Bella, Gigi and Kendall get their wings
Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, The Weeknd join them at first Victoria’s Secret show held in Paris
Bells must have been ringing across the City of Light on Wednesday, because several angels received their wings. Kendall Jenner and Bella and Gigi Hadid were among the beauties to strut the legendary runway of the Victoria’s Secret fashion show, staged in Paris for the first time.
Guests entered the Grand Palais to the sound of a string orchestra playing softly from a huge Arc de Triomphe. The calm lasted only a few seconds, however, before neon lights signaled the start of the 40-minute show.
Swedish model Elsa Hosk strutted out in one of the most dramatic ensembles, which included a three-dimensional red Chinese dragon, while Jenner — in blood red — wore thigh-high boots, a long-line plunging bra and suede angel wing, and Gigi Hadid looked as if she would take off in flight, sporting a hand-painted cape with an Aztecpattern that billowed as she walked.
The show was divided into six thematic sections: Road Ahead, Mountain Romance, Pink Nation, Secret Angel, Dark Angel and Bright Night Angel.
The Mountain Romance section opened with a backlit profile of Lady Gaga engulfed in smoke. The Million Reasons singer slowly worked her way up the runway in a long, black lace gown with large red roses by YolanCris as models walked past her, sometimes holding on to their hands for a while before they walked on. Bruno Mars also performed his hit 24k Magic, in a black tuxedo and fur coat, bringing the audience to its feet.
But it was The Weeknd that got the most cheers of the night. The singer serenaded Bella Hadid — his on-and-off girlfriend — with his hit song Starboy and nearly followed her up the catwalk as she walked in a lace gown with silk organza corset.
Sarah Sampaio, who closed the segment with The Weeknd, said the walk was nerve-wracking.
“I had these beautiful, big wings, and I didn’t want to mess it up. I tried to practice at home so I would know what to do but I got there and I did completely the opposite, but everyone told me it was good!”
Backstage, Jasmine Tookes talked about another highlight of this year’s lingerie show: the $3 million fantasy bra.
“It is so beautiful. It’s covered in white diamonds and emeralds and it has about 9,000 gemstones,” she gushed. “So stunning.”
Tookes is the third black Angel chosen to wear the coveted bra, which she said was constructed on a mold of her upper body.
“It’s very heavy; it weighs more than 450 karats. It weighs down on my shoulders a little bit, but it’s so worth it,” she said.
Bella Hadid also enjoyed a big day ahead of her first Victoria’s Secret runway appearance.
“Can’t believe I get to experience all of this with my best friend!” she wrote on Instagram, accompanied by a photo with sister Gigi.
Mother Yolanda Hadid, a former model, also shared in the excitement. The three posed for cameras and kissed on the pink carpet following the collection — in a show of family love.
“It’s all surreal. I mean, I came here when I was 16, modeling. So many years have gone by and to be here with both my girls. It’s emotional. I keep looking at them and pinching myself.
“Whoever thought that this would happen?”