Victoria's Secret 2008 Fashion Show Takes Wing

Victoria's Secret once again set the standard for outrageous and uncompromisingly sexy lingerie in an annual fashion show that has come to represent the ultimate in feminine fantasy against a backdrop of glitz and glamour. From the high-stepping long-legged super models to the star studded audience, the newly renovated Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach rocked out.

Heidi Klum was the feature attraction, but she was joined by 34 other models, including Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio, and Karolina Kurkova. And, yes, "angels" took wing.

R&B singer Usher, who seems to be a fixture at these events, started the show on Saturday (Nov. 15) with a rousing version of “Yeah.” He was greeted by Lima, who appeared on the X-shaped stage, wearing a $5-million diamond-studded “Fantasy Bra, silver boots and the tiniest of bikini panties. It was that kind of show.

Jeweler Martin Katz designed the bra. It was decorated with white and black diamonds and rubies, and will be for sale in the company's catalog. "I always wanted to wear the Fantasy Bra. It's the first time that Victoria's Secret makes a black diamond bra," Lima said. "A woman could definitely buy it if they love it and men, too."

At a time when the nation is struggling through a tough economy, the show should provide a welcome diversion. It will air on CBS on Dec. 3 at 10 p.m. Viewers will see a stage covered with tiny mirrored pieces of plastic and two silver palm trees. “The theme of the show is a return to glamour," said Victoria’s Secret Chief Executive Sharen Turney. "Victoria's Secret is about sexy and the new sexy is glamorous for this season."

It didn’t take long for Victoria’s Secret’s trademark wings to make their appearance. Selita Ebanks was the first to don a pair and walk the catwalk. Designer Martin Izquierdo crafted seven pairs of wings for the show. He said Greek mythology and butterflies were his inspiration.

Model Miranda Kerr wore wings with the multicolored butterflies. The wings bold featured bold colors with geometric designs influenced by 1920s flapper designs. Klum closed the show with the most spectacular costume, a red bra, bikini underwear and expansive red wings that looked like a Christmas bow – no doubt to remind shoppers the holidays are fast approaching.

While most of the action took place on the catwalk the audience was rife with A- to D-list celebrities. Sean Diddy Combs, Gwyneth Paltrow, Russell Simmons, Michelle Trachtenberg, John Stamos, Kim and Kourtney Kardashian, Martha Stewart, Paris Hilton and Sylvester Stallone were among those who stood out.

In two of the most daring looks, svelte-looking Karolina Kurkova and Danish model Doutzen Kroes sported skimpy G-strings. Models wore bras gilded with Swarovski crystals. The youthful, pastel Pink collection was countered by lingerie from the black tie collection, which featured all black designs.

"The show, it's based on lingerie, but it's about creating an event," ‘70s New Wave icon Debbie Harry told the AP. "It's just a big, wild extravaganza and I think that's what attracts me."

Old Hollywood's glitz and glamour returned to the Fontainebleau Hotel Saturday night as the recently renovated resort played host to the annual Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.

In the '50s and '60s, the Fontainebleau was a bee's nest of celebrity activity: Frank Sinatra played the nightclub. Jerry Lewis filmed The Bellboy. Sean Connery's James Bond swam in the pool in Goldfinger.

On this night, Paris Hilton struck a pose on the pink carpet. Heidi Klum primped and prepped backstage for the catwalk. Robert Duvall and James Caan arrived as a team to work the crowd.

From the humid air to the no-holds-barred attitude, the scene was steamy as A-listers convened to watch the annual fashion show and celebrate the reinvigoration of the resort. The show was taped for broadcast on Dec. 3 (CBS, 10 p.m. ET/PT).

Iron Man star Terrence Howard was pointedly honest from the front row: "I'd rather see beautiful lingerie lying on the floor."



The lingerie line's holiday-themed event featured a full orchestra, a glitter-drenched runway, 35 models and two performances by Usher. Victoria's Secret veteran Heidi Klum walked the runway only three times, but her showstopping gift-bow wings closed the festivities with panache. Husband Seal watched from the front row, flanked by pals Lenny Kravitz, Mario Lopez and Howard.

Among the other stars in attendance: musicians Diddy, Mario and Cee-Lo; actors Kyle McLachlan, Sanaa Lathan, Amanda Bynes, Gabrielle Union, Molly Sims, Becki Newton and Michelle Trachtenberg; athletes Jeff Gordon and Amanda Beard, and a slew of reality stars, including Paris Hilton, Kim and Kourtney Kardashian and Kristin Cavallari.

In addition to Usher's medley of old and new hits, including Yeah! and This Ain't Sex, models hit the runway to the thumping tunes of Chris Brown and Kanye West while a shower of synthetic rose petals rained down. The couture collection of sparkling bras, panties, coats and dresses marks the first time the show featured "full-on collection flavor," chief costume designer Todd Thomas said. "This year's focus is glamour, sophistication and the return to elegance."

The ramped-up glamour was a hit.

"I thought it was beautiful," Hilton said. "Breathtaking."

The show featured a $5 million, 1,500-carat bra worn by Brazilian beauty Adriana Lima — an extravagance in tough economic times. But Klum said there's no need to dwell on the negative. "You always have to look forward even when times are bad," she said. "You have to look to the future."

That's just what Klum's former Project Runway protégé Christian Siriano is doing. Siriano said he's working on a book, designs for movie costumes and a new Egypt-inspired collection. The projects "will be out of control," he promised. "You will die."

Outside the elaborate poolside tent that housed the show, stars marveled at the 54-year-old Fontainebleau's $1 billion face-lift.

"It's extraordinary," George Hamilton said. "It's going to change the landscape. It's just what Miami needs."

The 1,504-room luxury hotel sits on 22 acres. It features 11 restaurants and a 40,000-square-foot spa.

"I think it's great," Martha Stewart said. "They're trying so hard to make everyone comfortable."

Brazilian model Adriana Lima looks full of beans in new Victoria's Secret bra ad

Adriana Lima is clearly the right woman for the job, as the Victoria's Secret model revealed an enviable silhouette as she modelled the lingerie brand's new Miracle bra.

The 27-year-old Brazilian born model sent temperatures soaring as she stripped off to model the company's push-up bra.



Aspiring actress Adriana who has had a cameo role in Ugly Betty, is probably best known for her work with the racy lingerie company which launched the careers of models Heidi Klum and Tyra Banks.

Her first fashion show for the company was in 1998 and since being contracted as an Angel in 2000, she has appeared on subsequent shows ever since.

Now the face of the Miracle Bra, Adriana has a starring role in the 2008 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, where she will wear the $5million gem-studded Fantasy Bra.



The bra is encrusted with 3,575 dazzling black diamonds, 117 certified one-carat round diamonds and 34 rubies, and nearly 3,900 stunning gems,

Adriana's new advert comes ahead of preparation for the underwear label's highly anticipated fashion show, which will also feature fellow 'angels' Heidi Klum, Miranda Kerr and Marisa Miller.

R 'n' B star Usher Raymond will appear on the show which will be broadcast in the US on December 3.

Victoria's Secret is Fitting

The glamor is back! This year's Victoria's Secret Angels Fashion Show will be held at Fontainebleau Miami Beach and can be watched via CBS channel on December 3, 2008.

With just a few weeks of preparation, Miranda Kerr and Marisa Miller were all spotted getting ready for the big night. Checkout the the Angels' photos taken during their fitting and rehearsal sessions.