The History of the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show
The 2016 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show marks the 21st ever for the brand. Starting in 1995, the lingerie behemoth began putting on the runway show of the season, though it has gone through many different iterations since its inception. With humble beginnings at the Plaza Hotel, they've hit everywhere from New York City to London, Miami and even Cannes — and they’re headed to Paris this year. The VS Fashion Show is now quite the spectacular with musical guests, 40-pound Angel wings, and an army of 54 models walking this season (including 14 official Angels) but it didn't start out that way. Let’s take a trip down memory lane before the 2016 show airs on December 5.
1/23Scroll through for a look back at every Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in history.
WireImage2/231995: Plaza Hotel, New York City
Held in August, this was the first time Victoria’s Secret staged a show in a runway format. Stephanie Seymour opened the show and no one could have imagined how the event would change from then until now.
WireImage3/231996: Plaza Hotel, New York City
The show was moved to the Valentine’s Day season, when most people are shopping for lingerie. Despite the slight date change, the format of the show remained the same as the previous year.
WireImage4/231997: Plaza Hotel, New York City
This was the first year of the official Angel. Although Karen Mulder received the contracted title in 1996, Stephanie Seymour, Daniela Pestova, Tyra Banks, Helena Christensen joined the squad the following year.
WireImage5/231998: Plaza Hotel, New York City
Enter: Wings. Tyra Banks and Stephanie Seymour wore Angel wings that — while they were nothing like the wings we see on the runway now — were striking all the same.
WireImage6/231999: Cipriani Wall Street, New York City
For the first time since the show started, the public was able to see the girls walk the runway. The NYC-based show moved to Cirpriani Wall Street, and it was webcast. This was also the year Gisele Bundchen and Heidi Klum made their first of many VS Runway Show appearances.
Getty Images7/232000: Cannes Film Festival, France
Abandoning their regular pre-Valentine’s Day date, the show moved to Cannes in May to raise money for the Cinema Against AIDS charity. They raised $3.5 million — nearly $11 million less than the cost of the Fantasy Bra that year.
WireImage8/232001: Bryant Park, New York City
2001 was a big year of firsts: It was the first year that the show was moved right ahead of the Christmas season. It was the first season the Fantasy Bra made a runway appearance, worn by Heidi Klum. It was also the first year that the show was broadcast on national television (and on ABC for the only time in the show’s history). Because of fears of indecency, the sheer lingerie looks were blurred on TV. Mary J. Blige and Andrea Bocelli performed.
WireImage9/232002: Lexington Avenue Armory, New York City
The show moved from ABC to CBS, where it has remained for the last 13 years. Destiny’s Child, Marc Anthony, and Phil Collins all performed at what was quickly becoming a must-see show.
FilmMagic10/232003: Lexington Avenue Armory, New York City
The show began to really find its footing as the over-the-top production we have come to know and love, introducing more bright lights, crazy costumes, and jaw-dropping wings. Sting, Mary J. Blige, and Eve all performed at this year’s event.
Getty Images11/232004: Angels Across America Tour
Due to a crackdown on indecency on television following Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake’s Super Bowl XXXVII halftime show, this year’s VS Fashion Show was canceled. It was replaced instead by the “Angels Across America” tour. Tyra Banks, Heidi Klum, Gisele Bundchen, Adriana Lima, and Alessandra Ambrosio all went to New York, Miami, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles. Another fun fact? The 2004 Fantasy Bra was the first to actually be purchased.
WireImage12/232005: Lexington Avenue Armory, New York City
After 10 years at the company, Tyra Banks announced her departure from Victoria’s Secret, making this a farewell show of sorts. It was time to make way for the new class. Performances included Chris Botti, Ricky Martin, Seal, and the Rutgers University Drumline.
WireImage13/232006: Kodak Theater, Los Angeles
Victoria’s Secret spread its Angel wings this season and took to Los Angeles. The brand’s little sister line PINK made its debut on the runway this season. It was also Gisele Bundchen’s final season since her first walk in 2000. Justin Timberlake opened the show singing “Sexy Back.”
FilmMagic14/232007: Kodak Theater, Los Angeles
The show was again staged in LA, as the Angels got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on November 13, 2007. After announcing their comeback, the Spice Girls performed at the show, marking their first American TV appearance since they reunited. Kanye West was scheduled to perform in 2007, but had to cancel due to his mother’s untimely death, and will.i.am was called in his place. The show also featured a duet by Seal and his wife Heidi Klum who walked in the show, of course.
WireImage15/232008: Fountainbleau Hotel, Miami
To celebrate the grand re-opening of the Fountainbleau Hotel, the 2008 show was staged in Miami with performances by Usher and Jorge Moreno. This was the first time the show was set up with parallel runway seats like it is now.
WireImage16/232009: Lexington Avenue Armory, New York City
In 2009, Victoria’s Secret set out on their first ever competition-based “Victoria’s Secret Model Search” to find a new “runway Angel.” The winner was model Kylie Bisutti, who walked in the show that year. The Black Eyed Peas were the only performance guests at the show.
FilmMagic17/232010: Lexington Avenue Armory, New York City
For the 15th anniversary of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, some former Angels returned to the stage, like Karolina Kurkova and Izabel Goulart. The performances this year were Akon and Katy Perry, whose go-to costumes fit in quite well with the show's over-the-top glamour.
Getty Images18/232011: Lexington Avenue Armory, New York City
Kanye West finally appeared at the 2011 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. He performed, starting with his song “Stronger” and saying, “I was supposed to perform this song on the show…and I lost my superhero. Now she’s my super-angel.” Maroon 5, Jay-Z, and Nicki Minaj also performed.
Getty Images for SWAROVSKI ELEME19/232012: Lexington Avenue Armory, New York City
2012 marked the first major controversy for the company’s show (besides, of course, the constant battles over television decency). In a “Months of the Year” segment, Karlie Kloss walked in a Native American-inspired costume, meant to depict the month of November. It was cut from the show that aired on TV. 2012 was also the year that the second Fantasy Bra found a buyer. Rihanna, Justin Bieber, and Bruno Mars performed.
Getty Images for Swarovski20/232013: Lexington Avenue Armory, New York City
The musical performances expanded this year, with participation from Taylor Swift, A Great Big World, Fall Out Boy, the Rutgers University Drumline and Neon Jungle (in their US television debut). This year, all of the shoes were created by Nicholas Kirkwood.
Getty Images21/232014: Earl's Court, London
Jetting across the pond, the 2014 Victoria’s Secret Fashion show was held in London, with performances by Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, Ariana Grande, and Hozier. This year, there were not one, but two Fantasy Bras for the first time ever. They were worn by Angels Adriana Lima and Alessandra Ambrosio.
Getty Images for Victoria's Secret22/232015: Lexington Avenue Armory, New York City
Back in New York for a single year, performers Ellie Goulding, Selena Gomez, and The Weekend took part in the action. 2015 saw the induction of Teen Vogue favorites (and BFFS) Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid into the Victoria’s Secret squad. Off to Paris for 2016.
