TOP 10 VICTORIA SECRET ANGELS

Top Ten Victoria's Secret Fashion Show Models

Who will wear the crown along with the lingerie?

Miranda Kerr walks the runway during the 2009 Victoria's Secret fashion show at The Armory on November 19, 2009. - WireImage

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Victoria's Secret Casting Calls Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2009

Charlie Toft,  Nov 30, 2009 Enough about New Moon -- this is the week for the guys to drool a little. It's time for the airing of the annual Victoria's Secret Fashion Show (CBS, Tuesday 10 p.m.), which was held a couple of weeks ago. While the Black Eyed Peas were in attendance doing their thing (wherever there are cameras, the Peas will never be far away), the show is all about the models, both the veterans who helped make Victoria's Secret the biggest name in underwear and the up-and-comers who will be the dominant supermodels of the coming decade.
Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2009
Here's a highly scientific ranking of the top models in this year's fashion show. This list was compiled taking into consideration factors such as long and faithful service to the Victoria's Secret brand, celebrity achievement outside the runway, efforts made towards furthering world peace, and that intangible something called "the author really thinks she's hot."
10. Behati Prinsloo: Just out of her teens, this Namibian is a bigger name in Europe right now than in the States, but her association with Victoria's Secret is beginning to change that. She reminds me a little of Kate Moss -- and who wouldn't like a Kate Moss who can also fill out a bikini? The future looks bright for her.
9. Selita Ebanks: She's been on the fringe of truly massive fame for a few years now. Ebanks was once engaged to Nick Cannon, who ended up marrying someone much more famous instead. Now, she has apparently been cast in the coming season of The Apprentice, and reality shows are typically the province of retired or semi-retired models. She may have peaked, but it's been a fine peak.
8. Maryna Linchuk: How many thongs could a Linchuk chuck if a Linchuk could chuck thongs? This Byelorussian blonde has a slightly imperious look that may keep her from catching on as a massive star, but she took on greater prominence in this year's fashion show, so we're keeping our eyes on her. And speaking of eyes, Linchuk's baby blues are a sight to behold.
7. Doutzen Kroes: I'm not quite sure I get this girl. She works constantly, but there seems to be a lack of a distinct image here. Even when you consider her most prominent feature, her lips, Kroes is overshadowed by the likes of Karolina Kurkova. Victoria's Secret is a small part of what she does, so she'll be fine even if she proves too boring for the company in the long run.
6. Candice Swanepoel: The young South African is part of the new group of Victoria's Secret Angels, and word is that she truly earned her wings in this year's show. There's no one involved with Victoria's Secret who has a bad body, but Swanepoel's claim to fame (at least it will be once she's truly famous) is her face -- she is so pretty as to make her body almost irrelevant.
5. Ana Beatriz Barros: Barros has been associated with Victoria's Secret for most of the last decade, but even after all this time, there's something a bit unapproachable about her, almost as if she was royalty who was lowering herself to model for us. She may need a good tabloid scandal to get to the next level, but her current level is still mighty fine.
4. Marisa Miller: Her claim to fame at this level is that she brings a different look to the Victoria's Secret stage. Shorter and much curvier than a high fashion model, Miller transitioned from cheesecake stuff to the big time, and is still increasing in prominence at an age where most models are beginning to think about what comes next. She's the only Victoria's Secret Angel who is better known for her Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue appearances, which just goes to prove her versatility.
3. Alessandra Ambrosio: How do the Brazilians do it? There's not much of a gap between Ambrosio and her countrywoman Barros, but while Barros is more classically pretty, Ambrosio is ridiculously sultry. The woman was born to wear a swimsuit, but she's awfully strong in the lingerie area as well. Ambrosio is finishing up a full decade with Victoria's Secret; may her bra wave high during the 2010s as well.
2. Heidi Klum: Ambrosio won plaudits for returning to the fashion show in 2008 three months after having a baby, but Klum's feat this year -- coming back only six weeks after having a fourth child at age 36, and without having returned to her typical weight -- is an act of heroism they will be talking about forevermore wherever models gather to throw up. She is speeding toward the emeritus phase of her career, but Klum, like Christie Brinkley and Elle MacPherson before her, is a permanent fixture in lingerie lore.
1. Miranda Kerr: The stars have aligned for Kerr to take her place atop the modeling world. She has an approachable look. She has an adorable accent. She manages to come across as the girl next door even when she's strutting in a thong that provides almost complete rear exposure. She also has a dopey boyfriend in Orlando Bloom, so things aren't perfect. But she's as close as we're going to come in 2009.

OH HEIDI!

Heidi Klum wows crowd at Victoria's Secret show

NEW YORK — Heidi Klum and her post-baby body led the parade at the annual Victoria's Secret fashion show, which returned to New York with some fresh faces after four years on the road.
The lingerie retailer inducted five more women into its "Angel" ranks — a designation reserved for top models — in front of a packed house Thursday night at the Lexington Avenue Armory. They are Emanuela de Paula, Chanel Iman, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Lindsay Ellingson and Candice Swanepoel.
But Klum, who gave birth to a daughter five weeks ago, was the audience favorite in her purple corset covered with a half gown with poufs of tulle. She emerged from the huge, castlelike set to applause.
Musical guest The Black Eyed Peas — especially Fergie, its only female member, who wore a black, jeweled bodysuit — was another crowd-pleaser. She came out later in a green corset gown.
Of course, fashion really is secondary here. Victoria's Secret always puts on an elaborate production (this time with a choir, acrobatic dancers and a giant polka-dot dog balloon) and fuels hype about its models. An online model search started earlier this month and is now down to two contestants, one of whom will be chosen by the public to appear in the televised version of the fashion show that CBS will air Dec. 1.
"I could watch this online, but it's a fun scene," said Russell Simmons from his front row seat. "This show is always fun and a great production."
"It's always a spectacular," agreed costume designer Patricia Field. "Victoria's Secret does that extra thing I like."
Klum, who normally wears the most elaborate outfits, only appeared once so it was former Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover girl Marissa Miller who had the honor of wearing a $3 million, diamond-encrusted bra.
Splashy jewels, it seemed, were one of the themes of the show with many models dripping in diamonds, crystals and other bling — while others wore faux fur stoles over their bras and panties. Thigh-high boots were the other must-have accessory.
Outfits fell into one of four themes: Star Trooper with breast plates and body armor; Pink Planet, which had a hippie vibe; the ethereal Enchanted Forest; and Romantic Journey that featured a lot of lace.
Compared to previous years, the overall collection didn't seem as skimpy, although Miranda Kerr wore an itsy-bitsy black thong get-up that might have to be edited out of the TV show.

(Source: Associated Press)

MOVE OVER ADRIANA & ALESSANDRA, . . .MEET ALICIA!

Move over Adriana & Alessandra, there is A new Angel named Alicia. I met Alicia over a year ago and when she walked onto my set, I swore she was a relative of Adriana Lima. Her beautiful personality matched her sensational exotic model good looks. She was such a pleasure to work with. I said to her, why are you not working with Victoria Secret, and well, a year later, Ms. Hall is in the Top 10 competition to be the Next Victoria Secret Angel, but she needs your help! Go to www.vsallaccess.com. And place you vote for Alicia Hall. Want to know more about her? Read below and you will be sure to fall in love with this new angel!

Who is Alicia Hall?
Alicia Hall  (born in 1985) is an American model and winner of NBC's 2005 reality TV show Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model Search.


Hall was raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, and by the age of seven, becoming a swimsuit model was her lifelong career goal. Once she was old enough, Hall began appearing in local fashion shows. At the age of 13, encouraged by her mother and stepfather, she participated in her first professional photo shoot in October 1998 before winning a competition held by the John Robert Powers School, a well-established Las Vegas modeling institution where she then received formal training while working as a freelance web designer.

In January 2003, Hall competed on CBS's revival of Star Search, making it as far as the semi-finals in the model category.
Hall again took the reality TV path when she was chosen from thousands of applicants to be one of the 12 finalists on series Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model Search, which pitted aspiring models against one another in a six-episode modeling competition for a $1-million modeling contract with NEXT Model Management and a spread in SI's annual Swimsuit Issue. Hall made it to the final two, along with Shannon Hughes, and subsequently won.
She has since modeled for Skechers and is currently signed with Elite Model Management in Miami and Los Angeles^[1], Chic Model Management in Australia, DCM Models in Seoul, Satoru Models in Japan, Major Model Management in Paris, and Race Model Management in New York.
In 2009, Hall auditioned online for the Victoria's Secret Model Search. She has been chosen as one of the top 10 finalists that will compete to walk in the 2009 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.

OH YES! IT'S LADIES NIGHT!

Tonight's "Project Runway" brought the regular competition to a close with the last challenge -- and finalized the Fashion Week lineup. Going for the win in the Bryant Park tents will be: Irina, Althea, and Carol Hannah.

But first we need to look at how these three ended up in the winners circle -- and I'm sticking to the clothes, because the in-fighting is just boring and I'm over Irina and her complaining. For the record, I've thought this season was a bit underwhelming -- too many red-carpet frocks and not enough fashions created in the produce section of Whole Foods. Where are the drag queens?

Tonight's challenge was a variation on past themes -- drawing inspiration at a museum. But I do have to hand it to the show, because oh what a museum. Anyone who can't find inspiration at the Getty Center needs to check themselves for a pulse. It actually surprised me, though, that designers spent so much time inside. The Getty's collections are spectacular, but the setting is so amazing that the art is almost secondary.

At any rate, here's how it went down:

Althea, inspired by the architecture and flow of the buildings, made a dress with an elaborately constructed, pleated, overworked skirt that made the model look like she wore maybe a size 2 -- but what's worse is that she spent so much time belaboring the skirt that the flowy tank-style top of the dress looked like an afterthought at best. It was ambitious, but as the judges pointed out, ambition needs a plan to succeed, and this looked like a big mess. But as we know, risk-taking is encouraged.

Christopher went outside to a fountain for his inspiration, going with a gray palette with green undertones that were supposed to represent the algae on the rocks. He came up with a dress that was beautiful on top, with a high neck and no sleeves in a flowy print, weird in the middle with a corset, and unfathomable at the bottom with a long skirt of stiff fabric that barely moved with the model. Unusual inspiration is favored, but execution is key.

Carol Hannah took to an elaborate, light-blue French bed with swooping and draping brocade, and ended up with a beautifully fitted gold dress that bore little resemblance whatsoever to the shapes and materials that she saw -- except for some braided trim looping over the left shoulder. It was a stretch at best to try to link them together, but (a) she did heed Tim's warning and headed off what could've been a disaster, and (b) it fit the model like a glove. And we know that craftsmanship is rewarded.

Irina chose a painting called "Mischief and Repose" by John William Godward, shooting for a feeling of lushness, texture and diaphanous fabric. She ended up with a mint/seafoam green, knee-length concoction that resembled Grecian lines but without the tailoring or fit that Rami Kashou offered up in Season 4. The back was nice, but the length was dowdy, proclaimed the judges -- and Irina couldn't style her way out of a paper bag on this one. But you could see the inspiration, and that counts. And at least she dropped the idea for the fur wrap.

Gordana's dress was inspired by Monet's "The Portal of Rouen Cathedral in Morning Light," with its dreamy purples and doorway shapes. Her dress, a floor-length, strapless layering of colors of silk organza, definitely looked like the painting, but while it fit really nicely and the judges liked it, the front was pretty and the back was not. It also struck me as an awfully literal interpretation of the inspiration, and not ambitious enough for the final challenge.

Thanks to a panel including guest judges Cynthia Rowley (whose hair is beyond fabulous) and Cindy Crawford (who looks amazing but seemed thoroughly bored), our Final Three of Irina, Althea, and Carol Hannah is set. Now the question becomes how well each of them can pull together a collection worthy of Fashion Week.

What did you think? Did the judges make the right call, sending the three best designers to Fashion Week? Did you think the pot was introducing itself to the kettle when Irina called Althea "her highness"? Whose collection do you most look forward to seeing?

HEIDI'S SECRETS TO HOSTING

LOS ANGELES, Calif. --New mom Heidi Klum will be returning to the world of fashion just six weeks after giving birth to daughter Lou Samuel when she hosts the Victoria’s Secret fashion show, Access Hollywood has confirmed.


“Heidi is superwoman. She had a baby a few weeks ago and she is hosting the most high profile fashion show in the world,” Ed Razek, President and Chief Marketing Officer of Victoria’s Secret told People. “Victoria’s Secret is thrilled to have her back. There is no one like her.”


Heidi’s fellow Victoria’s Secret Angels are also happy to have her back – and not surprised to see her working so soon after giving birth.


“She can do it all,” model Alessandra Ambrosio told the mag. “She’s a great mom and she’s got so much going on. She’s an inspiration.”


Heidi on the other hand was coy about her return. When asked about her plans after giving birth to her fourth child with husband Seal, she told the mag, she wanted “to take it easy and see what happens.”

The annual lingerie and skinfest takes place on November 19 and will air on December 1 on CBS at 10 PM EST.

HEIDI KLUM GIVES HALLOWEEN COSTUME ADVICE!

NEW YORK, Oct 28, 2009 / — It’s only three days before Halloween and you’re still agonizing on what to wear. Well, you just came to the right place.
Heidi Klum, model, Victoria’s Secret angel, host of Project Runway and most of all, wife and mother tells her secret on how to be the sexiest cat and vampire.
Known for her adorable and fabulous Halloween parties, Heidi Klum shares makeup tips and costume ideas for the scariest night of the year.
1. Sexy cat. You can make a cat costume yourself with a few things. Get a leotard and some fabric paint at places like Pearl Paint (www.pearlpaint.com) or Michaels (www.michaels.com).
Then you can paint cat patterns right onto the leotard to make it more interesting. Buy a dog collar with a tag and put a fun message on it.
For example, when I was a cat in 2007, I put “If lost, please return to Seal.” You can also buy cat ears and a fake tail that can be attached with a few stitches or a safety pin.
Add in some sexy high heels or boots. Really go for it and paint your face like a sexy city cat. Don’t forget the whiskers!

Heidi Klum as a Vampire

2. Vampire. I love wearing fangs! Especially when they have blood dripping down them.
If you really want good fangs, think ahead and ask your dentist if he can make you some. That’s what I did and they fit your teeth perfectly! I take good care of them so I can wear them year after year.
Also, play with changing your look. If you are blond, go and get a great black wig. You can find one at Bob Kelly Wigs in NYC (212.819.0030) or Ricky’s (www.rickysnyc.com).
It’s good to invest in one amazing element of your costume. Wigs, especially, make a difference! It also helps you get into character.

More Halloween tips from Heidi Klum at:  Lifestyle.msn.com
Photos courtesy of Modelinia.com