The anticipated Victoria’s Secret Fashion show kicks off today in New York City. This is a major event in the modelling world where the chosen few get to strut the latest lingerie designs on the day.
We’ve talked about the exclusion of fat and previously black women in their lineup before, and asked when will Victoria’s Secret realise “fat” women are Sєxy too? We need more diversity in the selection of models.
The models who will be spreading their wings on the runway include Winnie Harlow, South Africa’s Candice Swanepoel (who has shared stories of how she’s returning after two babies), Duckie TH๏τ, Namibian model Behati Prinsloo, Estelle Chen and sisters Bella and Gigi Hadid, among the 50.
Winnie Harlow, who’ll be the first model with vitiligo on the show, shared her excitement about making it in the show on an Instagram post.
“It’s the pinnacle of my career,” she tells Vogue in this interview. “I told anyone [who] asked, ‘I want Victoria’s Secret!’”
While it was not her first time walking on a Victoria Secret show, Chinese model Sui He shared how it never gets easier. On the Victoria’s Secret Road to Runway series she says: “This is my eighth year but I’m still nervous! But I’m enjoying every single moment.”
In between all the nerves and excitement the models experience, the preparation they have to go through is as intense as you can imagine. One of the most popular secrets they share is their exercise routine for the show.
The models train hard and smart for this big day. Yoga, core strength training, leg and booty toning, weight and resistance training are all part of the Angels’ workout sessions.
According to Vogue Australia, first time Angel Alannah Walton has spent two hours a day toning and strengthening her body, cut out processed foods, and eats high protein, healthy fats and complex carbs.
Another article from the same magazine, says that alumni Georgia Fowler, has also been at it for two hours day, has cut carbs, salt and sugar and made sure to eat one avo a day.
And there are fittings on fittings on fittings. The Victoria’s Secret models attended a number of fittings for the latest lingerie designs. With a dedicated wing designer you can expect to see parachute-like wings, a 400 hundred hour star wing and hand painted check skirt.
Tailor Barak Stribling for By Barak said: I think that the viewing audience would be surprise how much work goes into each one of these pieces (sic).”
Rehearsals are a big part of any live show, and so it was for this Victoria’s Secret show as well. The top models each stopped by at the Victoria’s Secret headquarters, posing by outside the offices.