Everything you need to know about the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2017
THE Victoria’s Secret fashion show is happening in China on Monday, but there’s been loads of drama with some of the models, including Gigi Hadid.
THE annual Victoria’s Secret show is almost here, with dozens of the world’s hottest models getting ready to slash their calories and up their cardio in preparation for one of the biggest events on the fashion calendar.
This year the multi-million dollar publicity exercise for the lingerie brand has been full of drama, with models facing visa issues and other big names such as Gigi Hadid dropped from the lineup.
Here’s everything you need to know about the 2017 Victoria’s Secret fashion show.
THE DATE
The actual parade will be held on Monday November 20, but the show won’t be broadcast in the US until next week on Tuesday November 28 on CBS.
But don’t worry, all the pictures will come through very late on Monday night and we’ll have them all ready to go.
The show normally airs in Australia on Channel Nine, but we’re still waiting to hear back from them with a specific date.
THE LOCATION
In a sign that the global brand wants to focus on the burgeoning Asian market, the parade will be held in Shanghai.
The Angels have just landed in China’s biggest city and are about to begin rehearsals.
THE MODEL DRAMA
Several of the models scheduled to walk in Monday’s show have been denied entry into China due to visa issues.
At this stage, Julia Belyakova, Kate Grigorieva and Irina Sharipova from Russia, as well as Dasha Khlystun from Ukraine will not walk in the show.
Neither will Gigi Hadid who announced the last-minute news via Twitter on Friday.
I’m so bummed I won’t be able to make it to China this year. Love my VS family, and will be with all my girls in spirit!! Can't wait to tune in with everyone to see the beautiful show I know it will be, and already can't wait for next year! :) x
— Gigi Hadid (@GiGiHadid) November 16, 2017
She did not provide a specific reason, though it’s rumoured her absence may be due to a racially insensitive video she posted on Snapchat earlier this year.
In the video, Hadid was at a restaurant with friends and held up a cookie in the shape of Buddha, smiling and squinting in an attempt to mimic his features. It did not go down well on social media.
You are not welcomed to China.Your apology on weibo was insincere.
— Sauron (@Sauron94153400) September 2, 2017
Gigi Don't come to China🇨🇳 We don't need a racistðŸðŸðŸðŸðŸðŸðŸðŸðŸðŸðŸðŸðŸðŸðŸðŸðŸðŸðŸ #gigihadid #victoriassecret… https://t.co/7bzs3hvihy
— LucasWon (@wangqiqiang) August 29, 2017
THE PERFORMERS
The Victoria’s Secret parade is famous for attracting some of the world's biggest pop stars to perform on the runway, including Taylor Swift, Rihanna and Justin Bieber.
This year Katy Perry, Harry Styles and American singer Miguel are rumoured to perform, but nothing has been officially confirmed yet.
If Styles does show, it could make things awkward for his reported ex-girlfriend, Kiwi model Georgia Fowler, who is walking the runway this year.
Styles’ hit song Kiwi is rumoured to be about Fowler, but the 25-year-old has denied the claims.
The song includes the lyric “I think she said ‘I’m having your baby, it’s none of your business’”.
“Ah, don’t really know anything about it,” Fowler said on Channel Seven’s The Morning Show earlier this month.
“Definitely don’t have a baby... that’s what the song is all about,” she added.
THE FANTASY BRA
For the unitiated, every year the brand selects a model to wear a stunning, intricate lingerie set called the Fantasty Bra. It’s usually made entirely from diamonds or precious stones and is considered a great honour.
This year Brazilian model Lais Ribeiro will wear the Champagne Nights Fantasy Bra, rumoured to be worth more than $2 million.
THE MODELS, INCLUDING THE AUSSIES
The usual big players will be strutting down the runway, including Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio, Candice Swanepoel, Lily Aldridge, Bella Hadid, Elsa Hosk, Josephine Skriver, and Martha Hunt.
But there are some keys names that won’t be appearing. As well as Gigi Hadid, Kendall Jenner and Aussies Shanina Shayk and Bridget Malcolm will be absent.
Jenner won’t be appearing because she has a lucrative contract with rival lingerie brand La Perla. Jenner’s good pal Hailey Baldwin was papped auditioning for the show but appears to have missed out on being cast.
Aussies Victoria Lee and Victoria’s Secret regular Kelly Gale have been selected to walk this year, continuing the long history of Australians participating in the show.
Lee is from Narrandera, the small town in NSW with a population of just 3800 and says walking in the show is her dream gig.
“I didn’t have a strategy other than to be myself which can be difficult when you have giant butterflies in your stomach,” Lee told The Daily Telegraphin August after she was cast.
“This means so much to me. To think of the amazing lineage of previous Victoria’s Secret models, it’s incredible to be included. But also a testament to what dedication, perseverance and a wonderful support network can lead to.”
rebecca.sullivan@news.com.au