November 9, 2018 |
Where do we even start… Unless you’re already in hibernation mode, you will know Victoria’s Secret 2018 Fashion Show unravelled last night. Set at Pier 49 in New York City, the biggest show of the year had an American homecoming after two seasons abroad. Paris, Shanghai, and now back to the VS hub where it all started. This year’s spectacular fantasy was bigger and better than ever before, because, well that’s just how things go at Victoria’s Secret.
The list of performers was also longer than ever. Rita Ora and Halsey headlined, and were joined by Shawn Mendes, The Chainsmokers, Bebe Rexha, Kelsea Ballerini, Leela James and The Struts for a festival-level music extravaganza. And then there was the fabulous fashions. Beyond the stunning bras, knickers and glorious wings, wings, wings, the show presented a large range of ready-to-wear pieces. Couture-level craftsmanship appeared left, right and centre, proving yet again why the VS show deserves the attention it gets. It’s about creating this ultimate fantasy where so many people work together in creating the final outcome which is as close to perfection as possible.
This year’s final outcome was separated into six sections. It all kicked off with Glam Royale, Taylor Hill opened the show, walking out with some fierce red feathered wings and setting the tone for this plaid-fueled section. It’s the Mary Queen of Scots homage we didn’t know we needed. Golden Angels came just after with Candice Swanepoel (just four months after giving birth to her second child – WE KNOW!) in a hawt belted tee and corset look, which will definitely be emulating this Saturday night. The Flights of Fantasy was all about the best of feathers, with Angel Elsa Hosk serving the $1 million Fantasy Bra designed by Atelier Swarovski closing the section. Then came the Pink section with Bebe Rexha performing and a set of clubwear-inspired pieces that could also happen to appear in your gym kit. Or perhaps party is your choice of cardio?
An explosion of colour and print followed, with the Mary Katrantzou collaboration bringing a female-led vision to the lingerie world. It was epic beyond imagination, with the whole rainbow unravelling onto the catwalk. Gigi Hadid in a massive parachute-like pair of wings? Yas gawd. Stella Maxwell then took us all the way to Lower Manhattan in Downtown Angels, a section of uber-modern pieces that had a 1990s streetwear feel to them. Behati Prinsloo made a comeback after two years, in a corset and with the biggest smile on her face. I-co-nique!
With a masterful finale of Celestial Angels, this year’s Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show had a special, emotional element to it. This section celebrated the starry nights and the beauty of the ethereal – drenched in crystals, feathers and midnight tones, the models were a vision of goddesses that happened to stumble upon us earthlings. And the longest-running VS goddess herself, Adriana Lima closed the show. Hanging up her wings 19 years after her debut show, Lima made us cry like we did when watching Titanic for the first time. Goodbye Angel, you’ll truly be missed.
We’re currently waiting for our Ten mama Lady Neophitou to wake up and give us a full-blown report of last night, and so we’ll leave you here with all the VS gorgeousness captured by Kevin Tachman. And if you’re more into moving image, make sure to tune in on December 2nd when the full footage of the show will be aired on ABC in America and via Youtube TV for all us abroad.
The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Week 2018 will air on December 2nd in America on ABC from 10pm. Photographs by Kevin Tachman.
