SECRET'S SECRETS
Inside return of Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show where Kate Moss & Bella Hadid strutted with trans and plus sized models
One famous model has said it was her first and 'probably last' time as an Angel
SUPERMODEL Kate Moss has pretty much seen all there is to see in the world of fashion.
But at the age of 50, she’s ticked one more box — by earning her wings as a Victoria’s Secret Angel.
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After a six-year hiatus, the scandal-hit lingerie brand’s annual extravaganza returned to New York on Tuesday — with a surprise appearance from British favourite Kate.
She took to the catwalk in black underwear and wings moments after her daughter Lila, 22, also made her debut.
Meanwhile, Gigi and Bella Hadid, who wore matching red lingerie, Candice Swanepoel, Barbara Palvin and Adriana Lima, were back.
They, along with Eva Herzigova and Imaan Hammam, were among 50 models from 25 countries at the show, which has been celebrated for ushering in a more inclusive era.
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Also appearing was former first lady of France Carla Bruni, 56, who said it was her first and “probably last” time as an Angel.
Making history
Dressed in a black bodice and lace tights with wings, she said: “At my age?
Dressed in a black bodice and lace tights with wings, she said: “At my age? It’s very exciting, and it’s very overwhelming, really. No one gets used to being on a runway no matter how long they’ve been doing it.”
She was joined by Tyra Banks, 50, who broke her retirement to walk the Victoria’s Secret runway for the first time since 2005.
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Its “inclusive” rebrand also saw Alex Consani and Valentina Sampaio make history as the first trans models to walk for Victoria’s Secret, which launched in 1995.
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It followed controversial comments in 2018 from the brand’s former chief marketing officer, Ed Razek, who said transgender people should not be featured.
After a raft of criticism, and suffering its lowest ever ratings, the show was axed later that year.
But ahead of its anticipated return, the brand promised to “deliver precisely what our customers have been asking for — the glamour, runway, fashion, fun, wings, entertainment — all through a powerful, modern lens reflecting who we are today”.
And our Kate proved an Angel delight.
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Glitz and glamour
By Abby McHale
GROWING up, I used to be obsessed with the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show – the best supermodels strutting their stuff on the runway.
The glitz, the glamour, the musical performances, there was something about it that made this magical.
Who wouldn’t want to be a Victoria’s Secret Angel? So I had high hopes for the show’s return.
I wondered who would wear the famous Fantasy Bra?
If Gisele Bundchen, 44 – one of the most famous names associated with the brand – would make an appearance.
And would there finally be diversity?
But it was all rather lacklustre.
While it was amazing to watch Kate Moss and Carla Bruni – both in their fifties – make their Victoria’s Secret debut, little has changed since before its hiatus.
Yes, there was some diversity in the form of size 16 models Ashley Graham and Paloma Elsesser, but there needs to be a wider variety of shapes and sizes to reflect all of society.
Even the clothes were uninspiring, with Gigi Hadid kicking off the show in a pink playsuit that could have been sold in Primark.
The whole production simply lacked oomph.
Victoria’s Secret is a brand that has the power to set beauty standards.
It could have come back with a big bang, but it fell flat.
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