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"The theme of the show is a return to glamour," said company CEO Sharen Turney. "Victoria's Secret is about sexy and the new sexy is glamorous for this season."
The catwalk glittered and two silver palm trees adorned the stage. Models showed 68 outfits, including the $5 million Black Diamond Fantasy Miracle Bra worn by Lima and designed by jeweler Martin Katz. It is decorated with white and black diamonds and rubies, and will be for sale in the company's catalog, Katz said.
"You could wear it as an open top," he said. "It looks like a finished top."
Lima said she was excited to be wearing it.
"I always wanted to wear the Fantasy Bra. It's the first time that Victoria's Secret makes a black diamond bra," Lima said. "A woman could definitely buy it if they love it and men too."
Themes in the show included glamorous goddesses and bold colors with geometric designs influenced from the 1920s. Professional dancers wore one-piece bathing suits for one segment and models got playful with Usher when he performed.
There were also designs from the youthful Pink collection, along with pastels, florals and a black tie theme.
Models wore gilded bras with Swarovski crystals attached. There was also a gold sculpted feather body piece that curved around the model's body. Metal sculpted laurel leaves were also worn around some of the models' necks.
Model Karolina Kurkova wore a bra and underwear in a diaphanous hand-dyed, pleated, draped gown with a leather belt and gilded feather jewelry. Meanwhile, Klum was in a cutaway evening gown of handprinted silk, tulle and duchess satin, decorated with red roses.
Another model wore a crystal yarn, knitted catsuit with a hard leather lacquer belt and boots by Pierre Hardy.
For the Pink collection, a model wore a recycled plastic bag jacket and skirt on top of a handknitted bra and boy briefs.
A model also walked down the runway in a quilted, velvet body corset embellished with ostrich feathers and crystals.
It's "a celebration of sophistication and elegance ... our way to do a new take on holiday celebrations," said Todd Thomas, the costume designer.
For the finale, Klum stepped onto the catwalk in a red bra, underwear and sparkling, red wings, which were made to resemble a bow on a present.
Wing designer Martin Izquierdo made seven pairs of wings for the show. He said he turned to Greek mythology, butterflies and even designed a pair with spiderwebs on rose branches that are composed of crystals.
Miranda Kerr, who wore the wings with the multicolored butterflies, said "it adds a whole theatrical aspect" to the show.
Meanwhile, celebrities spotted on the pink carpet included P. Diddy, Russell Simmons, Michelle Trachtenberg, John Stamos, Kim and Kourtney Kardashian and Martha Stewart.
"We watch the show every year on TV, so it's really cool to see it in person," Kim Kardashian said.
Debbie Harry said she likes the big production.
"The show, it's based on lingerie, but it's about creating an event," she said. "It's just a big, wild extravaganza and I think that's what attracts me."
Ed Razek, chief marketing officer and the show's executive producer, said each year's event has to top the one before.
"It's the most watched fashion show in the world," Razek said. "You've got an obligation to do a better show every year."
The show will air on CBS at Dec. 3 at 10 p.m. >>>>
Talk about “plastic” surgery (cue the sitcom laugh track): A 49-year-old British woman (and self-proclaimed “Real Life Barbie”) Sarah Burge has broken the world record for cosmetic procedures (she's had more than 100) in an effort to turn herself into a living doll. Her actions trump the previous record-holder, our own stateside “Barbie” Cindy Jackson, who also says her surgery obsession is spurred by her desire to look like the iconic Mattel toy. (FYI Jackson now seems to make a living through sales of her autobiography and microdermabrasion products, among other things) Now, I’m no doctor but…
I would think that this Barbie-copying business could be a sign of body dysmorphic disorder, where your perception of your physical appearance becomes very distorted. Granted, I could be wrong and these surgery fiends--with their good "I wanted to look just like Barbie-and now I do!" line--could just be incredibly PR-savvy. Either way, what really stumps me is why anyone would want to look like a plastic doll at all--she’s a toy, people! Why you’d tinker with yourself (and spend more than $800,000 as Burge has) to look more like what is essentially an inanimate object is beyond me. (This kind of behavior makes wrinkle-reduction surgery seem tame in comparison!)
What to see more of Burge's transformation? Click here--but be sure to come back and tell me what you think of her makeover!
What do you think? Can you believe these women are having surgery to look like a doll? Does this story make you sad? Does it make you mad? Do you think Burge really looks like Barbie? Did you want to look like the doll when you were little?
A piece of 27-year-old cake from the wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana has been sold to an anonymous bidder at auction for 1,200 pounds.
The slice of marzipan and icing -- decorated with the royal coat of arms -- came from one of 22 cakes distributed to royal staff after Charles and Diana's nuptials in July 1981.
It was given to Moyra Smith, a member of the Queen Mother's household, who kept the topping in cling film as a souvenir. When she died, her husband Don saw no reason to keep it.
"He had no particular feeling for it and will donate the money to several charities," said auctioneer Dominic Winter in Gloucestershire, who sold the item on Wednesday.
Winter, who usually deals in antique books, said on his website: "The slice of cake icing is in remarkably good condition considering the difficulties involved in removing this from the cake."
"A highly unusual -- and probably inedible -- collector's item." >>>>
I want a tattoo.
I wouldn't say all the people I know have one, but about 1/3. Here on the East coast, it's still somewhat taboo. When I lived on the West coast 10 years ago, just about everyone had one. But for me, it's not about keeping up with fashion, and rather, creating a portable work of art.
I'm an artist. I paint still lives, portraits and landscapes. I dabble in illustration and cartoons. I do it all. And for over a decade, I've been thinking about, planning and drawing what I want tattooed on my body. My ideas have changed and where I want the tattoo has changed; and I guess that's part of my problem.
Pain is not attractive to me either. I know some people grin and bear it, others have become accustomed if not addicted to the sensation. Probably not for my own good, as I've gotten older I've become fussy and afraid of the unknown.
Feeling the sting of age perhaps, three years ago I cut my long blonde hair short and dyed some strands hot pink. I was preparing to get a nose ring to go along with it, but my husband didn't find that attractive. I mean, I'm a free agent to do what I want and he'll still love me...but let's face it, who wants to gross out their spouse? He asked me what I'd do if I had a cold and blew my nose, with of course, the imaginable nasty consequences happening.
Back in college after a break up I shaved my head. Seriously. Few people I associate with now even believe me. I was a fan of punk and alternative rock, and hey, if Sinead O'Connor could do it, why not me? Surprisingly, my protest against everything men loved, and especially about me because my hair was long and blonde, drew more positive attention from the guys. It looked wild and kinky. The college guys went for it.
I grew it all back and then, here and there, have had short, medium or long do's. But I'm tired of playing with my hair. I want something that says I'm not an old fart yet.
Another caveat for me though : aging, flabby skin and a tattoo? Anyone ever see that hysterical Saturday Night Live skit where Amy Poehler is in a fake commercial, using a new product that removes tattoos? They use computer imaging to show a funny time lapse of a woman's tattooed lower back as it sags with age. Of course, by then, no one's going to be looking at me.
Should I do it? How painful is it? Maybe it's cooler to do when you're under 30.
Maria Sharapova's dresses may never make an appearance, nor the Williams sisters' bling, but table tennis is at least trying to sex up its sport.
Some women paddlers gave a nod of approval this week to suggestions from a senior governing body official to wear skirts during matches to make their game more stylish in an attempt to pull in the crowds.
"We are trying to push the players to use skirts and also nicer shirts, not the shirts that are made for men, but ones with more curves," International Table Tennis Federation vice-president Claude Bergeret said.
With loose-fitting shorts and baggy shirts the usual attire, table tennis, mostly played in bland gymnasiums around the world, has never had the glamour of women's tennis nor the sex appeal of beach volleyball.
Wang Chen of the
"Some players are already wearing skirts, I think it's a good idea, the game (already) looks more beautiful than before," said Wang.
"I think women should wear dresses like tennis players," the 34-year-old added. "I think our outfits are so boring, not sexy."
Wang said sexing up the uniforms would draw the crowds.
Plans to sex-up the image of a sport, which is an obsession in
At the 2007 Women's World Cup in
"Although the skirts are just a small part of the changes, they may spark a revolution by changing the image of table tennis," explained Steve Daiton, the Director of the ITTF Asia Office.
"It might be a revolution if women paddlers wear skirts during games just like tennis and badminton players, which will definitely help win back the lost interest in the game."
Not all fans are supportive of the idea.
"Don't get me wrong - as a healthy red-blooded male I'm all in favor of table tennis women wearing more attractive clothes," wrote one blogger on a table tennis fan website.
"But I'm not in favor of them being pushed or coerced into wearing outfits they aren't comfortable to play in. And how about the men? Why not bring in compulsory lycra bike pants instead of the baggy shorts many men wear currently?
"I'm sure our female audience would appreciate it. And don't forget the umpires and referees - a little black and white striped skintight number with sequins would surely boost ratings."
What's a woman to do when she's running to a date straight from the office?
Well, according to this article in the DailyMail (UK) and discussed over at Tango, she should wear this little number-a convertible dress designed to go from the office to the dance floor. By day it's a conservative, knee length black dress, which can be converted to a red-and-black combo that shows leg and cleavage.
What do you think? Sexy or not? Would you wear that, either to work or for play?
Funnily enough, I just showed a pal this pic, and she got a little bit upset. "I had the same idea 7 years ago, except I was going to call it whore-wear!" she exclaimed. Hmmm. Sometimes, it is all in the label.
Personally, when I know I have an after work date, I don't dress that much differently than I do for a day at the office, and I certainly do not go out of my way to show cleavage (especially not like that!) Normally, I wear some
Vanity Fair’s International Best-Dressed List is an excruciating pleasure. For the socially ambitious, reading it is the fashion equivalent of having hot wax drizzled over you by a fetishistic lover. You protest, you contort your face, but in the end you have to know what it feels like to go on. Maybe it is too easy to suggest this annual exercise should be renamed the “International Brown-Nose List.” The model and singer Carla Bruni has been dressing herself successfully at least since her years on the catwalk. But in February she became the First Lady of France—a position that may not affect her innate style, but makes her immeasurably more useful to the editors of Vanity Fair. Bienvenue sur la liste, madame!
But there is a lot to enjoy in this year’s line-up, much of it between the lines. Julia Koch is coyly described only as “mother of three,” but you can also call her Mrs. Billionaire David Koch. Kate Middleton (girlfriend of Prince William) and Michelle Obama probably deserve a military decoration along with their best-dressed honors, if only for maintaining style under fire. Artist, director and Graydon Carter bud Julian Schnabel—who for more than a year has worn pajamas to every public event, including the Academy Awards—is named a “fashion original.” But I can’t help thinking he owes a debt to his fellow West Villager, former Genovese crime family godfather Vincent Gigante, who strolled the very same streets in the mid 90s wearing slippers and a bathrobe. Who’s a mobster gotta whack to get some fashion props around here? It is also exciting to see serial honoree Fran Lebowitz, who has turned writer’s block into a career, elevated to the “Hall of Fame.” To the casual observer she has neither written a word nor changed her jacket in over 20 years. Now, that’s cool. >>>>
Stacy London, host of TLC's What Not to Wear, says that the perfect pair of jeans is one of the essential items in any women's wardrobe, and perhaps, the most difficult to find! Do you have trouble fitting your tall frame? Is your butt too big for most brands? Stacy's here to solve your denim dilemma—follow her advice to help find your new favorite jeans!
Best jeans for…
Tall women
For once, can a tall woman wear heels without looking like she's waiting for a flood? Stacy London, Oprah's jean expert, says that more and more companies are making jeans with a 36'' inseam. But, if you find a jean that you love, and they're a little too short…go ahead and take the hem out. Just be sure that the hem falls to the bottom of your heel in the back to avoid high-waters.
Best brands to try:
Rock & Republic
Notify
Habitual
Petite women
If you're vertically challenged, finding jeans that don't drag the floor can be an even bigger challenge! Stacy suggests some brands with shorter inseams, but she says you shouldn't be afraid to hem. As long as the jeans are straight leg, and not boot cut, they can be shortened and rehemmed with the same gold stitching—without destroying the shape of the jean. But, stay away from cuffed jeans, she stresses, they will only make you look shorter!
Best brands to try:
Banana Republic
Kasil
Jag
Caslon
Women with tummy troubles
Battling a belly bulge? Trying to hide your tummy? Stacy says a boot-cut jean can help to balance out a heavier mid-section. Women with a tummy typically have thinner limbs; the thicker your limbs, the worse a boot cut will look on you, she says. Look for a mid-rise, and make sure the jean hits across the belly, not above or below it. The width of trouser leg jeans can also help create a more balanced bodyline.
Best brands to try:
Seven
Citizens of Humanity
Gold Sign
Gap
Paige Premium
Levi's
ck
Marc
Women with large hips
Stacy says women with wide hips should stick with a mid-rise jean that is slightly on the lower side in order to fit around the widest part without creating love handles. Also, look for a straight leg or a trouser leg, which falls down from the hips to create a longer-looking leg line. Ladies with hips typically have thicker limbs, and straight-leg jeans help give the leg a uniform width. Boot-cut jeans only serve to highlight the thickness of the thigh in relation to the knee.
Best brands to try:
Cambio
Lucky
Banana Republic
Gap
Womyn
Tahari
Levi's
ck
Marc
Seven
Citizens of Humanity
AG
Diesel
Joe's Jeans
Women with big butts
The tricky part about buying jeans to fit a bootylicious backside is finding a rise that fits properly in the crotch. Stacy says there are jeans now that are made with a lower rise in the front and a higher rise in the back, which can help fit a larger tush. Stay away from any kind of flap pocket or pockets with heavy embellishment or embroidery—they only call attention to the rear. Instead, look for smaller or angled pockets to help camouflage and flatter the fanny.
Best brands to try:
James
Earnest Sewn
Seven
Citizens of Humanity
Women with flat butts
Looking to add some curves to your flat tush? Look for jeans with flap pockets, heavy embellishment or embroidery, Stacy says. Jeans with slightly higher back pockets can also help make the butt look lifted.
Best brands to try:
True Religion
Joe's Jeans
Top-heavy women
For top-heavy women, almost any brand will do, Stacy says. Just be sure to choose a jean that has a lighter wash, some bleaching on the leg or whiskering. Distressed denim helps add volume to the lower half without adding actual bulk and helps balance the body line.
Best brands to try:
Any brand!
Women whose jeans are too big in the rise
Stacy says if your jeans fit everywhere except the rise—that is, the crotch—it may be because you have a longer torso and shorter legs. If so, even if you are taller, try on a petite pair of the same jeans. You may find they fit infinitely better in the rise and the leg. >>>>
Before you leave the house in your favorite pair of jeans, stop and take a long look in the mirror. Is your backside sagging like a day-old diaper? Are your jeans so acid-washed they belong in an '80s music video? Do the tapered legs make you look like a walking ice cream cone? Could your waistband double as a push-up bra?
According to Oprah's in-house experts, about nine out of 10 women are wearing the wrong jeans. So, yes, that probably means you. To combat this out-of-control epidemic, Oprah asks Stacy London, host of TLC's What Not to Wear, to debunk denim myths and warn you about common fashion blunders.
What's the first jean hazard to watch out for? The dreaded "muffin top" or, as Oprah calls it, "dunlap" syndrome. "That's when your stomach done lap over your jeans," she jokes.
The "muffin top" is caused by a waistband that's too low and too tight. When your tummy spills over the sides of your jeans, you know you're a member of the muffin club.
But, there's good news for muffins everywhere, Stacy says. Waistlines are rising! The ultra-low rise fad is fading fast, and the new mid-rise styles will keep your belly from bulging.
Low-rise fans, hike up your pants and take note of Stacy's next warning. » Unless you have a tool belt strapped to your waist, there's no excuse for plumber's crack. Women who wear low-rise jeans are often guilty of this obscene offense, Stacy says.
Before you crouch, be sure to pull down your shirt and hike up your pants. Otherwise, a full moon may be rising in the grocery store aisles—for everyone to see!
Almost everyone loves ice cream… but who loves looking like an ice cream cone? » If you have thin ankles and you want to show them off, by all means, buy a tapered jean. But, keep in mind, tapered denim only accentuates the width of the hips. Plus, Stacy says, the tapered effect often leaves women looking like ice cream cones. Trust Stacy, go for the 31 flares—not flavors.
You don't have to be a mom to wear "mom jeans." » If the waistband of your jeans could double as a push-up bra or your backside looks flatter than a flapjack, you're guilty of wearing "mom jeans." Stacy thinks these high-waisted horrors are cardinal sins of fashion.
While moms may not want to wear their daughters' trendy, low-rise jeans, there are plenty of brands out there that cater to mature women with good fashion sense.
But, don't try to be too hip or else you may fall into the next category. » If you go for jeans that have a lot of bells and whistles, you may fall into the "fashion victim" category, Stacy warns. Don't fall for every new trend—skinny jeans and blue jeans tucked into boots may look good on your favorite celebrity, but not everyone can pull it off.
Stacy says patience—not fashion magazines—is the key to finding the perfect pair of jeans. "I feel terrible because women get so frustrated," she says. "They try on two pairs of jeans, and they say nothing fits me and they leave the store. You've got to try. And even if you don't get lucky after seven, if you get lucky after 20, it is worth it."
Next, Stacy debunks common denim myths. » Now that you know what jeans to avoid, Stacy wants to make sure every woman goes into the store armed with accurate information. She's here to set the record straight about common denim myths.
Myth 1: Boot cut is flattering on everyone. False, Stacy says. Petite women, in particular, should avoid boot-cut jeans, and wear jeans with a straighter leg. Stacy says if you're shorter than 5'4'', a boot cut may make your thighs look heavier by hugging the knees too tightly before flaring at the bottom. Boot-cut jeans can also make your legs look shorter.
The ideal body type for boot-cut pants is a woman taller than 5'4'' who has long legs.
Stop "stretching" the truth—Stacy shares myth 2. »
Myth 2: Stretch denim is always better.
"Well, not always," Stacy says. "Sometimes [stretch denim] can make your legs look like sausage in casing if it's too tight."
What's another reason to avoid stretchy fabric? Stacy says the skin-tight fit can give women "dimples" right below the tush. Her advice is to try on nonstretch, as well as stretch, to find the best fit.
The third myth is particularly distressing to Stacy. »
Sandra Saffle, Nordstrom's top bra fitter, helped Oprah's entire audience find the perfect fit, and now she wants to help you! Whether you're a 32AA or a 50J, she says these tips will help you find the right bra for your bust—big or small! Grab a tape measure and get going!
Once you know your measurements, consult Nordstrom's bra chart for the correct band size:
Where should you measure?
When measuring your chest to find the best band size, Nordstrom's top bra fitter Sandra Saffle says to make sure the measuring tape is secured low and snug on the back. Most women secure their bra band too high on the back, causing the band to ride up and the cup to fall forward. Also, make sure to lift the breast tissue up when measuring—that way the tape is snug on the rib cage.
If your bra band lies across your shoulder blades, you've got it all wrong, Sandra says. The band should fit around the smallest part of your back.
What should big-busted women watch out for?
Finding the right size isn't as simple for women with a bountiful bust. Sandra suggests that big-busted women lift their arms up after securing the bra band to make sure they are not dropping out of the bottom of the cup. If you have spillage, then your cup size is too small!
What's the deal with underwire?
Wire circumference is crucial, Sandra says. Your underwire should surround and support your breast—not poke into it! If the wire pulls away from the body in the center, then the cup size is too small.
To test your underwire, Sandra says you should sit down when trying on a bra. That's a great way to make sure your bra isn't pulling away from your body. The cups should be secure against the breasts with the center of the underwire flush against the cleavage area.
Are you in cup denial?
Ladies, admit it. You're probably in cup denial. Sandra says most women don't like to accept their true size. But, remember, your bra size is like your shoe size…if the shoe fits, nobody else needs to know the size!
You'll feel more comfortable and attractive in the correct cup size, whether it's an A or E, Sandra says. Like a new shoe, a new bra should also be a little snug at first. As the Lycra relaxes, your bra will become looser on the body.
What bras should petite women wear?
Women with a petite figure and a smaller bust should look for bras with defined cups. Although petites may not need heavy-duty support, Sandra says a structured cup helps accentuate the body's silhouette under clothing.
How does weight affect your bra's fit?
If your weight goes up or down by as little as five pounds, Sandra says it's time to refit your bra. When your clothing size changes, so does your cup size!
What types of bras should you buy?
You may have a favorite bra…but you shouldn't wear it both when you go out and when you work out! Nordstrom's bra expert says one bra style will not work for all fashions and functions.
You may not need a strapless bra, a sports bra and a bustier, but you should think about your lifestyle and wardrobe needs before buying a brassiere, Sandra says.
What's the best way to find a brassiere to revere?
Go see a certified bra fitter! Sandra says every brand fits a little differently, depending on the style and where it is manufactured. If you have professional help, you'll know what to look for when you visit the lingerie department alone. >>>>
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