The History Of The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show

December 4, 2016 in Daily Bulletin

The 2016 Victoria’s Secret fashion show airs in the United States tomorrow. Kate Storey picked out notable events from the history of the show:

  • It all started in 1994 when the CEO decided that because Victoria’s Secret was a fashion company it should have a fashion show. The 1995 event had just two cameras, little fanfare, but was received incredibly well with some calling it “the lingerie event of the century”.
  • 1996 saw the reveal of the million-dollar diamond studded fantasy bra. The model had to be put in an armored truck and escorted by armed guards.
  • In 1999 the show was streamed online for the first time. Steve Jobs called it one of the internet’s 10 most seminal events.
  • In 2000 it streamed live from the Cannes film festival. The time difference meant that it aired during the middle of the day in the US. The Treasury Secretary estimated that this cost the country a billion dollars in lost productivity.
  • Because of the fracas around the Janet Jackson “wardrobe malfunction,” the 2004 edition of the show was never broadcast amid fears that it would draw backlash at a sensitive time.
  • In 2009 the company dabbled in the craze for reality TV, hosting a “Victoria’s Secret Model Search” where the winner got the opportunity to be featured in that year’s show.
  • In addition to being a fashion show, it is now arguably in the same league as Super Bowl, in being one of the top musical events of the year. Musicians lobby to be featured on the show, and tomorrow’s broadcast will feature Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, and The Weeknd.

Read more on Elle.