Thursday, November 30, 2017

Victoria's Secret Fashion Show Has Changed Over The Last 22 Years

 The show has evolved to feature huge wings, major sets, and top models.
See pictures from its 22-year history.



This year, 56 models walked in the show.Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

In 1995, a lingerie company called Victoria's Secret had its first fashion show at the Plaza Hotel in New York. Models wore slinky slips down the runway, accessorized with cardigans and handbags.

Two decades later, 6.6 million people tune in to watch the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show on CBS. This year, it aired on November 28 and the outfits of 2017 were a far cry from what they were 22 years ago. Brightly colored costumes and huge wings now grace the runway, making the beige satin bras of yesteryear look oddly quaint.

Keep scrolling to see how the show and its models have evolved since 1995.

The first Victoria's Secret Fashion Show took place in 1995 at the Plaza Hotel in New York. The models wore slinky slips and shiny brass.


You can watch more of the 1995 runway show here.

By 1996, the fashion show had better lighting but was still focused on lingerie. Baby dolls were extremely popular.

Things have changed. Mark Cardwell/REUTERS


The show had started to become a bigger deal by 1998. In addition to costumes, wings made their first appearance on the runway this year.
These outfits had a lot of matching elements. REUTERS

By 1999, the wings had become the show's focal point.
One model appears to be flying. REUTERS


The underwear was no longer the main focus, but just one element of the costumes.
This outfit resembles a fairy costume. AP

And models like Tyra Banks started to own the runway.
Tyra Banks. AP


In 2000, the show was held at the Cannes Film Festival as a part of the Cinema Against AIDS 2000 gala. It raised $3.5 million.
These wings may have been over-the-top, but overall her look was subdued. REUTERS

Source: The Dallas Morning News

In 2001, the show moved to Bryant Park in New York City. Model Molly Sims walked the runway with much larger angel wings — the trend had become iconic.
Molly Sims. AP


In 2002, the show moved to New York's Lexington Avenue Armory. Gisele Bündchen was harassed on stage by PETA for wearing fur. She seemed unperturbed.
This was a memorable moment. AP

During these early years, the brand began to recognize a core group of models, including Heidi Klum, Tyra Banks, and Gisele Bündchen. Here they are in 2003.
These women are legendary supermodels. AP


After a hiatus in 2004, the 2005 show debuted the biggest wings yet. Musician Seal serenaded the models, including then-wife Heidi Klum.
Heidi Klum and Seal. AP

The costumes were also becoming more elaborate than ever before.
This costume was a lot. AP


The 2005 angels posed as a group, too. This was the final show for Tyra Banks who left to launch her television career.
Tyra Banks went on to do some pretty big stuff. AP

Source: Associated Press

The following year, Victoria's Secret's playful sub-brand PINK made its runway debut at the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles.
PINK is a mainstay in the show nowadays. AP

Source: Fashionista


And the 2006 show couldn't pass by without even larger wings. This show was Gisele Bündchen's final walk with Victoria's Secret.
Gisele Bündchen. AP

Source: New York Daily News

Heidi Klum "sleighed" the runway as a huge snowflake in 2007.

Heidi Klum's look really stood out. AP


The 2008 show was at Fontainebleau Miami Beach in Florida. The outfits were even more dramatic and vampy.
This cape is a dark and elegant. AP

Heidi Klum carried this giant bow down the runway in 2008.
This bow is truly a look. AP


In 2009, the show was back at the Lexington Avenue Armory where it has remained ever since. The PINK models showed off their own brightly colored wings.
The PINK brand has a unique personality. AP

But they couldn't beat 2010's Victoria's Secret Angel wings. Look at those peacock feathers!
These wings are seriously huge. AP


In fact, all the props were bigger in 2010.
A model walked the runway with a large weight. AP

The 2011 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show was huge. Kanye West performed, there was a superhero theme, and the runway was filled with sparkles.
The 2011 show was memorable. AP


But 2012 surpassed 2011 with an even bigger stage and setup.
Even Rihanna made an appearance. AP

There was also a new order of supermodels in 2012, including Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio, and Candice Swanepoel, among others.
A new generation of Angels. AP


The shows have only gotten bigger and better since then. 2013 was all about feathers.
The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show costumes are iconic. AP

Not to mention Taylor Swift.
The costumes were truly iconic. AP


2014 had amazing stage designs that effortlessly changed throughout the show.
This set was intricate. Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

In this 2014 shot, it doesn't even look like the same stage.
A totally glam backdrop. Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images


2014 also had the first dual fantasy bras. The fantasy bra concept dates back to 1996, but this was the first year two models got to wear them. Lima and Ambrosio's bras were valued at $2 million each.
Adriana Lima and Alessandra Ambrosio. Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

Source: The New York Post

In 2015, the show featured new fashion "It" girls like Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner.
Kendall Jenner. AP


In 2015, model Maria Borges wore her hair natural and close-cropped, which was a critically lauded move.
Maria Borges. Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

Source: Essence

Last year, there was more natural hair than ever before on the runway, according to the Victoria's Secret show's hairstylist.
Jourdana Phillips. Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Source: Refinery 29


Last year's show was in Paris, France. And of the 51 women walking in the show, 18 of them were newbies.
The 2016 PINK models. Dominique Charriau/Getty Images

The show aired on December 8, 2016, and it was a fun time.
Adriana Lima was all smiles. Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images


In 2017, 56 models walked in the runway show, which was held at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai, China.
The cast was lauded as racially diverse. Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Of the group, 13 were official Angels and 14 were newcomers.

However, the show was plagued with problems before it even began. Then, during the show, model Ming Xi fell on the runway.
She recovered gracefully. Aly Song/Reuters

Read more about Xi's fall and the drama surrounding the show.


All drama aside, there were some stunning looks. The brand collaborated with Balmain, which added an edgy vibe to the show.
Angels Martha Hunt and Stella Maxwell. Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

There weren't a whole lot of wings on the runway, though. Instead, many of the brand's top models sported flowing, Grecian sleeves.
Bella Hadid. Theo Wargo/Getty Images

You can see all the looks here.


In some ways, the show marked the end of an era. Just before walking, longtime Angel Alessandra Ambrosio announced that it would be her last show.
The Victoria's Secret Angels posed together on the runway. Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images

All things considered, the show went well.
Source: Entertainment Tonight


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