The VS Fashion Show: Angels we miss

This month, mortal men and women are looking forward to the return of angels – Victoria’s Secret Angels, that is.

Since its pared-down origins in 1999, the Victoria’s Secret fashion show has grown bigger and more extravagant, becoming a true spectacle complete with orchestras, choreographed performances, Grammy-winning musicians, and diamond-encrusted bras worth up to US$15 million – a bit of splendor worn by Gisele Bündchen in 2000.

But the true show-stoppers are the Angels themselves – supermodels who are meticulously hand picked not just for their vital statistics but their overall celebrity factor.

To be selected as an Angel is considered a plum achievement in the modeling industry. Auditions are held every year, and the company reportedly turns down auditions from high-profile celebrities. Clearly, not everyone can wear those fabulous wings.

This year’s models include models du jour such as Miranda Kerr, Alessandra Ambrosio, Adriana Lima, and Behati Prinsloo.

Musical acts Taylor Swift, Fall Out Boy, and Neon Jungle will perform alongside these glamazons.

Before these new angels step onto the catwalk, let’s pay tribute to past Angels and take a look back at their memorable runway moments.

Who was your favorite Angel? You can vote by clicking on the photos below. – Rappler.com

Gisele Bündchen (2000-2007)

Gisele is widely credited for starting the “Brazilian Wave” of supermodels in the USA. At the turn of the millenium, she stood out among a sea of waif-like models with her bronzed curves and signature stomp dubbed the “horse walk.” In 2012, she earned the top spot on Forbes’ highest-earning models list. She is also a known environment advocate and was named a Goodwill Ambassador of the United Nations Environment Programme in 2009.

Tyra Banks (1997-2005)

Tyra was already a model for the lingerie line before the Angels’ official debut in 1999. After retiring from the catwalk in 2005, she proceeded to build her own mini media empire, comprised of The Tyra Banks Show and the long-running America’s Next Top Model. On both shows, Tyra actively sought to raise young girls’ self-esteem and to democratize the idea of beauty. She has won two Daytime Emmy Awards. She has also written a fantasy fiction novel called Modelland.

Laetitia Casta (1998-2000)

Laetitia was discovered at the age of 15 in her hometown Corsica in France. She was picked to be the cast model for “Marianne,” the symbolic figure for the French Republic that stands inside every Town Hall in France. After her stint on Victoria’s Secret, she became a critically-acclaimed actress in France, earning two Best Actress awards from different festivals. She recently returned to modelling by starring in a Dolce & Gabbana ad campaign.

Chanel Iman (2010-2012)

Chanel won 3rd place at the 2006 Ford Supermodel of the World contest. Her mother named her after the legendary Coco Chanel and started bringing her to modeling agencies when she was 13 years old. Her part-Korean, part-African-American heritage makes her one of the most stunning models in the Victoria’s Secret show. Aside from modelling, she now owns The Red Bag, a clothing boutique in California.

Jaime King (1998-1999)

Before Jaime King the actress, there was Jaime King, the model. Prior to appearing in movies such as White Chicks, Bulletproof Monk, and Sin City, she walked down the ramp wearing wings, glitter, lace, and not much else. Today, aside from continuing to hone her acting chops, Jaime has also written and directed two short films.

Heidi Klum (1999-2010)

Frau Heidi wears the crown (or is it wings?) for being the longest-running Angel in Victoria’s Secret history – she walked the ramp for a total of 11 times and hosted 4 of those shows as well. Aside from her enviable modelling career, Heidi is also an award-winning host for Project Runway. She has also created several ready-to-wear lines and dabbled in painting, sculpting, and singing.

Karolina Kurkova (2005-2008)

While most models usually get whittled down through Photoshop, Karolina usually has something added onto her body – a bellybutton. But during her stints as an Angel, she flaunts her navel-free stomach, which was later explained as a surgical complication from her childhood. During her last year on the VS show, she received public criticism for her sudden weight gain. She was later diagnosed with hypothyroidism and recovered soon after. She’s currently a coach on modeling reality show The Face along with Coco Rocha and Naomi Campbell.

Rosie Huntington-Whitely (2009-2011)

Rosie is the English Angel who is best known for her role in Transformers: Dark of The Moon. She had previously worked with director Michael Bay on a Victoria’s Secret commercial. Though the performance earned her three Golden Raspberry nominations the following year, Rosie had long redeemed herself by topping Maxim’s Hot 100 and FHM’s 2011 Sexiest Woman polls.

The Victoria’s Secret Fashion show will air on Colours channel Thursday, December 19 at 8PM. The VS fashion show is part of the Colours Glam Fest. Colours is the first local lifestyle TV destination on HD catering to the modern women and hip young moms.

Colours is available on Cignal channel 27 on SD, and 101 on HD.Subscribe to Cignal and enjoy must-watch shows in full-colour High Definition.