The Style Files : The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2015
The Angels are back - Entertainment, fashion or both?
When you tell someone that you are looking forward to watching the broadcast of the Victoria's Secret fashion show in December (not only because they have a huge manufacturing presence here) to look at the clothes, it’s likely that it will elicit the same response with a quizzical look: “Clothes?”.
The show will be broadcast in 192 countries next month to over half-billion people. For the people who shelled out astronomical amounts (minimum bid: $25,000 or Rs.3.5 million for two seats, with all money going to nominated charities) the clothes are probably not of any interest - the half-naked famous women and musical acts like Selena Gomez and Ellie Goulding are what attracts.
The concept of the show was originally conceived 20 years ago by Leslie Wexner, the chairman of Victoria’s Secret because, he said, “We’re a fashion brand, we should be doing fashion shows.” In many ways, it shares all the attributes of the most established, ready-to-wear shows:
1. The ‘It Girl’ model names of the moment, Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid.
2. Swarovski sponsorship (Swarovski also having sponsored, in the past, names like Alexander McQueen, Christopher Kane, Proenza Schouler and so on).
3 .Cool collaborators: This year, a red carpet favorite, shoe maestro Brian Atwood and uber hip jeweler Eddie Borgo.
4. Intrigue and Drama: Rihanna scheduled to perform, puled out at the last minute igniting rumours that it was done in protest for her BFF Jourdan Dunn being replaced by Kendall Jenner.
4. And afterward, showpieces that are featured in the windows of flagship stores around the world.
Lingerie was one of the predominant trends of womens wear collections from fashion capitals and design houses (like Celine, Dolce & Gabbana and Calvin Klein, to name a few) around the world, making the show so incredibly relevant.
The show was divided into six sections and featured 75 outfits. There were wings, Swarovski and bras and panties in varying rainbow shades, jewel encrusted bodysuits, Marie Antoinette-style corsets and the highlight being the 2 million dollar and jewel-encrusted Fantasy Fireworks bra worn by Lily Aldridge.
While feminist critics say that it doesn’t do much to move female empowerment forward, others argue that celebrating your body and sexuality is a feminist thing.
Another point of debate amoungst many bloggers, fashion reviewers and critics is the voice-over that welcomed the audience to the “the greatest fashion event on earth” not just the greatest show on earth. Is this the future of fashion shows?
If it isn’t it probably should be!
By Minoli Ratnayake
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