 | « Back to article | Print this article |
VOTE: Sensual sirens in lingerie costing millions!
Each year, the annual Victoria's Secret Fashion Show features a showstopping 'Fantasy Bra' crafted from real jewels and worth millions of dollars. Here's a look at the hottest pieces modelled by the likes of Heidi Klum, Adriana Lima and Miranda Kerr over the years -- vote for your favourite!
Do you know the price of the most expensive lingerie item ever created, which earned a place in the Guinness Book of World Records?
Or that German supermodel Heidi Klum is the only Victoria's Secret Angel ever to have modelled three bejewelled bras for the brand?
In the following pages, we bring you the most iconic jewelled Fantasy Bras ever seen on the runway, with a lowdown on their price tags, the precious stones they contained, who designed them and of course, the beautiful catwalk queens who wore them.
Take our poll and let us know which you think was the sexiest!
2000: $15 million Red Hot Fantasy Bra, modelled by Gisele Bundchen
Although she wasn't the richest supermodel in the world back then, Gisele Bundchen did model the most expensive lingerie ever made, a record that stands to date.
The Red Hot Fantasy Bra by Victoria's Secret that she donned in 2000 contained 1,300 precious stones and a total of 300 carats worth of Thai rubies stitched onto red satin. It was designed by exclusive multinational jewellery and timepiece label Mouawad.
Move on to the next slide and register your votes on the last page of the slideshow.
Click here for the Victoria's Secret 2012 Fashion Show!
2001: $12.5 million Heavenly Star Bra, modelled by Heidi Klum
The next year, German bombshell Heidi took over from Gisele with the Heavenly Star Bra, a 1,200 Sri Lankan pink sapphire affair with a whopping 90-carat emerald-cut diamond at the centre; it was this stone alone that cost $10.6 million, nevermind the rest of them!
It took a reported 275 hours to create this bra, and for an additional $750,000, one could even purchase a pair of matching briefs.
Move on to the next slide and register your votes on the last page of the slideshow.
2002: $10 million Star of Victoria Fantasy Bra, modelled by Karolina Kurkova
In 2002, Czech stunner Karolina sashayed down the VS ramp in this, the Star of Victoria Fantasy bra.
Crafted from 1,150 ruby roses and 1,600 emerald leaves, it was tagged at $10 million. The centrestone was the 60-carat Mouawad Mondera diamond and as you can guess from its name, it was jeweller Mouawad who created it.
Move on to the next slide and register your votes on the last page of the slideshow.
2003: $11 million Very Sexy Fantasy Bra, modelled by Heidi Klum
Heidi was the Angel of choice once again the following year for yet another jewelled lingerie number.
This time around it was the Very Sexy Fantasy Bra, which outdid the one worn by Karolina the previous year, in that the centrestone was a whole 10 carats larger -- the 70-carat Mouawad Excelsior diamond.
It featured another 2,800 gems and reportedly took 370 hours to make.
Move on to the next slide and register your votes on the last page of the slideshow.
2004: $10 million Heavenly 70 Fantasy Bra, modelled by Tyra Banks
The sultry Tyra Banks was honoured to pose in 2004 wearing the Heavenly 70 Fantasy Bra by Victoria's Secret.
This particular piece boasted of 2,900 diamonds set in 10-carat white gold, with a flawless 70-carat pear-shaped diamond in the middle.
It is worth noting that while none of the VS jewelled lingerie has ever been sold (they are dismantled after the holiday season), the centrepiece from this particular bra did find a buyer.
Move on to the next slide and register your votes on the last page of the slideshow.
2005: $12.5 million Sexy Splendor Fantasy Bra, modelled by Gisele Bundchen
It was Gisele's turn yet again the next year, with the Sexy Splendor Fantasy.
Crafted from 18-carat white gold, it showed off 2,900 pave set diamonds, 22 ruby gemstones and a massive 101-carat pear-shaped diamond suspended from the centre.
This was Mouawad's fifth jewelled piece designed for the lingerie giant.
Move on to the next slide and register your votes on the last page of the slideshow.
2006: $6.5 million Hearts On Fire Diamond Fantasy Bra, modelled by Karolina Kurkova
Karolina was back in the spotlight in 2006, although the budget for the extravagant Fantasy showstoppers nosedived to half as much in previous years.
Created by Hearts On Fire jewellers, the Hearts On Fire Diamond Fantasy Bra was studded with 2,000 diamonds that needed more than 20,000 hours to cut and polish to perfection; the bra itself took more than 300 hours of work. At the centre was a 10-carat diamond brooch with a Victorian floral motif.
Move on to the next slide and register your votes on the last page of the slideshow.
2007: $4.5 million Holiday Fantasy Bra, modelled by Selita Ebanks
It was time for a new face in 2007, and Cayman-born Angel Selita Ebanks stepped up to model the Holiday Fantasy Bra.
Victoria's Secret returned to jeweller Mouawad for this festive creation, which showed off 9,000 diamonds and gems that were set in a pattern of holly, poinsettias and holiday ribbons.
Moreover, for $4.5 million, it wasn't only the bra that was included, but also a bejewelled thong, garter, cuff bracelet and hair ornament.
Move on to the next slide and register your votes on the last page of the slideshow.
2008: $5 million Black Diamond Fantasy Miracle Bra, modelled by Adriana Lima
Brazilian beauty Adriana Lima was picked to don the Black Diamond Fantasy Miracle Bra in 2008.
It was jeweller Martin Katz who designed this one and it oozed dark seduction with its 3,575 black diamonds, 117 one-carat round brilliant diamonds and 34 rubies. Two black diamond drops with a combined weight of 100 carats hung down from the centre.
Move on to the next slide and register your votes on the last page of the slideshow.
2009: $3 million Harlequin Fantasy Bra, modelled by Marisa Miller
The alluring Marisa Miller was the million dollar muse in 2009, catwalking in this sexy, pricey bra created by Damiani jewellers.
Hand-set with 2,350 white, champagne and cognac-coloured diamonds, it also featured a heart-shaped 16-carat champagne diamond hanging down the middle.
Interestingly, this bra was a convertible and could be worn five different ways -- strapless, halter, crossback, one-strap or classic.
Move on to the next slide and register your votes on the last page of the slideshow.
2010: $2 million Bombshell Fantasy Bra, modelled by Adriana Lima
Adriana was lucky enough to be honoured as showstopper for the second time two years ago.
This time around, her Bombshell Fantasy, once again by Damiani, showed off a starburst design with 60 carats of white diamonds and 82 carats of topazes and sapphires, bringing its total value to 152 carats.
Move on to the next slide and register your votes on the last page of the slideshow.
2011: $2.5 million Fantasy Treasure Bra, modelled by Miranda Kerr
Last year, it was first-ever Australian Angel Miranda's turn to shine.
The yummy mummy strutted confidently down the runway in the Fantasy Treasure Bra, inspired by the sea and created in collaboration with London Jewellers.
The piece was hand-set with nearly 3,400 precious stones -- 142 carats of white and yellow diamonds, pearls, faceted citrines and aquamarines, all set in 18-karat white and yellow gold. In the centre hung two white diamonds (more than eight carats each) and two yellow diamonds (more than 14 carats each).
Move on to the next slide and register your votes on the last page of the slideshow.
2012: $2.5 million Floral Fantasy Bra & Gift Set, modelled by Alessandra Ambrosio
And finally we have the star of 2012, Brazilian bombshell Alessandra.
Last week, she looked more than a million dollars (literally!) in this bra and belt by London Jewellers for Victoria's Secret.
The sexy set featured approximately 5,200 gems -- amethysts, sapphires and rubies, with a floral 20-carat diamond centrepiece.
Move on to the next slide and register your votes.
Cast your vote!
So which of the million-dollar fantasies by the lingerie giant do you think looked the best? Take the poll below and let us know!