Fewer wings, pricey bra

This year's Victoria's Secret Fashion Show sure kicked off with the money shot.

Held on Wednesday at the Lexington Armory in New York City, the annual lingerie extravaganza showcased its most anticipated outfit from the get-go.

Model Candice Swanepoel, 25, proudly walked the runway wearing the bejewelled US$10 million (S$12.5m) fantasy bra created specifically for her.

She looked absolutely stunning - rightly so, considering the price tag. But look south - beyond the matching belt - and that's where it got scary.

It seemed as if they ran out of budget to finish it off properly - the bottom half looked like regular, cheap red lacy panty available anywhere.

Worse still, it barely had enough material to cover Swanepoel's bikini line and was in danger of exposing her lady parts with every sashay.

Thankfully, she completed her task without any crotch-flashing incident.

Famed for its outlandish back pieces on the girls, the show seemed slightly tamer this year with just 28 pairs of wings out of the 67 outfits.

The six themes were Snow Angels, British Invasion, Shipwrecked, Parisian Nights, Pink Network and Birds Of Paradise.

Was Victoria's Secret trying to go for quality over quantity?

After all, US model Lindsay Ellingson, 28, debuted high-tech 3D-printed filigreed snowflake wings encrusted with millions of Swarovski crystals. Interesting in theory, but certainly not jaw-dropping in practice.

Then you have veteran Victoria's Secret Angel Adriana Lima, who showed she was a pro by pulling off four costume changes. The 32-year-old Brazilian even managed to look sexy in a dramatic red feathery get-up that looked like a tragic love-child of Elmo and Big Bird.

And that's what Victoria's Secret Fashion Shows are all about, right?

Pushing the boundaries of practicality and turning fantasies into reality.

US fashion model Karlie Kloss' striking psychedelic butterfly-esque piece resembled a five-year-old girl's bedsheet - though that was not a surprise considering the brand loves displaying its "cutesy" aspect.

But the biggest letdown had to be rising English model Cara Delevingne's get-up.

Where was the sex factor in the 21-year-old's sporty - and shockingly conservative - football-inspired outfit? And the "VS" ball she was holding was just lame.

It's Victoria's Secret, come on!

US singer Taylor Swift, 23, who turned up in Union Jack-inspired and sparkly silver mini-dresses, definitely fit in better than Delevingne.

The leggy blonde was there to perform her hit song I Knew You Were Trouble. She was the main performer at the event.

She held her own and even looked like she could pass off as an Angel.

Well, if the singing thing doesn't work out, Swift has an alternative career waiting.

Share your views with Catherine at crobert@sph.com.sg

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