The 2016 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show was an extravaganza. The “Super Bowl of Beauty,” Victoria’s Secret developed a beautiful production featuring the sexiest women in the most beautiful city in the world. Paris, the City of Light and the historical Capital of Fashion, provided an enchanting backdrop to the $20 million splendor of fashion and music. Set in the Grand Palais, home to the Chanel Spring 2016 Haute Couture Collection, the Victoria’s Secret Show stirred the interest of the fashion industry, prompting the attendance of several elite designers including, Haider Ackermann, Clare Waight Keller, Riccardo Tisci, Olivier Rousteing, Julie de Libran, Peter Dundas, Giambattista Valli, and Azzedine Alaïa.
The musical guests included performances by Bruno Mars, The Weeknd and Lady Gaga. Bruno Mars moved the crowd with funky renditions of “Chunky” and “24k Magic,” and The Weeknd belted his Number 1 hit, “Starboy”, while exchanging furtive glances with ex-girlfriend, model Bella Hadid. Although Bruno Mars and The Weeknd were smashing successes; Lady Gaga was the main attraction. The self-proclaimed “Rebel Angel,” rocked the stage with flawless presentations of “Million Reasons,” “A-Yo” and “John Wayne” while sporting a $1 million onyx cowboy-style hat trimmed with 45,700 Swarovski crystals. Collectively, the musicians delivered an eclectic soundtrack to a night brimming with excitement and titillation.
Although the artists bestowed electrifying musical numbers, and Paris furnished a gorgeous landscape, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show is all about the models. Unlike traditional runway exhibitions that spotlight couture designs, viewers tune into the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show to watch their favorite models at the peak of their game; 2016 did not disappoint.
Victoria’s Secret Angels, including Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio, Lily Aldridge, Elsa Hosk, Jasmine Tookes, Josephine Skriver, Lais Ribeiro, Martha Hunt, Romee Strijd, Sara Sampaio, Stella Maxwell and Taylor Hill, oozed Bombshell vitality; whilst industry “It Girls,” Kendall Jenner, Gigi and Bella Hadid, and an inconspicuously pregnant Irina Shayk, touted an editorial coolness primed for global domination.
The runway displayed six collections titled: “Road Ahead,” “Mountain Romance,” “Pink Nation,” “Secret Angel,” “Dark Angel” and “Bright Night Angel.” The “Road Ahead Collection” presented colorful ensembles adorned with vibrant feathers, patterns, and an eastern exoticism allure. The “Mountain Romance Collection” included velvet and wool pieces of subdued hues affixed in a mountainous style. “Pink Nation” paraded a pink paradise of athletic, youthful looks, including crop tops, thigh-high white socks and baseball caps, enfolded within blush-bowed wings. The “Secret Angel Collection” toted the line between burlesque and dominatrix with latex and lace garments, cut-outs and translucent fitted coats. Obsidian lace, high-neck embellishments, and sultry bustiers eclipsed the “Dark Angel Collection,” providing a provocative assortment of lingerie for enigmatic Bad Girls. In anticipation of the holiday season, the “Bright Night Angel Collection” consisted of bright, sparkly vestments with jeweled trimming. In addition, Victoria’s Secret Angel Jasmine Tookes brandished the highly acclaimed $3 million bra.
Each sect of the 2016 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show dispensed an innovative narrative with sensual piping and elaborate pomp. The models, the music, and the Parisian scenery provided an opulent, seductive exhibition that captivated the imagination of the world.
