OK, total confession: Despite my Laura Mulvey-ascribing, 1990s Alanis Morisette-listening, Katherine Heigl-loving personality, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. Back in grad school, when I couldn’t afford cable and lived in the mountains, I forced my cable-subscribing friends to put up with my inner faux-wing-wearing, pink-heel-rocking self.
Since I started watching in 2001, the show has struggled to make a short fashion show longer from using Rupert Everett as a behind-the-scenes interviewer to creating a mini-Victoria’s Secrets Next Top Model-like segment. This year, the show did better without gimmicks. It opened up into the show directly and afterwards alternated between behind-the-scenes and themed catwalk segments.
Each runway set focused on a specific theme: carousel, country gingham, angel, sports, tribal, and PINK . While I know that censor difficulties caused Victoria’s Secret’s designers to create accompanying robe, skirt, and torso coverings (allegedly, making the models seem less ‘naked’), I’ve always felt both the coverings and set design added to the fantasy. My hat is off to Todd Thomas for his phantasmagorical images. Seriously, I wish they sold the gold starred thigh highs, the transparent gingham split-front robe, and the red sequined messenger bag in reality. Plus, I LOVED the set designer’s quixotic sense of illusory fun. Seriously. LOOK at these images. Who didn’t enjoy the suspended cosmic lights during Akon’s catwalk?
So, what did I think of this year’s show? ‘Effin awesome. It seemed more even-tempered than previous attempts and didn’t try to “keep up with the Jones’.” I even enjoyed the behind-the-scenes segments featuring each model describing what she “really” thought about the others (i.e. she’s “sexy,” has “great eyes,” and is “hot”), a model describing her mental preparation process, and a background on the wings. I thought I’d miss old favorites such as Tyra Banks, Laetitia Casta, Heidi Klum, Naomi Campbell, and Marissa Miller but, surprisingly, I didn’t. The “what I think about Alessandra/Chanel/etc.” portion served as a nice bit of positivism, even if it possibly isn’t true. They’re also making good use of up-and-coming model Chanel Iman (the only model unilaterally described as “sweet”). She opened Akon’s catwalk segment, closed the PINK one, and featured in the mini-segments. Considering she has a New York Times feature article, a Vogue cover , and several Dolce & Gabbana/Valentino/Dior/Ralph Lauren/Diane von Fürstenberg/Jean Paul Gaultier runways under her belt, she seemed surprisingly humble. Honestly, I’d rather see a grounded, professional model than several untalented wannabes describing their alleged talent, as we partially experienced last year. Speaking of wannabes, I’m surprised Tyra’s show and Victoria’s Secret haven’t cross-promoted, yet.
Both Katy Perry and Akon did decent jobs. Although I wasn’t crazy about Perry’s first song, it showed off her vocal capabilities and her amazing gorgeousness. The opening of her second song seemed off, but it shifted into a compilation of her best hits. I really liked Akon’s Angel song. And, dude looked smooth in his tuxedo. Also, the male dancers totally brought it, including Perry’s backup dancers, the male gymnasts, and the tribal dancers. The fun-loving finale featured the women kicking foil balloons down the runway. Honestly, it was a great night of fun. While 500 organizations might write letters protesting the glittery awesomeness, I invite them to look at the beautiful designs, the celebration of fun, and the gold sequined runway. Is it confection? Sure. Artificial? Probably. Diet-inducing? ‘eff, yea. Do I care? Ask me later.
Right now I’m enjoying the glitter and gold.
Clacked by An Nicholson 
on Dec 01, 2010 @ 10:00 EST5EDT
