After more than 10 years covering the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show for work, including one trip to China, we thought we were pros at cramming into a packed event space to watch a 42-minute parade of the world’s most famous models strut down a confetti-strewn runway in tiny underwear clothes and huge wings. It turns out the hair isn’t the only thing that’s changed about the much-hyped event (where were all the extensions?!). For starters, we’re moms. Cool moms, but moms.
We both commute from the suburbs and since this was supposed to be a late night (10pm is late when you’re on call 5-9am before your 9-5 job) we got a hotel room at the Four Seasons Downtown so we had a place to work before and after the show, then close the laptops and crash (in beds so comfortable, we’re still talking about refinancing our homes to buy them) .
We also decided to introduce pro glam because when you’re going to spend an evening watching models walk around in their underpants, it helps you look and feel your best. Enter celebrity hairstylist Lacy Redway with the world’s largest trunk of curling irons and Nexxus styling products (she gave us the amazing waves that were missing from the runway!), plus Nars makeup artist Justin LaMonte.
The best photos from the 2024 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show: including what you didn’t see on TV
An hour and all the concealer in Manhattan later, we were on our way to the show. We arrived right on time despite taking the scenic route around the Brooklyn Navy Yard.
Here are some takeaways from our Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2.0 trip:
- With hundreds in attendance, including celebrities like Cardi B and Jodie Turner-Smith, influencers like The Olivias (Olivia Culpo and Olivia Ponton) and The Real Housewives of New York (Hi, Ubah and Jenna!), no one’s watching (but still get the glam!).
- The show doesn’t have an official dress code, but we know from past experience that people rely on the sexiness of it all. Six years ago, that meant some cuts. Now, that means a sparkly mosquito net over a thong. We both had jackets on and looked like Cardi B’s security detail.
- It’s no surprise that they don’t serve food at the show. But there’s something about looking at models in their underpants that makes you hungry. We came prepared with granola bars.
- Everyone’s a content creator these days, which means a must-have accessory on the red carpet is a ring light. If you are not a BYORL (Bring Your Own Ring Light) you are left in the dark. Literally.
- Even fashionistas aren’t too cool to scream and sing along to “Believe.”
- Supermodel husbands put dance moms to shame (looking at you, Dylan Sprouse!)
- Just like in an airplane, knowing how to get out of these things is key. In this case, our escape route involved a 10-minute golf cart ride that stopped on a street corner in Brooklyn. That trip gave us enough time to plan all the food we would eat when we got back to the hotel (burgers, fries, caesar salad and cocktails of course).
- You’ll look back at all the content you’ve captured and realize you have a dozen Gigi Hadid videos, but not a single good photo of yourself.
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education