After 10+ years covering the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show for work, including one trip to China, we thought we were pros at cramming into a crowded event space to watch a 42-minute parade of the world’s most famous models strut down a confetti-strewn runway in tiny lingerie and gigantic wings. Turns out, the hair isn’t the only thing that’s changed about the much-hyped event (where were all the extensions?!). For starters, we’re moms. Cool moms, but moms.
We both commute from the burbs and since this was going to be a late night (10pm is late when you’re on call 5-9am before your 9-5 job) we got a hotel room at the Four Seasons Downtown so we had a place to work before and after the show then close our laptops and crash (in beds so comfortable, we’re still talking about refinancing our homes to buy them) .
We also decided to bring in pro glam because when you’re going to spend the evening watching models walk in their underpants, it helps to look and feel your best. Enter celebrity hairstylist Lacy Redway with the world’s largest suitcase of curling irons and Nexxus styling products (she gave us the bombshell waves that were missing from the runway!), plus Nars makeup artist Justin LaMonte.
One hour and all of the concealer in Manhattan later, we were on our way to the show. We made it just in time despite taking the scenic route around Brooklyn Navy Yard.
Here are some takeaways from our trip the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2.0:
- With hundreds of people in attendance, including celebrities like Cardi B and Jodie Turner-Smith, influencers like The Olivias (Olivia Culpo and Olivia Ponton) and the Real Housewives of New York City (Hi, Ubah and Jenna!), no one is looking at you (but get glam anyway!).
- The show doesn’t have an official dress code, but we know from past experience that people lean into the sexiness of it all. Six years ago that meant some cutouts. Now, it means a sparkly mosquito net over a thong. We both had on blazers and looked like security detail for Cardi B.
- It’s no surprise that they don’t serve food at the show. But there’s something about watching models in their underpants that makes you hungry. We came prepared with granola bars.
- Everyone’s a content creator these days which means the must have accessory on the red carpet is a ring light. If you didn’t BYORL (Bring Your Own Ring Light) you were left in the dark. Literally.
- Even fashion people aren’t too cool to scream-sing along to “Believe.”
- Supermodel Husbands put Dance Moms to shame (looking at you, Dylan Sprouse!)
- Just like on an airplane, it’s key to know your exits at these things. In this case, our escape route involved a 10 minute golf cart ride that dropped up off on a street corner in Brooklyn. That journey gave us plenty of time to plan all of the food we were going to eat when we got back to the hotel (burgers, fries, caesar salad and cocktails of course).
- You will look back at all the content you captured and realize you have a dozen videos of Gigi Hadid but not a single good photo of yourself.
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