History of Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in Timeline

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Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show was an annual promotional event for the lingerie brand Victoria's Secret, running from 1995 to 2018. The show featured "Victoria's Secret Angels" - models contracted to the company - and served as a high-profile marketing platform. The show was cancelled in 2019 following public pressure and the resignation of organizer Edward Razek. It returned in a rebranded format in 2023 as a Prime Video special titled "The Tour ‘23".

August 1995: First Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

The first Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, introduced by Stephanie Seymour, was held at the Plaza Hotel in New York City in August 1995.

1995: First Victoria's Secret Fashion Show Held

The first-ever Victoria's Secret Fashion Show graced the runway in 1995, marking the inception of an event that would redefine lingerie and captivate audiences worldwide.

1996: Million Dollar Miracle Bra Debuted

The Million Dollar Miracle Bra, a precursor to the Fantasy Bra, was introduced in 1996, marking a significant moment in lingerie and fashion history.

1998: Introduction of Wings

The iconic wings made their debut at the 1998 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, inspired by the success of the "Angels" bra line.

1999: First Victoria's Secret Fashion Show Webcast

The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show was webcast for the first time in 1999.

1999: Tyra Banks Sports the Million Dollar Miracle Bra

Tyra Banks graced the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show runway in 1999, donning the iconic Million Dollar Miracle Bra, originally showcased in 1996.

1999: Victoria's Secret Fashion Show Webcast Countdown

Victoria's Secret announced a 72-hour countdown to the webcast of their fashion show during Super Bowl XXXIII in 1999.

May 2000: Victoria's Secret Fashion Show at Cannes Film Festival

The May 2000 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show was held in France in sync with the Cannes Film Festival.

2000: Lack of Plus-Size Representation

Ed Razek stated that there was no viewer interest in a show featuring plus-size models, as they hadn't attempted one since 2000.

2000: Gisele Bündchen's Record-Breaking Fantasy Bra

Gisele Bündchen etched her name in fashion history in 2000 by wearing a $15 million Fantasy Bra, securing its place in the Guinness World Records as the priciest lingerie ever made.

2000: Second Year of Victoria's Secret Fashion Show Livestream

The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show was broadcast live on the internet in 2000.

2000: Second Victoria's Secret Fashion Show Webcast

The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show was webcast for the second time in 2000.

2001: Fantasy Bra Makes Runway Debut

Since 2001, the Fantasy Bra, a highly valuable, jewel-encrusted creation, took center stage at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Shows, becoming a symbolic representation of the event.

2001: Victoria's Secret Fashion Show Returns to New York City

The 2001 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show was held in New York City at Bryant Park.

2001: Victoria's Secret Fashion Show Debuts on Network Television

The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show made its broadcast debut on ABC in 2001.

2001: Peak Viewership for Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show reached its peak viewership in 2001.

2001: Victoria's Secret Fashion Show Sparks Controversy

The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show's first televised edition in 2001 faced criticism, with some deeming it pornographic and others labeling it as pure commercialism. Despite complaints, the FCC didn't impose fines, citing the First Amendment. Notably, ABC blurred revealing lingerie scenes during the broadcast.

2002: National Organization for Women Protests Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

In 2002, the National Organization for Women, alongside the Parents Television Council and other groups, protested the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, criticizing it as a "soft-core porn infomercial."

2002: Victoria's Secret Fashion Show Moves to CBS

The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show began airing on CBS in 2002.

2002: Victoria's Secret Fashion Show at Lexington Avenue Armory

The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show was held at the Lexington Avenue Armory in New York City in 2002.

2003: Thirteen Models Open the Show Over Nine Years

From 1995 to 2003, a select group of thirteen models earned the coveted spot of opening the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, setting the stage for the glamorous spectacle.

2003: Swarovski Outfit and Wings Become a Mainstay

Starting in 2003, the Victoria's Secret Fashion Shows introduced the dazzling "Swarovski Outfit" and "Swarovski Wings," adding a new dimension of sparkle and glamour to the event.

2004: Heavenly "70" Fantasy Bra Finds a Buyer

In 2004, the centerpiece of the Heavenly "70" Fantasy Bra was purchased, marking a rare instance of a Fantasy Bra finding a buyer.

2004: Cancellation of Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

The 2004 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show was canceled due to the fallout from the Super Bowl halftime show controversy.

2005: Last Victoria's Secret Fashion Show at Lexington Avenue Armory

2005 marked the last year that the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show was held at the Lexington Avenue Armory in New York City.

2005: Thirteen Models Open the Show Over Nine Years

Between 2005 and 2018, thirteen models continued the tradition, securing their places as opening acts for the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.

2005: Seventeen Models Close the Show Over Thirteen Years

From 2005 to 2018, seventeen models took on the prestigious role of closing the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, solidifying their positions as top models in the industry.

2006: Victoria's Secret Fashion Show at Kodak Theatre

The 2006 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show was held at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles.

2006: Debut of PINK at Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

Victoria's Secret's brand PINK debuted on the runway at the fashion show in 2006.

November 13, 2007: Victoria's Secret Angels Honored with Hollywood Walk of Fame Star

The Victoria's Secret Angels received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on November 13, 2007.

2007: Kanye West Scheduled to Perform at Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

Kanye West was scheduled to perform at the 2007 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show but his appearance was canceled.

2007: Spice Girls and will.i.am Perform at Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

The 2007 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show featured a performance by the Spice Girls and will.i.am.

2007: Victoria's Secret Reveals Prices for Fantasy Bra Sets

Victoria's Secret disclosed the prices for the 2007 Fantasy Bra sets, providing insight into the lavishness and value associated with these creations.

2008: Usher Performs at Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

The 2008 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show featured a performance by Usher.

2009: "Victoria's Secret Model Search" at Fashion Show

The 2009 Victoria's Secret Fashion show included the “Victoria's Secret Model Search”.

2009: American Decency Association Targets Victoria's Secret Fashion Show Sponsors

The American Decency Association spearheaded a campaign in 2009, urging boycotts of Victoria's Secret Fashion Show sponsors, including prominent names like AT&T, KFC, Netflix, Nikon, and Reebok.

2009: Damiani Designs the Harlequin Fantasy Bra

The renowned jewelry house Damiani lent its expertise to the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in 2009, crafting the exquisite $3 million Harlequin Fantasy Bra.

November 30, 2010: Katy Perry and Akon Perform at Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

The 2010 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show aired on CBS on November 30, 2010, and included performances by Katy Perry and Akon.

2010: Damiani Designs the Bombshell Fantasy Bra

In 2010, Damiani continued its collaboration with Victoria's Secret, designing the stunning $2 million Bombshell Fantasy Bra.

2011: Alessandra Ambrosio Dons a 60-Pound Swarovski Wing

Alessandra Ambrosio made a statement at the 2011 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, sporting a breathtaking 60-pound Swarovski wing adorned with 105,000 crystals, with a base crafted from 23-carat gold.

2011: Kanye West Performs Tribute at Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

Kanye West paid tribute to his late mother during his performance at the 2011 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.

2011: Victoria's Secret Celebrates Nine Years of Swarovski Collaboration

Marking a decade-long partnership, Victoria's Secret celebrated nine years of working with Swarovski in 2011, showcasing their collaborative creations on the runway.

2012: Floral Fantasy Bra Paired with a Luxurious Perfume Bottle

Adding another layer of extravagance to the 2012 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, the Floral Fantasy Bra was accompanied by a perfume bottle valued at $500,000.

2012: Cameron Russel Wears the "10th Anniversary" Swarovski Outfit

In 2012, Cameron Russell had the honor of wearing the special "10th Anniversary" Swarovski outfit, commemorating a decade of partnership between Victoria's Secret and Swarovski.

2012: Karlie Kloss's Outfit Sparks Controversy at Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

Karlie Kloss wore an outfit that was deemed culturally insensitive at the 2012 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.

2012: Floral Fantasy Bra and Gift Set Finds a Buyer

The 2012 Floral Fantasy Bra and Gift Set was successfully purchased, becoming another exception to the usual practice of dismantling Fantasy Bras.

2013: Victoria's Secret Reveals Prices for Fantasy Bra Sets

Following the trend set in 2007, Victoria's Secret unveiled the prices for the 2013 Fantasy Bra sets, further emphasizing the opulence of these pieces. Notably, the 2013 bra alone carried a value of $10 million.

2013: Lindsay Ellingson Showcases 3D-Printed Swarovski Outfit

Innovation met fashion in 2013 as Lindsay Ellingson donned a 3D-printed Swarovski outfit, embellished with intricate mini-micro Swarovski crystals, showcasing the brand's commitment to pushing boundaries.

2013: 2013 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

The 2013 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show featured performances by several artists. Taylor Swift sang "I Knew You Were Trouble," A Great Big World performed "Say Something," Neon Jungle debuted their song "Trouble," and Fall Out Boy performed "My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark" and "The Phoenix."

2014: CBS Crowns Victoria's Secret Fashion Show "The Super Bowl of Fashion"

In 2014, CBS bestowed the moniker "the Super Bowl of fashion" upon the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, recognizing its immense popularity and cultural impact.

2014: Two Fantasy Bras Take Center Stage

In a groundbreaking move, the 2014 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show featured two Fantasy Bras, worn by Alessandra Ambrosio and Adriana Lima, each valued at an astounding $2 million.

2014: 2014 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

The 2014 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show included performances by Taylor Swift ("Blank Space" and "Style"), Ed Sheeran ("Thinking Out Loud"), Ariana Grande ("Love Me Harder," "Bang Bang," "Break Free," and "Problem"), and Hozier ("Take Me to Church"). During the show, Ariana Grande was accidentally hit by Elsa Hosk's wings.

2014: Viewership Peak

The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show reached a viewership peak of 9.2 million in 2014.

2015: 2015 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

In 2015, The Weeknd performed "In the Night" and "Can't Feel My Face," Selena Gomez sang "Hands to Myself" and "Me & My Girls," and Ellie Goulding, replacing Rihanna who canceled, performed "Army" and "Love Me Like You Do."

2016: 2016 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

The 2016 show, held at the Grand Palais in Paris, featured performances by The Weeknd ("Starboy"), Lady Gaga ("Million Reasons," "A-Yo," and "John Wayne"), and Bruno Mars ("Chunky" and "24k Magic").

2017: Penultimate Victoria's Secret Fashion Show on CBS

2017 marked the penultimate year that the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show aired on CBS.

2017: Elsa Hosk Wears the 15th Anniversary Swarovski Outfit

Elsa Hosk was chosen to wear the dazzling 15th Anniversary Swarovski outfit in 2017, a testament to the enduring collaboration between Victoria's Secret and Swarovski. The outfit boasted a remarkable $1 million price tag.

2017: 2017 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

The 2017 show, held in Shanghai, was the first in Asia and featured a collaboration with Balmain. Performers included Harry Styles, Miguel, Jane Zhang, and Leslie Odom Jr. Katy Perry's performance was canceled due to visa issues, and model Gigi Hadid was denied entry.

November 2018: Ed Razek's Controversial Comments

In November 2018, Ed Razek, chief marketing officer, sparked controversy with comments about not casting trans women in the show, calling it "a fantasy." He later apologized.

December 2, 2018: Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2018

The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show aired on December 2, 2018.

December 7, 2018: Victoria's Secret Fashion Show Re-Aired

The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show was re-aired on December 7, 2018.

December 2018: Last Official Broadcast

The last official broadcast of the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show took place in December 2018.

2018: Brazilian Models Dominate Fantasy Bra Appearances

By 2018, Brazilian models had worn the coveted Fantasy Bra eight times, solidifying their prominence in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Shows.

2018: Viewership Decline

By 2018, viewership for the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show had fallen to 3.2 million.

2018: Victoria's Secret Fashion Show Returns to ABC

The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show returned to ABC for its final airing before cancellation in 2018.

2018: Last Victoria's Secret Fashion Show (before cancellation)

The final Victoria's Secret Fashion Show before its cancellation aired on ABC in 2018.

May 2019: Future of the Show Questioned

In May 2019, L Brands CEO Les Wexner questioned the show's future due to declining viewership and changing perceptions of the company's marketing.

August 2019: Ed Razek's Resignation

Ed Razek resigned from Victoria's Secret amidst criticism over his comments and business practices.

November 2019: Official Cancellation of Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

The official cancellation of the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show was announced in November 2019.

November 21, 2019: 2019 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show Canceled

On November 21, 2019, Victoria's Secret officially canceled the 2019 show due to declining viewership and a desire to reposition the brand.

2019: Cancellation of Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show was cancelled in 2019 due to declining ratings, sales, and criticism of the show's organizer.

March 5, 2023: Planning for a "New Version"

Victoria’s Secret chief financial officer Tim Johnson announced plans for a "new version" of the fashion show.

July 2023: Documentary Announcement

Victoria's Secret announced a documentary with Pulse Films, "The Victoria's Secret World Tour," to be released on Amazon Prime Video.

September 26, 2023: Premiere of "The Victoria's Secret World Tour"

"The Victoria's Secret World Tour," a documentary following the making of four Victoria's Secret curations, will premiere on Amazon Prime Video.

2023: Victoria's Secret Fashion Show Returns

The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show was rebranded as "The Tour ‘23" and aired as a Prime Video special in 2023.

May 15, 2024: Fashion Show Return Announcement

Victoria's Secret announced the return of the fashion show in fall 2024 via Instagram.

August 28, 2024: Host City and Host Announcement

New York City was announced as the host city for the return of the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, with Tyra Banks as the host.

2024: Victoria's Secret Announces Return of the Fashion Show

Victoria's Secret announced the return of the fashion show with an Instagram Reel featuring Tyra Banks in 2024.

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