Highlights from the 2011 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

Last night’s show, the 16th annual event for the high street lingerie powerhouse, offered no hard clues. What is certain, though, is that it’s the company’s marketing juggernaut. There is a reason the executives put on a show that costs $12million to produce, and it’s not just for the fun of it.

See the Victoria’s Secret fashion show

“It’s Show Time” was the theme of this year’s pageant, divided into six vignettes. Kanye West performed and he introduced a surprise appearance and performance by Jay-Z. The two hip-hop stars sang as top models Adriana Lima, Karlie Kloss (her first time in the show) and Erin Heatherton strutted up and down the silver glitter catwalk dressed as supermodel superheroes.

Victoria’s Secret Angels over the years

Unlike most fashion week runway shows, where dour faced models tend to walk passionlessly up and down so as not to distract from the clothes, here the models are encouraged to wink, wave, blow kisses and whoop up the crowd. At the end of the runway, there is more winking, wiggling – and at one point Joan Smalls pulled the rip-cord on her costume and a silver parachute inflated around her shoulders. Alessandra Ambrosio wore gold-plated wings that weighed 22lbs and were decorated with 105,000 Swarovski crystals.

What does it take to be a Victoria’s Secret Angel?

Orlando Bloom, in the front row, stood to cheer and clap his wife Miranda Kerr’s appearance in a Victoria’s Secret “Very Sexy” bra and knickers accessorised with a custom-made silk wrap and tutu. The designers had commissioned red ballet style shoes with ribbons criss-crossed up the models’ legs. Kerr’s came undone and she left the runway with ribbons trailing behind her.

Miranda Kerr reveals her $2.5million Victoria’s Secret ‘Fantasy Bra’

Maroon 5 performed their current single “Moves Like Jagger” during the “Angels Aquatic” themed portion of the show. Adam Levine hammed it up on the runway, cooing at his model girlfriend Anne Vyalitsyna and then held her hand as she walked the runway. Carine Roitfeld, Julia Restoin-Roitfeld and Patrick Demarchelier cheered and danced in the front row.
Straight men at fashion shows are a rarity, but last night they were out in full force. Self-respecting fashion people do not greet each other with the words, “What’s up, dude” but junior Wall Street bankers in conservative suits do. The crowd was full of aspiring Gordon Gekkos.

Behind the scenes at the Victoria’s Secret fitting with Adriana Lima

The booming voice announcing the start of the show called it “an unforgettable entertainment experience… with the world’s most beautiful women and the hottest musical acts.” In all the hype, it’s easy to forget this is a company that began by simply selling bras and knickers.

BY MELISSA WHITWORTH | 10 NOVEMBER 2011
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Commandments

Even the best suits need altering. Pants need to be shortened, jackets need to be brought in, sleeves need to be narrowed (yes, you can ask your tailor to slim down your sleeves), and buttons need to be realigned with buttonholes (most guys’ shoulders aren’t entirely even, meaning your jacket often sits a bit askew). You should always buy your correct size, but you then need to have a tailor customize it to your body. It’s the difference between being appropriately dressed and being stylishly dressed.

2. Thou shalt wear sneakers made for a man

It’s fine to own crosstrainers and running shoes and hightops. But save them for the gym. When you’re on the street, keep your sneakers simple and classic. Go for ones like Stan Smiths, Jack Purcells, and Sambas. They work with everything, including suits.

3. Thou shalt invest in the right timepiece

Buy a high-quality stainless-steel watch. It looks as right with jeans as it does with your best blazer.

4. Thou shalt match your socks with your suit

When choosing socks, the basic rule is to consider the suit instead of the shoe—in other words, if you’re wearing a navy suit with black shoes, reach for navy socks. And when wearing a light suit, make sure the socks are darker than the suit but a shade or so lighter than the shoes.

5. Thou shalt not wear a tie that is too slim

Unless you’re a hard-core fashion guy who favors a superskinny tie, stick with one that measures about three inches at its widest point. It will be narrower than traditional ties, but not by too much. Tie one on and you’ll look modern and sophisticated.

6. Thou shalt put your wallet on a diet

Your wallet should not be as fat as a burrito. In fact, you should get rid of your wallet and, while you’re at it, trash all the receipts, video cards, and other unnecessary crap that’s stuffed in it. Buy an elegant, slim leather credit card holder and stock it with your essential cards. Then, fold your cash in a money clip. All that other nonsense can go in your desk drawer. You don’t need it.

7. Thou shalt wear the right tie with the right tux

Two points to remember: (1) A bow tie goes best with a peak-lapel tuxedo, while a straight tie works better with a notch lapel. (2) Regardless of what kind of tie you’re wearing, make sure the fabric matches the lapel. If your lapel is grosgrain, your tie should be grosgrain. If your lapel is satin, your tie should be satin. And one more thing: Your tie (no matter its shape) should be black. Colored ties are for the prom.

8. Thou shalt wear brown shoes—with nearly everything

Black dress shoes are easy—they’re understated and tasteful. Brown dress shoes up the style factor. People notice them. They go best with gray, khaki, or navy. Dark brown shoes are easier to pull off than light brown ones.

9. Thou shalt learn when to cuff ‘em

If you’re wearing a trim, modern suit with flat-front pants—the kind often shown in this magazine—you should not cuff your pants. However, if you’re a guy who likes a classic suit with a single pleat, go for a cuff—but not more than one and a half inches deep.

10. Remember thy undershirt

This one’s tricky. If you’re wearing a conventional white broadcloth dress shirt (which means it’s fairly see-through), you have two options: Skip the undershirt and you’ll look clean and stylish. Or, if you’re a hairy guy who perspires a lot and you feel safer in an undershirt, wear a crewneck. The lines of a V-neck or tank top will be visible beneath your shirt and tie and you’ll look cheesy. If you prefer a V-neck or tank top, you might consider other dress shirts. Go for ones with checks or stripes, which make an undershirt less visible. Or opt for hardier fabrics, like an oxford cloth, which make undershirts all but invisible.

Naughty Pump

The Oscars have past and we  were very excited to see the elegant dresses, sparkling jewels and of course the gorgeous heels make their way down the red carpet. And when you think of Oscar shoes, you can’t help but to think of Stuart Weitzman and the legendary million dollar shoe. Unfortunately, there wasn’t a million dollar shoe to gawk over but Weitzman released the Red Carpet Collection, featuring over 35 lust worthy styles for the Oscars.

What is a Dandy?

A gentleman is defined by principles. Do not clothes define principles in a man of gentle nature?

However your class will often govern, because you wish to announce, you’re either subversive or not and the world should know that.

Therefore clothing becomes a way of expressing your philosophical or political beliefs. Or you’re just protecting yourself from the elements, being functional, or can’t afford to lash out.

But let’s not forget from where the path to Manhood began. Remember the lectures from Mom: “Cleanliness is Next to Godliness”, “Manners Maketh the Man”, “Respect Your Elders”, “Honesty is the Best Policy”, “Clean Your Finger Nails”, “Wash Behind Your Ears” and “Don’t Forget Your Handkerchief.” Then came along the girlfriend who said she’d love you truly, but someone pulled away the gang plank and life plunged you cruelly.

Moms prepare their sons for the burdensome life ahead. She arms them with a set of principles to guide, foundational to a true gentleman. Not unlike the tie Mom bought you while you were in high school, now left to hang darkly never to see the light of day.

Well open up your wardrobe because silk ties have never been far from the catwalks. Traditionalists wear nothing other than stripes, justly so, in keeping with their past education or even regimental status an untainted style.

Then there is “Dandyism”, which comes and goes like the tide. The tide nigh on the crest of the wave, men’s jewelry not just cufflinks but bracelets too.

Now, a sincere Dandy will have at his fingertips a fine silk handkerchief draped and after flitting around upon placing it in breast pocket, it is transformed into a pocket square. Just another form of decoration, but functional. The correct size 300mm x 300mm, imperial measurements one foot square, it must be silk. Don’t forget the cufflinks. Even while Beau Brummell’s ashes were being scattered, “Dandyism” lived on.

“The well-dressed man about town should wear clothes that are simple, functional, and discreet” said George Bryan “Beau” Brummell in the early 19th century. By advocating well-cut tailored clothes, Brummell essentially invented what has come to be known as the “British look.”

Brummell rejected 18th century frills (Dandy Man). His mandate a dark blue coat, buff-colored pantaloons, waistcoat, black boots, and a clean white neck cloth survives today with the dark business suit, white shirt, and silk tie.

He was particularly adamant about the whiteness of his cravats. As he made his daily rounds from the park, various gentleman’s clubs, and fashionable homes Brummell would stop and change his cravat as often as three times a day. He preferred neck cloths that were lightly starched and carefully folded.

The simplicity of Brummell’s uniform was adopted by everyone from many working men to his friend, the Prince Regent, later King George IV. For the first time poorer men hoping to make their way in the world could easily imitate upper class fashion.

Then, like now, the dark suit and tie “Dandy Outfit” has its place in society and you don’t need to be a gentleman to wear either.

But let’s fall back on all the things Mom would preach: It’s all history

[Photo: Tuxedo by Tom Ford]