima at the top of her game.

2011 – The ‘Fantasy Treasure’ Bra was worn by Miranda Kerr and incorporated Victoria’s Secret’s famous ‘wings’ or in this case, a piece fashioned to resemble an oyster shell.  with 3379 stones including yellow and colourless diamonds to the tune of of 142 carats, citrines, pearls and aquamarines, the bra was valued at $2.5 million and was finished with a pearl centrepiece.

2012 – Alessandra Ambrosio wore the $2.5 million ‘Floral Fantasy’ Bra, moving towards the full VSFS costume we’re used to seeing today the style featured floral wings and panniers secured with a diamond chain belt, and over 5000 gems.  Amethysts, rubies, sapphires, tsavorites and pink, yellow and white diamonds made up the intricate floral design and just like Adriana Lima, Ambrosio became a household name.

2013 – The ‘Royal’ Fantasy Bra was a sight to behold, worn by Candice Swanepoel, the bra and belt topped out at $10 million and featured over 4200 gem stones including diamonds, rubies and yellow sapphires with a 52 carat pear shaped ruby swinging from the centre.  Hand set in 18 karat gold, the ‘Royal’ saw the Victoria’s Secret Fantasy Bra elevated to the Big Leagues.

2014 – For the first time ever, Victoria’s Secret made two Fantasy Bras for the UK show named the ‘Dream Angels’ fantasy bras.  Worn by Adriana Lima and Alessandra Ambrosio, it was widely speculated that the girls were set to retire after the London show and that this would be their parting gift – this was not the case.  valued at $2 million each, the ensembles were dripping in 16000 blue sapphires, diamonds and rubies set in 18 karat gold.  I was lucky enough to be at this show and got within touching distance of both of these backstage!

2015 – The modestly priced $2 million ‘Firework’ Fantasy bra was worn by Lily Aldridge and is one of the tamest to be seen in recent years.  It left fans of the VS Fashion Show underwhelmed and was criticised on social media.  Made up of white diamonds, blue topaz, yellow sapphires and pink quartz and set in 18 karat gold, the wings and matching panniers were created to replicate the effect of fireworks on July 4th.

2016 – This year marks the 20th anniversary of the VS Fantasy Bra and the brand wanted to bring something new.  After suffering a 35% drop in ratings in 2015 which has been hurtful to the brand, 25 year old Jasmine Tookes was selected to wear the ‘Bright Night’ Fantasy bra.  Made up of 9000 gems and 27000 Swarovski crystals set in 18 karat gold and valued at $3 million, the bra is a step away from the Fantasy Bra’s shown in recent years – a conscious decision for the brand.  Unretouched pictures of Tookes’ Fantasy Bra shoot were also leaked online – rumoured to be a ploy by the brand itself.

“The energy is going to be amazing in Paris, everyone is so excited—it’s going to be one of the best VS shows yet!”  Jasmine Tookes, VS Angel

2017 – The Champagne Nights Fantasy Bra was designed exclusively for Victoria’s Secret by Mouawad Jewellery.  Brazilian Angel Lais Ribeiro was selected to wear the $2 million Fantasy Bra which took almost 350 hours to craft using just under 600 gem stones including yellow sapphires, blue topaz and diamonds, all set in 18 karat gold on a Dream Angel Demi Bra

2018 – The Dream Angels Fantasy Bra took over 930 hours to make and has been set in sterling silver to showcase over 21,000 Swarovski created diamonds, a first for a Victoria’s Secret Fantasy Bra.  The bralette and matching Swarovski by Cristopher Kane body chain was designed for Victoria’s Secret Angel Elsa Hosk and has been valued at a cool $1 million.  The centre piece alone weighs more than 71 carats.

So there you have it Voyeurs, your definitive guide to the Victoria’s Secret Fantasy Bra.  All that’s left now is for you to sit tight and wait for the next VS Fashion Show to air…..

Pixie xo

Categories: Fashion, North East, Pixie, Uncategorized

Love Niche: The Art of Style

Every season Love Niche stages a runway show in Newcastle to showcase their latest collections and SS16 was no different in that respect.  It was however, a huge departure from the regular Love Niche runway show, SS16 brought with it a record number of outfits and a brand new venue.

Following in the footsteps of Karl Lagerfeld, the GodFather of Chanel, Love Niche Owner and Curator Nisha Vedhara, decided to inject a little bit of Paris Fashion Week into her latest show and give every guest a seat on the Frow.  That’s right Voyeurs, no rows other than the front row and all named after the fashion capitals of the world. Natch.

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You’ll know by now from past posts that Nisha and I have become good friends and I champion each collection she brings to the Fash Pack of Newcastle and beyond.  A thoughtful designer, Nisha designs for everyone, every shape and every size, there aren’t many places that can boast a bespoke service with such wide appeal and Nisha’s studio and respective lines have that in abundance.

“My number one aim isn’t to sell you clothes in fact; it’s to sell you confidence, self-esteem, self-awareness, pride and a new lease of life.” Nisha

Nisha learned her trade from her mother, watching her pattern cut and create designer led pieces in India, she designs and produces her own collections “Luxe” and “Resort” and travels the world sourcing and buying the best pieces for her Love Niche “Paris” and “London” lines, ensuring there is a price point that all clients can shop, without exclusion.  Petite, beautiful and very in demand, Nisha is warm and friendly and probably knows what you want more than you do.  In fact, she’s so in demand that she’s the Stylist that Brazilian model and Victoria’s Secret favourite Adriana Lima has on speed dial when an assignment comes up and she needs the best.

Ok, back to the clothes, Love Niche show off schedule, this means that as the collection is shown, clients are able to shop it right off the runway, no waiting six months for the drop to hit the studio, what appears on the runway is current and relevant to the season we’re in.  So, scheduling lesson over, let’s fast forward to The Art of Style, the name of Nisha’s latest runway show at The Biscuit Factory – an art gallery in Newcastle that oozes cool and the perfect place to stage a runway show.  On arrival guests were greeted with a cocktail and a smile, and with a dedicated selfie zone and pop up shop, the stage was set for Love Niche’s most ambitious show to date.  I wore a hacked up ballgown, a Pearl Jam tee and a Kathryn Russell Country Garden crown – perfectly mismatched chic with an Apple Watch which I’m quick discovering goes with nothing but gym attire.

With everything from resort wear suitable for cocktails by the poolside, through to full length gowns fit for the red carpet, and fun, flirty fashion for the younger client, Love Niche put on a showcase lasting a full 60 minutes broken down into themes and styled with accessories from the Love Niche Details range, carefully curated by Nisha herself.

Models walked the snake like runway ensuring that all guests were treated to a 360 degree view of each outfit, up close and personal, exactly as it should be and were able to shop the exact pieces right there from their seat on the Frow.  With bespoke headpieces, flower crowns and section grips provided by the insanely talented Kathryn Russell, the show had a real flavour of Sicilian glamour, a la Dolce and Gabbana.

If you’re already familiar with Love Niche, you’ll know that a Love Niche runway show needs no introduction, a glamorous affair in some of the best North Eastern venues and a sell out every time, but what you might not know is that Nisha and her talented team offer a bespoke made to measure service.  Dotted around the venue were framed sketches of beautiful gowns coupled with swatches of fabric, after the show Nisha tells me that these are all sketches of real dresses which she created for real people.

“Some women come to my Studio looking for one special outfit; some come looking for an entirely new capsule wardrobe complete with accessories – but all women, without exception, come looking to learn a little about themselves. Women know what they want, but don’t always know how to achieve it… they know how they deserve to feel, but don’t always know how to express it. I know.” Nisha

Nisha tells me her bespoke Love Niche clients come back time and time again and I’m not surprised; the Love Niche Studio, tucked away on Clayton Street Newcastle is pure escapism.  Once you climb the staircase and are buzzed in, guests are welcomed with a glass of champagne and you feel a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre.  It’s a calm and welcoming environment and the team are on hand to dispense advice where needed, there’s no push for a sale, it’s a great place to shop and it’s no surprise that Nisha has many a celebrity client given the level of privacy the studio offers.

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If you haven’t yet discovered Love Niche, then make it your next shopping destination, if only for a browse and if you can, get to the next big resportwear show Kool and the Kaftan at Ramside Hall in May 2016, it promises to be another fashion extravaganza and if you have a vacation planned it’s a great way to get the jump on SS16′ s best swim and pool wear offerings.

You can thank me for this tip later!

Pixie x