14 Nov 2010, Posted by admin in Fashion, 0 Comments

backstage and inside the victoria secret show

I started out the day of the Victoria Secret fashion show backstage chatting with the models, learning about the makeup and hair and taking in the mayhem of one of the biggest shows in fashion. I started out talking with hair stylist Sam McKnight who told me that he was going for sexy, glamourous hair that had an ease about it. That translated into loose waves and lots and lots of hair extensions (I couldn’t help myself, when I saw the table of hair extensions, I had to take a picture).

I chatted with makeup artist Tom Pecheux who told me of course he wanted to create a sexy look, but he wanted to give an approachable feeling to the makeup that women at home could copy. The adorable and lovely Jessica Stam (while eating a big plate of food, see models eat!) told me, “I still get nervous doing this show! And I do a lot of runway! But this is not like anything else!” How does Ms.Stam get ready for the runway, by working out with trainer to the stars Tracy Anderson. “She whips me into shape!” I made my way over to wear Selita Ebanks who was getting a manicure. She told me “It means everything for a model to do this show. This is basically the pinnacle.”

I returned to the 68th Street Armory a couple of hours later to see the first taping of the show (its taped twice) before it is spliced together for the November 30th show on CBS. The stage had an old world supper club feel to it, tying into the “Club Victoria” theme, something a brand manager at Victoria Secret told me would have more significance when the show airs on television. There were five sections in the show–Tough Love, Game On, Country Girls, Heavenly Bodies, Wild Things and Pink Planet. Adriana Lima, the clear crowd favorite, opened the show wearing leather body armor and cuffs. There was quick musical break for Katy Perry to sing her new hit “Firework”, and show went into the Game On section, which riffed on sports wear. Victoria Secret literally Swarovski crystalized everything including boxing gloves and a lacrosse stick. One of my favorite sections was the avant garde Heavenly Bodies sections, which had a glamourous space age vibe to it (many of the looks were reminiscent of the Armani Prive pieces Lady Gaga has taken a fancy too). Akon took to the stage during this portion singing his song “Beautiful.” The show ended with Katy Perry singing a medley of her greatest hits including Teenage Dream and California Girls. Balloons dropped from the ceiling and all of the models danced on stage including Anja, Chanel, Lily, Karolina and Isabeli (hey these are Victoria Secret girls, only first names are needed).

–Leah Bourne