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9 December, 2005 (NEW YORK) It looks like the Victoria’s Secret angels won’t be the only lovelies having a very merry Christmas this season. After the December 6 catwalk show extravaganza aired on CBS, the retailer reported that Alessandra Ambrosio’s santa hat and fur-lined mini-skirt had completely sold out in stores across the country. In fact, over 17,000 sets of the $34 mini and $10 hat sold in the week immediately following the runway show and catalog release, the latter of which features Ambrosio in the sexy get-up. So successful was the fashion show this time around—Victoria’s Secret executives cancelled the show in 2004 after Janet Jackson’s Superbowl fiasco—that the company will re-air “the world’s sexiest fashion show” on Tuesday, Dec. 13, at 9PM on UPN. |
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| November 2005 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
30 November, 2005 Brazil's best beach babes found in Florianopolis The Brazilian island city is the hottest beach resort in South America right now - a playground for Gishelle and ripped young guys By Dominic Sutcliffe It's Friday night at the Confraria das Artes, one of the hippest nightclubs in Brazil, and the crowded patio looks like a fashion shoot set in an antique store. Reclining on vintage couches and creaking rocking chairs under Moroccan chandeliers, dozens of long-limbed, honey-skinned blondes are sipping caipirinhas and flirting with tanned men in muscle shirts. Supermodels Gishelle Bundcxxx, Mariana Weickert and Alessandra Ambrosio are known to frequent the Confraria, as is local tennis star Gustavo Kuerten. Keen to discover who's who, I ask our waiter, Rogerio, a dashing 20-something surfer dude, to point out the bar's stars. But Rogerio is of no use. "I don't know any of them," he shouts over the ambient dance track. "I just took this job to earn some money so I could surf all day. A few years ago no one cared anything about Floripa. But now it's gone crazy!" If a local like Rogerio is disoriented, imagine how I feel. I thought I knew something about hip Brazil -- the chic resorts of Angra dos Reis, Buzios and Parati, where the likes of Mick Jagger, Naomi Campbell and Ronaldo hang out. But when a Brazilian friend in London told me that the hottest place in the country -- and the new Punta del Este of South America -- was an island city in the south called Florianopolis, I almost laughed. Floria what? It sounded like a Greek island. Or a brand of toothpaste. If it was so popular, why hadn't we heard of it? Turns out millions of South Americans have -- but they've been keeping it to themselves. An hour's flight from Sao Paulo, not far from the border with Uruguay, Floripa, as it's known to locals, is the capital of Santa Catarina state. It lies on a gorgeous 483km2 island made up of 17th-century fishing villages, jungle-covered hills, emerald lagoons and more than 40 pristine white sand beaches. Flying in from Sao Paulo, it looks like tropical paradise. Put a volcano on those hills, and it could be Hawaii. Linked to the mainland by a single suspension bridge, for many years Floripa was -- like the rest of Santa Catarina -- a rural idyll. But in the past five years, the island's popularity has exploded. As crime rates in Sao Paulo and Rio soared, wealthy urbanites snapped up homes on its beachfronts and opened restaurants, clubs and bars on its lagoon shores. In 2002, it was said Florianopolis was the best and safest place to live in Brazil. Today, more Brazilian and South American tourists head to Floripa on their December breaks than anywhere else in the country except for Rio. And in summer the regular population of 330,000 swells to more than 1 million. They come for the beaches, the surfing, the snorkelling, the seafood and, of course, to party like only South Americans know how. Setting the scene If Floripa is a potential Punta del Este, the center of the "scene" is Lagoa da Conceicao, a village set around the main lagoon in the heart of the island, beneath the wooded hills. Kite surfers skim the glassy water, dodging wooden boats ferrying tourists to seafood restaurants on the far shores, and the sidewalks have the air of a hip southern Californian beach town: bustling surf shops, trendy coffee bars and an excellent gourmet "kilo restaurant" called Um Rosa, where regulars pile up huge portions of fresh fish, mussels, salads and organic meats from a buffet bar for 22 Brazilian reais a kilo (NT$336). It is the beaches beyond Lagoa that are the real attraction, though, and it was time to test them out. Those in the north, Jurere and Ingleses, are the most commercial: a kind of Brazilian Costa del Sol, with high-rise condo developments and tacky restaurants with menus in Spanish to help out all the Argentines. Far better are the beaches to the east and south, facing open ocean: Campeche, Joaquina, Praia Mole and Barra da Lagoa. On the advice of my Brazilian friend in London we had avoided staying in the city itself and instead based ourselves at Pousada Natur, a privately-run guesthouse in the serene suburb of Campeche -- and a mere block from the beach. An unspoilt boomerang curve of pure white sand, Campeche looks out on a small emerald island that has been declared a national marine park. It has a famous right-break wave that only the legendary surf paradise of Jeffrey's Bay in South Africa can rival. Not that I know what a right break means, but every morning hundreds of daredevil kite surfers and boarders paid tribute to it, doing heart-stopping leaps and breakneck speed twists over the towering barrels. Surfing is a religion in Floripa and there are several beaches on which to convert. I spent my second afternoon on Barra da Lagoa, under the expert tutelage of Evandro dos Santos, a former Brazilian champion with his own surf school. He had the looks of a film star and the English of a four-year-old. "Watch wavey! Look beachy! Stand uppy!" he advised, before bursting out laughing every time a bathtub-sized tiddler toppled me. That said, my board was as big as a raft and soon enough even I got the hang of things. By the end I was waving like a superstar at the sunbathers on the beach as I rode the ripples in. Real waves are best left to the pros, though, and luckily my visit coincided with a round of the World Surfing Championship on Praia Mole and Joaquina, two of the best surf beaches in Brazil. Among the contestant were local stars Fabio Gouveia and Diego Rosa, and six-time world champion (and former Baywatch actor) Kelly Slater. They were impressive enough, but it was hard to concentrate: on the beach, in front of the cafes spinning break beats and selling beers, was a constant parade of barefoot, thong-wearing beauties: such facsimiles of Gishelle Bundcxxx that for a moment I thought I had spotted her. Bundcxxx comes from the neighboring state of Rio Grande do Sul, but since she was unleashed on the world Santa Catarina has been gripped by model mania. As with Rio Grande do Sul, and unlike the rest of Brazil, the interior was settled by German and Polish farmers in the early 19th century. Over the generations their DNA has mixed with Portuguese and Brazilian blood to produce that distinctive dusky, dark blonde look. There are now five international model agencies in Floripa alone. The hippest hangout of all remains the Confraria das Artes back in Lagoa, opened in 2002 by textile designer Rico Grunfeld, another Sao Paulo transplant. "When I first came here, there was nothing except kitschy discos," he says. "I knew from visiting Paris, London and Miami that what this town needed was a lounge!" So, with somewhat bemusing logic, he created a sprawling nightclub with its own clothing boutique and four indoor-outdoor spaces decorated with vintage furniture, clocks, antique cameras and oil paintings - -- all of which are for sale along with the cocktails. It seems to have worked: the Confraria is frequently rated by Sao Paulo style mags as one of the best clubs in the country and by 9pm the queue outside stretched to the end of the block. Seedy or soulless? The city of Florianopolis dates back to 1752, and the arrival of Portuguese from the island of Madeira. For centuries it was a famous southern port, fortress and whaling post, but after a recent reclamation of the docks to build a highway, it has lost much of its charm. Today it's a maze of modern glass high-rises and faded cement tower blocks facing the mainland. Indeed, I was relieved to be staying out in Campeche: one could get lost in the city, and apart from a gleaming new Sofitel that is being built on the waterfront, the hotels looked seedy or soulless. And yet remnants of the city's past still exist. The 1898-built public market, just back from the docks, is permanently packed, its stalls teeming with fresh shrimp, mussels, oysters and grouper the size of tractor wheels. Don't miss Box 32 in the heart of the market, a classy cafe with a dozen tables and bar stools where the post-work crowd come for a lager and Portuguese pastries. A short drive south is another gem: Armazem Viera, built in 1840, the oldest bar on the island, its wooden floor, creaking balcony and ocean-green walls dating back to the glory days of the port. In keeping with Floripa's new image, though, it has updated its drinks menu and features more than 70 premium cachaca cocktails, as well as a dozen mixed with that old sailor's favorite, absinthe. But there are only so many nights you can spend on the tiles and I saved my final two days to explore the lesser-known parts of the island. You need a car to get around and after several days of taking pricey taxis, I contacted Marta Chiesa of Brazil Ecojourneys, the first (and so far only) English-speaking tour company to open on the island. A Brazilian who had spent several years in London, she had an insider's eye for the hidden gems. We headed north first, to the mainland-facing village of Santo Antonio do Lisboa. A mere 10 minutes from Floripa and chichi Lagoa, here was another world. Stone bungalows lined the waterfront, sun-bleached fishing boats bobbed in the bays and women rode donkeys down cobbled streets past 250-year-old churches. It looked exactly like Madeira. We then drove south, through the least developed part of the island, to the even more beautiful town of Ribeirao da Ilha. Old men played chess and draughts on waterfront benches and seafood restaurants lined the water. The best of them was Ostradamus, a sailor-themed oyster bar opened by former hot dog seller Jaime Jose de Barcelos in what used to be the garage of his house. By some way the best seafood restaurant on the island, it was so good that we stayed well past dinner and in the end forwent a final fling at the Confraria. At the time I was quite happy about the early night, but now I'm not so sure. When I arrived back in London, my Brazilian friend wanted to know whether I had seen Gishelle. Apparently she was all over the Brazilian papers, photographed in Florianopolis with new boyfriend and new World Surfing Champion Kelly Slater. One of the pictures of her is on Praia Mole; another looks as if it might be on one of the vintage couches at the Confraria. |
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10 November, 2005: The Victoria's Secret runway show returns!
“I put the girls through my jiggle test for tonight,” said David Kirsch, who trained Karolina Kurkova and Heidi Klum in preparation for Wednesday night’s Victoria’s Secret fashion show.
It paid off. As the blonde bombshells—the former, who just signed a multi-year contract with the lingerie company, and the latter, making her runway debut 5½ weeks since giving birth—proved, there’s nothing quite like putting on just the bare essentials to set the hearts of millions aflutter. “Really, I just pretend I’m walking down my block,” said Gisele Bundchen as she joined the likes of Naomi Campbell, Adriana Lima, Julia Stegner, Alessandra Ambrosio, Caroline Winberg, and Eugenia Volodina in strutting their very best stuff down the glitter-covered runway for a special presentation that will air on CBS on Dec. 6. While most of the guests came relatively casually attired—a rainstorm had just soaked many of them—some dressed up, if only to play to the evening’s theme. “It’s Victoria’s Secret, what else would I wear?” laughed Tinsley Mortimer of her Plein Sud slip dress, which was flimsy enough to double as lingerie. Not far from the raised stage sat the likes of Fabiola Beracasa, Frédéric Fekkai, Ujjwala Raut and Maxwell Sterry, Liya Kebede, Russell Simmons, Thalia, Tommy Mottola, Jason Priestly, Lenny Kravitz, Amerie, Peter Beard, Harry Morton, and Nicky Hilton, and for many, it was their very first such show. “I’m excited to see what all the hype is about,” admitted Hilton, who arrived with Brandon Davis. Even former Project Runway star Austin Scarlett was there, but by no coincidence. “I used to work on making the wings,” he said. “It’s a fabulous parade of beauty. It’s become a holiday tradition. You have the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, the Rockettes, and now the Victoria’s Secret show.” And what a show it was. From the moment the first eight girls emerged like presents out of a massive Victoria’s Secret gift box to start the show, there was nonstop energy and excitement in the air. With live performances by Chris Botti, Seal (who appeared out of a large silver ornament), and Ricky Martin, 60 looks paraded down the runway, broken down into six distinct themes like Sexy Santa’s Helpers, Crystal Princess, Sexy Delicious, and Toy Parade—that had Bundchen in a Santa’s hat, Ambrosio in a bra made of candy necklaces, Klum in a pair of lit-up, Swarovski-adorned panties and bra, and Banks—in her final runway show as a model—wearing a multi-ribbon skirt with silver and gold-plated medallions, complete with a crystal embellished baton that bore a pronounced “V” on top. Large Christmas ornaments adorned portions of the runway and venue floor while the rotating stage featured larger-than-life versions of iconic Christmas elements: candy canes, an ornament, and a gift box. Soaking it all in from their front row seats, Usher and Pharrell had different takes on what they had just witnessed. “They really had to twist my arm to get me here,” Usher said, trying not to crack a smile. “I figured it was a family event so I brought my younger brother here to show him the ropes.” Williams was more frank. “It was good to see the vets,” he said. Post show, the 500+ guests made their way into the after party, held in two rooms also at the Lexington Avenue Armory. Imperia Vodka hosted the Million Dollar-themed after party. By no coincidence, one of the collections presented on the runway was appropriately themed, “Imperial Russian.” Dita Von Teese performed her trademark burlesque dance, pouring Imperia vodka all over herself as she danced next to a martini glass. While a screen projected the show for those not fortunate to snag a firsthand view, she climbed into the martini glass and took a bath in the vodka. As he relaxed in the tightly packed VIP section post show, Luca Orlandi, who had just witnessed his new bride, Oluchi, show off her assets to the entire world, said he couldn’t be more proud. “Fantastic,” he summed up of her performance. “She didn’t need any advice after all.
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10 November, 2005 Supermodels Speak! ( Victoria's Secret's angels tell us how they do it) Alessandra Ambrosio |
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8 November, 2005 The luxury vodka company is pulling out all the stops to make this the most spectacular and forbidden fete in New York City for 2005 -- save possibly for IMPERIA's fireworks-filled launch on Liberty Island during September's fashion week. This extravaganza, too hot for TV, will feature 100lbs of caviar and 100 cases of IMPERIA Vodka, which will be delivered by armored truck and security detail. All will be served by a bevy of sexy Russian beauties. The coveted invitations will allow the hand-chosen guests to mingle with some of New York and Hollywood's uber-VIP's and of course, the Victoria's Secret catwalkers including Heidi Klum, Tyra Banks, Gishelle Bundcxxx, Karolina Kurkova, Alessandra Ambrosio, Naomi Campbell and Angela Lindvall. The entertainment will be equally extravagant as the beautiful Dita Von Teese, shock-rocker Marilyn Manson's fiance, takes the stage for one of her infamous
burlesque shows in a giant IMPERIA Vodka martini glass. Known for throwing remarkable events, IMPERIA will celebrate Victoria's Secret's holiday collection with ice bars, giant holiday bows, toy soldiers and wrapped gifts all set against a Russian backdrop. With bright pinks,
purples, and whites, IMPERIA will bring the Victoria's Secret brand to life as IMPERIA's Russian beauties serve guests in Russian-inspired, custom designed babydoll dresses. Highly sought after, IMPERIA Vodka is the first-ever brand to partner with Victoria's Secret fashion show and party, with a full runway segment dedicated to and inspired by Russia. The segment, will feature eleven looks, two sets of
wings, and major "bling" -- compliments of Jacob the Jeweler -- and supermodels Tyra Banks, Heidi Klum, Angela Lindvall, Eugenia Volodina, Tatiana Kovylina, and Natasha Poly on the runway. |
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7 November, 2005 Call it the battle of the bodies.
After a one-year hiatus, Victoria's Secret supermodels will return to the runway this week for the company's legendary fashion show. On the same night, shirtless male models will welcome guests to the opening of Abercrombie & Fitch's flagship store on Fifth Avenue. A year after Janet Jackson's Super Bowl "wardrobe malfunction" set off a firestorm over decency that saw the censoring of shock jock Howard Stern, the withdrawal of Abercrombie's racy quarterly catalog and the cancellation of the annual Victoria's Secret lingerie extravaganza, companies appear to be emerging from their conservative shell. "There was an overreaction to Janet Jackson's fashion trouble," said David Wolfe, creative director of the Doneger Group. "Things are settling back to normal." Abercrombie was the target of protests by conservative groups over its catalog, which showcased pictures of nude young men and women. Though it has no plans to resume publication of the catalog, it continues to use provocative images to promote store openings. The company's shares have been on a roll, closing up 65 cents, or 2.9 percent, at $57.92 Friday. The stock is up 23 percent since the beginning of the year. At the Abercrombie party on Wednesday night, guests who pay $10 will have the opportunity to pose for a photograph with shirtless male models. The money will be donated to charity, according to a spokeswoman. Across town on the same evening, Tyra Banks, Gisele Bundchen, Heidi Klum and other models will sashay down the runway clad in racy lingerie and stiletto heels. Victoria's Secret cancelled its show last year, partially as a result of the social climate, said spokesman Anthony Hebron. In a sign that overtly sexy themes may not fly everywhere, customers complained about window displays they considered too provocative at Victoria's Secret stores in McLean, Va., and Wauwatosa, Wis., that showed female mannequins on all fours and intertwined on a bed. Hebron said those displays were changed. "We want to be sexy, not offensive," he said. Asked why the company decided to move forward with the fashion show, Hebron paused, then said, "We've never had a wardrobe malfunction." |
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Tuesday, 1 November 2005 Media Farm’s Gratuitous Brazilian Model of the Week Award goes to—who else—the Boston Herald, for splashing a picture of Victoria’s Secret model Alessandra Ambrosio on its October 25 cover. The teaser, “Thieves target her hot stuff,” led to a page 7 story that recapped (stay with us here) a loss-prevention trade magazine’s account of a story that broke in Boston nearly a year ago, about an Andover woman who was busted selling stolen underwear over the internet. But who needs news to be current when you’ve got pictures of hot models and leads like this: “Call them the thong arm of the law”? |
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| October 2005 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lingerie With A Lift: Cops Go High-Tech To Bust Cheeky Panty Raiders
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October 21, 2005 MAN-EATER Shannen Doherty has a new boy toy. The sexy former "90210" star made the scene the other night at the L.A. launch of Victoria's Secret's new Mood line of aphrodisiac-inspired candles and home fragrances — which seem to work. Doherty, 34, planted herself on the lap of a studly college senior: USC quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinert. He nearly scored a touchdown right in their banquette, our spywitness reports. Also at the bash, held at the aptly-named Club Mood and hosted by Alessandra Ambrosio and Tyra Banks, were Paris Hilton and Stavros Niarchos, Mike Tyson, Kevin Federline, Joaquin Phoenix and Christian Slater. |
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20 October, 2005 Send Me An Angel (And please make her smell good too) (LOS ANGELES) "It smells so good in here!" exclaimed Tyra Banks to The Daily. The supermodel, talk show hostess, and “fierce”Victoria's Secret face was at L.A. hotspot Mood last night to promote VS beauty's latest initiative, Mood candles, and she was right—thanks to the company’s waxy new products, the club smelled less like booze and way more like a sexy boudoir. "I put candles everywhere," said Banks. "In my bathtub, my room but I don't light them because they already smell good and I don't want them to melt and get all gross!" Fellow VS model Alessandra Ambrosio was also on hand to give tips to those who weren't born to be underwear models. "Have makeup and hair people to make sure everything's fine,”she joked. “No, if you use one of these Mood aphrodisiac candles, it'll get you in the mood to feel sexy. The boyfriend's gonna love that!" Also spotted: Matthew Perry pulling up a seat next to Banks and Carmen Kass huddled upstairs in the VIP section, seemingly oblivious to the fact that David Spade was quietly watching her.Maybe Spade should follow Ambrosio's advice and grab a Mood candle from Victoria's Secret? |
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20 October, 2005 HOLLYWOOD, CA, Oct. 20, 2005 -- Victoria's Secret, the brand known for the sexiest lingerie and beauty products on earth, will now scent your home sexy with the launch of MOOD by Victoria's Secret, a collection of aphrodisiac-inspired home fragrances. The hot and sexy collection features 8 scents -- feminine florals, enticing edibles, intoxicating spices, and tempting fruits -- all with known aphrodisiac properties that excite the senses and stimulate sexual attraction. Scents include: Beguiling (Freesia), Yearning (Creamy Gardenia), Ripe (Sweet Fig), Slow Melt (Dark Chocolate), Succulent (Blackberry Spice) and Hidden Fire (Enchanting Amber) To kick off the launch, on October 19, Victoria's secret supermodels Tyra Banks and Alessandra Ambrosio hosted an exclusive party at LA's hottest night club, Club Mood. Celebrity guests such as Joaquin Phoenix, Eve, David Spade and Carmen Cass, lit up over the new line of candles and sachets. Banks has a favorite Mood candle -- Beguiling, which is a freesia scent." My favorite scent is Beguiling, scented with Freesia" says Banks. "It smells soapy and clean, which I like." The jam-packed fete went late into the night as DJ Sam Ronson ignited the crowd and Paris Hilton, Kevin Federline, Daisy Fuentes, Drea de Matteo, Constantine Moralis and Cindy Margolis danced the night away and enjoyed a signature cocktail from Gran Centenario Tequila -- The Angel's Aphrodisiac -- a tempting creation of Gran Centenario Plata and fresh juices. MOOD candles and sachets are housed in sleek black glass, featuring 3 wicks and luxurious boxes punctuated with sexy, prowly animal prints. Deluxe Filled Candle (65 oz, $225); Large Filled Candle (10 oz, $28); Votive Set (two 4 oz, $24); Sachet Set (three 6 oz, $24) the new mood collection will be available in Victoria's Secret Stores across the country. |
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18 October, 2005 By Lisa de Moraes
Ted Koppel and Tyra Banks have so much in common, it's only fitting ABC should announce the date of Koppel's final appearance on "Nightline" the very same day CBS announced Banks's final runway appearance on its Victoria's Secret fashion show. And, further solidifying the karmic convergence of the King of Late-Night News and the Queen of Late-Night Fantasies, they will take their final bows exactly two weeks apart -- to the day. ABC News yesterday made official what had been widely speculated for some time: Martin Bashir, Cynthia McFadden and Terry Moran will co-anchor "Nightline" when Koppel leaves the show, which will happen the night of Nov. 22. Marty & Our Gang take over on Nov. 28. Though we have been told in the past that the "Nightline" folks are not aware of the dates of so-called sweeps ratings periods, Koppel's bow-out, which is sure to grab a big crowd, falls in the November ratings derby, as does the debut of the new "Nightline," which no doubt will attract a good number of curious news junkies. How lucky for "Nightline," which has slowly but steadily been losing viewers in the sweeps since the start of this millennium. On Dec. 6, precisely two weeks after Koppel's last "Nightline" appearance, CBS will broadcast the triumphant return of "The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show," which, while infused with its usual bouncy, festive holiday spirit, will be marked with some sadness when Banks makes her final fashion show appearance for the well-known undies-and-so-much-more company. Koppel is a TV pioneer who broke new ground at "Nightline" when it debuted as a regular ABC show on March 24, 1980. Originally a series of late-night news specials called "The Iran Crisis: America Held Hostage" (and first anchored by Frank Reynolds), "Nightline" made waves as a live, single-subject news program and is widely credited, as Reuters recently noted, with helping usher in the nation's demand for round-the-clock news. Koppel reportedly is going to announce when he leaves "Nightline" that he will be doing something for pay cable network HBO. Banks is also a TV pioneer, and her name is synonymous with Victoria's Secret. Like Koppel, Banks broke new ground in the world of media. She was the first African American model to grace the covers of both GQ and Sports Illustrated's swimsuit issues, as well as the Victoria's Secret catalogue. Banks went on to create and executive-produce one of a very few shows that have put a whole network -- UPN -- on the map. "America's Next Top Model" is averaging 4.8 million viewers this season -- to Koppel's 3.7 million. Banks also has a syndicated daytime talk show, which is averaging about 1.7 million viewers. Victoria's Secret hopes it can fill the void created by the departure of the spectacularly voluptuous Banks with "the next generation of Victoria's Secret 'Angels' "--to wit, "new modeling sensations" Selita Ebanks and Izabel Goulart, who will be making their VS fashion show debuts on CBS. This is kind of like asking Jennifer Love Hewitt to stand in for Audrey Hepburn. Oh, wait -- some network tried that. |
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| Friday, 18 October, 2005 Source: zap2it.com LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) The great ones all have to go sometime. For their fans, the hope is that they go out on top, a la Barry Sanders, rather than try to hang on to past glory when their skills have faded, like so many boxers at the end of their careers. Tyra Banks will try to do the former come December, when she hits the "Victoria's Secret Fashion Show" runway for the final time before ceding the catwalk to a new generation of models. CBS and the lingerie maker have set a date of Tuesday, Dec. 6 for the show, which will feature Banks, Heidi Klum and a host of other Victoria's Secret models showing off the titular company's designs. Klum will be making her first runway appearance since giving birth in September, and "new modeling sensations" Selita Ebanks and Izabel Goulart will make their show debuts. The Victoria's Secret show has been a lightning rod for indecency watchdogs ever since its first airing on ABC in 2001 (it moved to CBS the following year). Each show has generated a flood of complaints to the Federal Communications Commission, although no fines have resulted. Last year, following the Janet Jackson-Super Bowl fallout, CBS and Victoria's Secret opted not to air the special. This year's special will air at 10 p.m. ET, when, presumably, the audience will be mostly grown-ups. It will pre-empt the legal drama "Close to Home," although that show is likely to be in post-sweeps reruns by then. |
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| August 2005 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Friday, August 26, 2005 Source: Abington Mariner Dangling delights By Max Bowen/ mbowen@cnc.com If you happen to go to the Marshfield Fair this weekend, keep an eye out for Andrew Spader, an Abington jewelry artist trying to make a business out of a hobby. Since the early 1980s Spader has been designing jewelry, from sun catchers and eyeglass chains to earrings and chokers. He began making them while living in California and used the money he made selling them to finance his move to the east coast in 1992. Spader lived in Weymouth for seven years, before moving to Abington in 1999. Once the move was made, the jewelry went into a box, and he concentrated on his computer repair business, PC House Calls, which he has done for the past seven years. That all changed one day, when Spader met Alessandra Ambrosio, a Victoria's Secret model, through a friend of his. Ambrosio saw some of Spader's work and thought he had real talent. "If it's good enough for a Victoria's Secret model, it's good enough for me," said Spader. Since the beginning of the year, Spader has been hard at work trying to turn his hobby into a profession. He still works at PC House Calls, but hopes turn his jewelry making into his new job. Spader said often takes his jewelry with him when he goes to client's homes to fix their computers, and sometimes makes a few sales while he's there. He has also sold his jewelry at flea markets in Revere, although he said the results weren't so good. His shop on Nantasket Beach, however, has done very well. "I couldn't ask for a better office," said Spader, who will have a stand at the Marshfield Fair, which will run from Friday (Aug. 19) to Sunday, Aug. 28. Spader works at his shop from the early morning until 7 p.m. After getting home, he works for a few hours marketing his product. His Web site, pookerrings.com, showcases his work with full color photos and unique names, such as the Swinging Sassy Crystal Ball Pookers or the Bombdiggity Aqualicious Tickle Anklet. Prices range from $5 to $25. The Web site also lists upcoming shows with videos and photos. Those visiting the site may notice the word Pooker in the name of nearly every piece of jewelry. Spader said this is a nickname given to him by Ambrosio. "I've been getting good reviews from the people that wear it," said Spader. Much of the jewelry is Spader's own design, although some of his ideas come from seeing what women are wearing. Others are custom jobs he has done for people. Spader's work is currently being featured at the Canvas Alley Gallery in Reading, as part of the "Small Works: 100 for $100" show. While it focuses primarily on wall art such as paintings, photographs and prints, the gallery also brought in many boutique items, such as jewelry, textiles and clothing. Spader, whose work will be on display until the end of September, said he got in touch with the gallery after a customer saw his work and wanted to help get him involved with the show. "Considering how long I've been doing it recently, I've got no complaints," said Spader. Spader said he has always loved working with beads and crystals. Some of his prize pieces are a necklace with a unicorn and heart crystal pendant, and a pair of earrings made to look like real chandeliers. Some items can take between a few and 30 minutes to create, while his custom jobs, such as the ones he has done for Ambrosio, take two and a half to three hours. His goal is to find new and better venues to showcase his work. He said he hopes to bring his artwork to the Florida beach circuit soon, and also wants to get a spot at the Marshfield Fair. One of Spader's first shows was at the Abington Public Library, called "Abington Artists Past and Present." "I'm hoping this will take the place of my old job," said Spader. "I'm having too much fun." ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- |
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12 August, 2005 COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Victoria's Secret says skin is back in.
The company's fashion show is slated to return to the air after executives yanked it last year in the wake of Janet Jackson's breast-baring Super Bowl performance.
CBS says it will air the hour-long lingerie show from the brand owned by Columbus-based Limited Brands.
An airdate has not yet been set. But the holiday-themed show traditionally runs around Christmas.
Executives with the lingerie company say they pulled last year's show to reevaluate their promotion of the brand. But they say the Federal Communications Commission's crackdown on networks following the Jackson incident was a factor in the show's cancellation. ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- |
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3 August, 2005 Brazilian supermodel and Victoria's Secret Angel Gisele Bundchen signed the billboard of a new Victoria's Secret campaign at The Grove in Los Angeles on Monday. The campaign, shot by director Michael Bernard, showcases a new demi-bra shape using Victoria Secret's exclusive IPEX patents.
Already offered in a more classic Betty Page cut, the IPEX line stresses a seamless, subtle look over obvious impact or volume. Stitching, foam layers and details are hidden in the structure, so as to add a little extra padded something without the tell-tale giveaways of a padded bra or undo distractions from a natural silhouette. The demi version of this does all the same things, but flashes a good deal more cleavage.
Victoria's Secret Angels Gisele Bundchen, Alessandra Ambrosio, Izabel Goulart, Selita Ebanks, Jessica Vandersteen and Caryle Nabers appear in the campaign. 250 free vouchers for the design were passed out at the Grove during Gisele's billboard signing. The "demi" version of IPEX, showcased in the new campaign, was made available at Victoria's Secret Stores nationwide the following day. |
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| July 2005 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
27 July, 2005 Never underestimate the power of a half-naked woman, especially when appealing to other women.
Such is the mantra of today's advertising world, where marketers promoting female-oriented products aren't getting inside a woman's psyche but rather into her lingerie drawer. Over the past month, companies as diverse as Victoria's Secret, Gap and Dove have launched Internet and television campaigns featuring women in various stages of undress. While the efforts are disparate in both direction and purpose, each uses some form of boobvertising to catch the female consumer's attention. "It's not surprising that sexual appeals have an impact in attracting our attention the way they do with men," says Ontario author Shari Graydon, who wrote In Your Face: The Culture of Beauty and You. "But obviously, (a woman's) relationship with those images is much more complicated." This month, Victoria's Secret debuted pinkpantypoker.com, a test-marketing site -- which means it isn't always live -- on which potential customers play virtual strip-poker with supermodel Alessandra Ambrosio and her friends. The campy game, to promote the company's Pink line of lingerie, ends once someone is down to her underwear. Scott Linnen, creative co-director of the Victoria's Secret project, told the advertising and marketing site Adverblog the virtual game is intended to mimic a women's Tupperware party, "but for thongs." "Young women like to have an interactive site where they can do something, and I think pinkpantypoker probably is a lot of fun for them," says Yvonne DiVita, an expert on marketing to women online. "I don't know that they're as offended by it as women who went through the burn-your-bra stage." Last week, Gap launched its own website, watchmechange.com. On it, female shoppers tweak a virtual fashionista to their own body measurements, then watch her bust into a farcical striptease -- think Showgirls meets Napoleon Dynamite -- peeling down to her underwear before getting dressed again. "Advertising ... has this long-established instructional role," says Ms. Graydon. "We learn from the media how to do our hair, how to put on makeup, how to dress, and now how to undress." According to Jennifer L. Pozner, executive director of the advocacy group Women In Media & News, the campaigns give women a false sense of empowerment by equating sexuality with self-esteem. "There's something to be said for a woman feeling confident in her own skin," she says. "But when you detach that from any other concept of empowerment in her life, the women's movement becomes reduced to who can wear the reddest lipstick and the shortest miniskirt." Dove's take on the trend is the most appealing to the media watchdog since it features ordinary women. The company's latest block of television ads, Undressing for Dove, features females of all shapes and sizes frolicking in their underwear to assert their self-worth -- and to promote Dove's cellulite-firming body lotion. "At least they're trying to take a different approach," says Ms. Pozner. "However, the hidden agenda with Dove is to make women feel just good enough about themselves that this campaign stands out, but not so good about themselves that they don't need their products." Erin Iles, Canadian marketing manager for Dove, says half-naked women were used in the ads to literally strip down stereotypes about real beauty. By co-opting a tactic used in beer commercials and applying it to a feminist appeal for real beauty, the power is returned to women. "We put women in their underwear because they love their bodies so much and we really want to show off this incredible diversity of body shape," says Ms. Iles. "Women's bodies aren't all about selling sex. |
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18 July, 2005 Sunday the Brazilian label Sais by Rosa Cha was launched in the States by designer Amir Slama. The label's U.S. headquarters may be in Miami (as well as a flagship store on Lincoln Road), but Slama regularly shows his Rosa Cha swimline as part of the spring-summer runway shows in New York. He is also working on capsule collections with models such as Naomi Campbell, Alessandra Ambrosio, Ana Beatriz Barros and Ana Hickman helping out on the design duties. |
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| June 2005 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5 June, 2005 Source: NY Post Page Six Victoria's Secret bombshell Alessandra Ambrosio taught her boyfriend a liquid lesson when she caught him making out with another girl at Marquee the other night. Male model Marcello Baldrini, whom Ambrosio has been dating for four years, was tonguing down another stunner at the bar when Ambrosio walked in and blew her stack. "Alessandra quite rightfully got upset and threw a drink in his face," an Elite rep told PAGE SIX. "She had to cool him off, after all." A spy at the club says the Brazilian couple started yelling at each other and were asked to leave. Ambrosio has since given her straying beau the boot. ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- |
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| May 2005 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
30 May, 2005 Hunky Leonardo DiCaprio is hiding out in the Hamptons — basking in the glow of socialites and belly dancers. "He really doesn't want anyone to know that he's here," a friend said. "He's just getting away until his next project." DiCaprio played the part of sultan as Russian heiress Anna Anisimova's Water Mill mansion was transformed into a Moroccan Castle Blanca. Hookah smoke and hip-hop provided a surreal backdrop for the launch of the marketing company 4 Degrees. Composed of veteran party pushers Mike Heller, Jeff Goldstein, Ashley Olsen's boyfriend, Scott Sartiano, and Richie Akiva, the dream team plans to throw intimate A-list fetes with grand production values throughout the summer and beyond. The star of "The Aviator" then headed to Tavern in Southampton, where he danced in his L.A. Clipper hat to "It's Your Birthday," with models Ana Beatriz Barros, who turned 23, and Alessandra Ambrosio. |
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| April 2005 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
13 April, 2005 Alessandra Ambrosio/Elite at her 24th birthday bash alongside Elite’s Richard Habberly and friend at Suede. When T-25 Sexiest face Alessandra/ Elite throws a birthday bash, she really throws a birthday bash. While a calvacade of fellow Brazilian belles were partying like there was no tomorrow, the newly single Alessandra was so busy with the festivities, she almost missed a chance to make the acquaintance of a bedazzled Lindsay Lohan. Oh the glamour of it all! |
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8 April, 2005 OCSAR-winning actress Tatum O'Neal went on a liquor-fueled lesbian rampage Wednesday night at Meatpacking District hot spot Pop Burger. At about midnight, O'Neal, 41, daughter of Ryan O'Neal and ex-wife of John McEnroe, walked into the hipster restaurant/lounge, which had been visited by the likes of Billy Baldwin, Natasha Henstridge and Alessandra Ambrosio earlier in the evening. O'Neal ambled up to the bar and started ordering cosmopolitans — apparently not her first libations of the evening. |
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| 7 April, 2005 Source: obviousnews.com Victoria‘s Secret announces the release of "SEXY Volume 3: A Tribute to a Decade of Sexy Swimwear" Fashion Wire Daily - New York - In celebration of the tenth anniversary of Victoria‘s Secret Swim, the lingerie mega-retailer produced a third book, "SEXY Volume 3: A Tribute to a Decade of Sexy Swimwear," featuring supermodels Alessandra Ambrosio, Gisele Bundchen, Naomi Campbell, Karolina Kurkova, Adriana Lima, Michelle Alves, Marisa Miller, Ana Beatriz, Heidi Klum, Angela Lindvall, Fernanda Motta, Oluchi Onweagba and Erin Wasson. At a Tuesday viewing hosted by a few of Victoria‘s veterans Klum, Bundchen, Lima, Ambrosio and Onweagba, Fashion Wire Daily got to take a sneak a peak at some of the photos from the limited edition book. In addition, a short video was shot by SEXY‘s photographers Russell James, shooting his second Swim book, and newcomers Raphael Mazzucco and Ellen Von Unwerth. According to publicist Jaclyn Ayers, Fashion Wire Daily learned that the Victoria‘s Secret team chose sun-kissed spots like Sardinia, Tulum, Mexico and St. Tropez to shoot the book because they represent the "most exotic and beautiful places in the world." VIPs and guests left today‘s launch at MILK Studios with a copies of both the new book and the video footage captured from the shoot. |
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7 April, 2005 Karolina Kurkova may be a gorgeous supermodel, but not all men will do her bidding. At the launch of Victoria's Secret's "Sexy" photo book at Milk Studios, Kurkova sent a photographer over to Tom Brady to ask if the Patriots quarterback would pose with her. Brady, who is dating actress Bridget Moynahan, snapped, "If she wants a picture, tell her to come over here." She didn't. Later, Brady joined Michael Jordan, Charles Oakley and Rick Pitino at Gypsy Tea, where Adriana Lima, Anna Beatriz Barros and Alessandra Ambrosio decorated the room. |
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6 April, 2005 Pregnant supermodel Heidi Klum has left little to the imagination in the latest Victoria's Secret catalogue. The mum-of-one joined stunners Gisele Bundchen, Oluchi Onweagba, Adriana Lima and Alessandra Ambrosio for the New York photoshoot. Klum, who has a 10-month-old son Leni and is expecting another child with boyfriend Seal, is regarded as one of the world's sexiest mums. She posed in front of one of her own photos from Sexy Volume 3: A Tribute To A Decade Of Sexy Swimwear. Now a high street chain, Victoria's Secret started in the 1970s as a small lingerie shop in San Francisco. |
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| March 2005 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
24 March, 2005 1. Angelina Jolie |
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23 March, 2005 ALESSANDRA Ambrosio and fellow Brazilian supermodel Ana Beatriz Barros getting their country's signature waxing at trendy Maria Bonita spa in NoLIta . |
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Lindsay Lohan didn't want to see her former flame Wilmer Valderrama — especially not when he was surrounded by some of the most gorgeous women on the planet. The top-heavy teen queen was on her way to Chelsea hot spot Suede for the "Saturday Night Live" after-party. But she changed her plans at the last second after being tipped off that Valderrama was there with a table full of beauties, including Victoria's Secret stunner Alessandra Ambrosio, who'd been rounded up by promoter Danny A for the occasion. Hovering around the mannequins were Charles Barkley, Scottie Pippen, Jermaine Dupri, Richard Jefferson and Jeremy Shockey. ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- |
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10 March, 2005 Tommy Lee making out with former flame (and Prince's ex-wife) Mayte at Cain while Victoria's Secret vixen Allesandra Ambrosia looked on with glee . . . |
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| November 2004 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
15 November, 2004 LOS ANGELES - Jealousy! Cat fights! Environmental protests!
Apparently, none of these things happened when five of the world’s hottest supermodels hit the road to promote the offerings of Victoria's Secret Holiday 2004 collection.
The odyssey began in New York, er, New Jersey, where the four city tour was temporarily displaced, supposedly by a fringe environmental group. At the final stop in Los Angeles, the glamour girls kept mum on the protests. Supermodel/television producer/entrepreneur Tyra Banks found the subject so distasteful that she went as far as to offer a gesture to a reporter that would be more at home in a mafia den than in lingerie shop. No matter. Despite a press release to the contrary, the protests in L.A. never materialized, and the beauties spent the morning happily posing for photographers, immortalizing their handprints in wet cement and signing autographs for fans. Despite the close quarters that the models shared on the tour, everyone got along famously. "We don't have pillow fights — yet!" proclaimed Brazilian beauty Adriana Lima, who saw her first basketball game on the Miami leg of the trip. "It was a pleasure for us to work together." "I was surprised, I thought that maybe that there would be bitching or something, but we all got along," chimed in Alessandra Ambrosio. "It was amazing, five angels together. There was so much strength. It's like, one of is nice, but five is incredible!" While the models traveled by airplane from city to city, they had a deluxe tour bus that ferried them to and from each of the venues. The concept of five lingerie-clad models in a big ol' bus seems like a natural for a hit reality show, but Heidi Klum has her doubts, "I don't know how long I could take it, having to sleep with everyone on the bus!" Reality TV may not be in the cards for Gisele Bundchen, who recently made her acting debut in "Taxi." She'd like to make the transition from modeling to acting because, "You can't keep doing stuff that's easy, you have to challenge yourself!" What could be a better challenge for Gisele than traveling across America by bus with four other supermodels for a reality show? FOX Network, take note! |
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14 November, 2004
Source: New York Daily News America - Or Bust! By Mark Ellwood Take five supermodels: Heidi Klum, Tyra Banks, Gisele Bündchen, Adriana Lima and Alessandra Ambrosio. Dress them in lingerie, then find a private plane. Add one journalist from the Daily News and you have the Victoria's Secret Angels Across America tour 2004.
This year, thanks to Nipplegate, the Angels fashion show was deemed Too Hot for TV (Don't worry — it will be back in 2005). But America's loss is my gain: Instead of strutting their half-naked stuff along a catwalk, Heidi, Tyra, Gisele, Adriana and Alessandra are crisscrossing America, stopping off to see fans in different cities and receiving awards and ogles everywhere they go. And me? Oh, I've just been asked to tag along as they set off from New York to Miami. The security at the Hotel Gansevoort, where the Angels begin their tour, is like a D-cupped Fort Knox: A goon answers the door, and I suddenly worry that I've forgotten some cryptic, Cold War-style code — maybe "The Gisele gallops across the Banks of Africa" — needed to enter. But soon, I'm inside, amid a flurry of big hair, long legs and pink leather jackets, watching the five girls get ready. The one spot of calm amid the chaos is Heidi's baby, Leni, who sleeps sweetly, cradled in her grandmother's arms. Snacks include Red Bull and piles of pasta salad — from this spread, Atkins is so last season for supermodels. The bus the women travel in is covered with pictures of the five girls in lingerie, but they barely notice as they're hustled inside. Gisele and Tyra perch near the front (motion sickness, apparently) while the other three huddle on the sofas at the back. At the airport, flashbulbs pop and the girls are interviewed by dozens of journalists. In the meantime, I investigate the plane, which is also covered with images of the girls. The inside is a riot of pink: blankets, seat covers and pillows, plus a leopard-print Mile High Makeover chair for last-minute touchups (I'd have preferred a Mile High Club seat, but no one asked). There are also racks of fashion magazines on the plane; Tyra grabs Marie Claire, only to scoff at a feature that suggests she spent $200 on a hairdryer. That's when it really hits me: I'll be spending the next three hours in a confined space with the world's most beautiful women and they'll have no choice but to talk to me. Sadly, though, this plane isn't just for Mark and the Models: Each has a chaperone (Heidi brought her mom and baby, for instance, while Gisele has her model booker), plus two TV crews, several Victoria's Secret honchos and an emergency hair and makeup team. Charlie Green, the peroxide pixie who oversees Victoria's Secret Beauty, raves about the girls' best features. For the record: it's Heidi's smile, Tyra's skin ("like butterscotch all over her body"), Alessandra's mouth, Gisele's bone structure and Adriana's eyes ("like a cat, feline and very dangerous"). I squeeze into the seat next to Alessandra first; she's the junior Angel, the latest recruit and the least well known, but still an Amazonian knockout. In fact, three of the five Angels are Brazilian, so I ask her to teach me a little Portuguese — after several minutes, I can only manage 'Hi, gostosa,' which roughly translates as 'Hey beautiful' (Gisele chuckles sweetly when I try it out on her later). Alessandra says she's done nothing special to get in shape for the tour. "Sometimes, I cut down on chocolate, but if I had to stop eating to be a model, I'd give up modeling," she explains (seeing her gorge on snacks later proves there is such a thing as supermodel genes). Then it's on to Tyra, who's so exhausted that she talks to me from behind a blanket: After offering some lingerie-buying tips — 30% of women buy the wrong size bra, she assures me — Tyra then confides the worst pick-up line she's ever heard. "Most men are too intimidated — but the man with no tooth, he's ready for me," she laughs, "One time, in an interview, I said I was looking for a normal man, and a few days later, a guy came up to me at the mall. He said 'Baby, I'm normal — I don't have a job, my car just got repossessed and I live with my mom.'" (And no, she didn't go out with him). Most of my conversation with Gisele is a blur. I do recall her pulling down her T-shirt and instructing me to stare at the lace bra underneath; her leaning over to drape herself on my shoulder; and then her grabbing both breasts, squeezing them together and displaying how well a Victoria's Secret push up bra works. I'm sure she also talks about some charity for street kids she's starting in Brazil, but I can't focus on anything except that lace bra. And then, of course, there's Heidi. Va-va-voom Klum has been cavorting round the plane since takeoff, making goofy faces and shimmying up the aisle; she's a supermodel as much for a sunny personality as a hot body, and everyone on the plane seems to adore her. Heidi's been with VS the longest of all the girls, and has well-honed advice on lingerie-buying for every guy. "A lot of girls cut the labels off, but check her drawer to see what the label is if you can. Whatever happens, you don't want to buy XL — if she's bigger, get different sizes and let her take them back. Up here go a little bigger," she says, cupping her breasts, before squeezing her thighs and adding, "down here a little smaller." Suddenly, the captain announces our arrival in Miami — and I haven't even had a chance to chat with Adriana. I'll see the girls the next day before they head off to a Miami Heat game. There's no goon guarding the suite this time, though otherwise it's the same as in New York — carb-heavy snacks, cans of Red Bull and a frenzy of TV crews; Gisele's sprawled on the sofa likening each model to a Spice Girl (she's Sporty, Tyra's Scary). Poor Adriana has a headache, but still makes time to talk as her makeup's done. Then, without warning, a call goes out that the girls must be ready to leave, and they're whisked away onto yet another bus before I can even say goodbye. A couple turn to wave as they run out of the door. For the first time in two days, I am supermodel-less; "Goodbye, gostosa," I say quietly to an empty room. But I'll always remember Gisele's lace bra. What I learned ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- |
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10 November, 2004
Source: Miami Herald Scene Heats Up When Models Hit Lincoln Road By Daniel Chang Neither wind, nor sun, nor an hours-long wait could deter several hundred starstruck fans from meeting their favorite lingerie supermodels Wednesday at the Victoria's Secret store on Lincoln Road. ''They're beautiful. They're so beautiful, they drove me here,'' gushed Jaime Rodriguez, who arrived at 9:30 a.m. for the noon event and was rewarded with the first place in a line that curved around the block and doubled back. All were waiting for a chance to meet and briefly chat with Tyra Banks, Gisele Bundchen, Heidi Klum, Alessandra Ambrosio and Adriana Lima. The supermodels were on the second stop of their Angels Across America promotional tour, bringing the catwalk to the sidewalks of New York, Miami, Las Vegas and Los Angeles, and drumming interest in Victoria's Secret's holiday line. Though none of the supermodels were clad in lingerie -- they wore chiffon dresses and flashbulb smiles while sitting behind a table -- no one seemed to care. All the fans seemed to want was a picture with the models, an autograph and a few words. They would only get the autographs and the words, since security prohibited fans from snapping photos of the supermodels. Instead, fans received an autographed glossy signed by each one. Erika Waserstein and Gaby Fleischman, two 16-year-olds ditching class at Hillel High School in North Miami Beach, exuded the sort of irrepressible enthusiasm typically reserved for teenaged girls. ''I wear everything of theirs,'' Waserstein said of Victoria's Secret. ``I'm wearing their bra and underwear now.'' ''We shop here all the time. I get all their catalogs. We have the Angel card,'' said Fleischman, referring to the Victoria's Secret store credit card. ''We're Angels,'' Waserstein said. She had recently seen a TV biography of Banks, who has gained even more fame as host of the UPN reality TV series America's Next Top Model, and said she felt inspired by the model's perseverance in an industry infamous for dashing dreams. Waserstein and Fleischman said they had their eyes on the new Flirty Attitude line of lingerie. ''It's sexy,'' Fleischman said. ''And it fits well,'' Waserstein added. ''Also,'' said Fleischman, referring to the enhancing effects of the popular Push Up bra, ``who needs implants when you have Victoria's Secret?'' |
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9 November, 2004
Source: heat.com Angels Across America Promotion At Miami Heat NBA Game On the heels of a spectacular Opening Night that saw the HEAT set an AmericanAirlines Arena attendance record, the HEAT today announced plans to maintain the momentum of Opening Night by creating special promotions targeted towards the remaining seat inventory in the 400 Level for Tuesday's HEAT versus Wizards match-up at 7:30PM.
The first 1,000 fans in their seats in the 400 Level will receive the popular "Back in Black" T-shirt that was handed out on Opening Night, courtesy of Carnival Cruise Lines. Next, the HEAT has made additional seats available for the Wizards game as part of the Pizza Hut HEAT Family Meal Deal promotion. With this promotion, fans can get four game tickets, four Pizza Hut arena pizzas, four soft drinks and four Pizza Hut Coupons for just $64. Additional Pizza Hut HEAT Meal Deal tickets are just $16. As an added incentive, selected lucky fans seated in the 400 Level will have the opportunity to meet the Victoria's Secret models that will be at the game as part of their "Angels Across America" tour. Victoria's Secret models Giselle Bundchen, Tyra Banks, Adriana Lima, Heidi Klum and Alessandra Ambrosio will participate in a halftime autograph session for selected fans, of which a guaranteed number will be selected from the 400 Level. Also, Victoria's Secret will be giving away five $1,000 Victoria's Secret gift cards to five lucky fans in attendance. At least one of the gift cards will be given to a randomly selected fan seated in the 400 Level. AmericanAirlines Arena was the place to be on Opening Night. Fans who missed out on that opportunity can see for themselves what everyone else is talking about. Tickets for the Wizards game and all remaining HEAT home games can be purchased online, by calling 1-800-4NBA-TIX, at the AmericanAirlines Arena Ticket Office or at all Ticketmaster outlets. |
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9 Novenber, 2004
Source: Fashion Wire Daily Angels Across America: A Field Trip, Victoria's Secret Style The destination: New York – Miami – Las Vegas – Los Angeles.
The passengers: Tyra Banks, Gisele Bundchen, Heidi Klum, Adriana Lima and Alessandra Ambrosio.
The Transportation: A private, customized "Angels" jet. On the agenda: An Angels Across America tour full of special appearances at sporting events and a rock concert interacting with fans, donating memorabilia and their own very special version of the "walk of fame" to celebrate and present the 2004 Victoria's Secret Holiday Gift collection. The luggage: Each angel picked her favorite gifts from the Victoria's Secret collection. Tyra Banks chose a very sexy plunge push up bra and a layered silk gown. Heidi Klum picked the Chantal Thomass European Collection and the Butterfly bikini novelty panties while Gisele Bundchen's choice was a pink sleep hoodie and hot pant and Very Sexy for Him colognes. Adriana Lima chose the Angels uplift bra in lace and Bejeweled Beauties lip gloss and Alessandra Ambrosio selected the Angels smocked baby doll and Ultimate Treasures Fragrance Coffret. Special Guest Appearances: the $10 million 2004 "Heavenly 70" Fantasy Bra and the $300,000 Basic Instinct Fantasy gift diamond choker. And as expected in an authentic field trip, there was a last minute change of plans. Instead of the very promising New York "kick off" appearance at the Victoria’s Secret store in Herald Square, the models were rushed to a private New Jersey airport and had to wave goodbye and smile to the cameras while climbing the jet. Yes, the very pink jet is for models-only and and yes, it is very sexy — but the pick up point for the Angels Across America tour at the private New Jersey hangar yesterday afternoon bore some unexpected resemblance to very memorable class field trips of yesteryear — or, at least the Victoria's Secret School of Models field trip. The girls got off a bus, all wearing their "pink ladies" Victoria's Secret matching jackets, with the excitement of the journey was in the air. Tyra Banks, the true winner of her "top model" show, decided to give her version of a "vote for me for school president" speech which, as expected, was full of lessons and an ambitious look to the future: "When I was young and eighteen I knew it all, the looks, the seasons, the cuts, the fabrics I am slowly towards the end of my modeling career so I don’t give a d***!" On "America’s Next Top Model," Banks said, "It's going really great, we have record numbers." Not without satisfaction she added, "The girls are way more competitive. They fight constantly — they fight so much that we have fights on the editing room floor, there's so many we don’t know what to choose." Banks also revealed her next step in "taking over the world," with her upcoming talk show. "I'll be interviewing normal folks, like human interest stories," she said. "It started with having a charity. I have a charity for young girls between the ages of thirteen to fifteen. I take sixteen girls up to the mountains once a year and we kind of have these discussions and talk and I got into interviewing these girls and digging deep into their lives." Banks closed the speech with her epiphany, saying, "I realized I have natural curiosity and I want to take it a step further. It's all about women, women of my generation." Outside of the jet, a cheerleader look-alike Heidi Klum had the most popular girl in school nightmare, saying, "Where did every body go? I thought they all left." Realizing everybody was still there, she said, "I am very exited about the trip, the good thing is that they are packing for us — we all have things made for us for this tour, kinda like rock and roll style." "It's very pink," Gisele Bundchen mentioned while settling in the backside of the jet. Modest and down-to-earth Bundchen talked about her recent role in the movie "Taxi" saying, "I'm not an actress, for me it's like, I love challenges and I love new things, and I think it's really important to do new things in your life and see where you go with them. For now, I'm twenty four and I really don't have the time to study and I really feel like I should, because this one, you know I was a Brazilian bank robber, pretty girl, what ever, it's like — Hello! It's not a big stretch for me." She described working on the set of "Taxi" saying, "I’m like talking to the guys, drinking my soda, and ‘action’ — o.k. WHAT AM I DOING?" The Brazilian Diva was happy to share some of her very cool style tips with FWD, too: "I shop at the flea market on 26th street [in New York City] on the weekends, I bought so much nice stuff there. I like vintage stuff a lot, you know I think it depends for what your wearing. I wear jeans and T-shirt — that’s my uniform since I was born — but for dresses I think Valentino makes the best dresses, he has a really amazing cut." She continued, "I think Dolce [D&G] makes really sexy dresses, it's like a different type. Johnny [Galliano] is great, he is so creative, every time you wear something and you want to make sure you are going to be noticed, you wear John Galliano. It depends on your mood, if I want to be more scandalous, most of the time I wanna be more low key." And last, but not least, the two "It's so cool to be here" girls — Adriana Lima and Alessandra Ambrosio — very appreciative of their great fortune in being a part of this top model power team, did not miss any opportunity to show some sexy poses and glamour looks to the cameras, even if it was while climbing the jet stairs. Bon Voyage! |
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| September 2004 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
22 September, 2004
Source: PR Newswire Victoria's Secret Supermodels Hit The Road In A Cross-Country Tour "Angels Across America" WHO: Victoria's Secret Supermodels: Tyra Banks, Gisele Bundchen, Heidi Klum, Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio
WHAT: Victoria's Secret celebrates the 2004 holiday season with a first- ever nationwide tour: Angels Across America. The Victoria's Secret Angels (Supermodels Tyra Banks, Gisele Bundchen, Heidi Klum, Adriana Lima, and Alessandra Ambrosio) will deliver holiday spirit to cities across the country, including New York, Chicago, Las Vegas and Los Angeles, via a private, customized 'Angels' jet. The Angels will stop in each city to present the 2004 Holiday Gift collection, interact with fans, donate memorabilia, attend sporting events and rock concerts, and host their own version of the 'Walk of Fame' ceremonies. The Angels Across America tour is Victoria's Secret's biggest, boldest holiday initiative yet. New York, NY The Angels will kick off their tour on Monday, November 8th in New York at the Victoria's Secret flagship store in Herald Square. They will arrive via a customized Angels Across America tour bus to present the 2004 Holiday collection and interact with fans. In the spirit of a true cross-country tour, the Angels will each be wearing custom-made Angels Across America tour jackets, designed exclusively for each Angel. Following their appearance, the Angels will head off to an undisclosed location to board the private Angels jet and embark upon the tour. Chicago, IL On Tuesday, November 9th, Victoria's Secret Angels will arrive in Chicago, the second stop for the Angels Across America tour. They will continue to spread holiday spirit at the Victoria's Secret Water Tower store and present the 2004 Holiday collection to their Chicago fans. Later all five Angels: Gisele, Heidi, Tyra, Adriana, and Alessandra will make a special appearance at a major Chicago sporting event. Las Vegas, NV Las Vegas welcomes the Victoria's Secret Angels Across America tour on Thursday, November 11th. The first stop in Vegas is the Las Vegas Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, where the Angels (Tyra, Gisele, Heidi, Adriana, and Alessandra) will be inducted into the Hard Rock Hall of Fame. In honor of their induction, the Angels will donate one-of-a kind Victoria's Secret memorabilia, which will be unveiled and prominently showcased in the Hard Rock lobby. At the Bellagio Hotel, the renowned fountain show will be more spectacular than ever with pink water to celebrate the arrival of Victoria's Secret, and the Angels will introduce a special holiday 'Santa Baby' version of the fountain show. Later in the evening, the Angels will announce a special performance by the Black Eyed Peas at the Palms Resort & Casino, which will be fully 'wrapped' in a Victoria's Secret building banner. Los Angeles, CA The final stop of the Angels Across America tour is Los Angeles, CA on Friday, November 12th. The Victoria's Secret store at the Grove will be the venue for the Victoria's Secret version of the Hollywood 'Walk of Fame' ceremony. Tyra, Gisele, Heidi, Adriana, and Alessandra will each leave a cement handprint to be displayed at the Grove, commemorating the 2004 Victoria's Secret Angels Across America tour. After the unveiling, the Angels will sign autographs for fans on commemorative photos, in the Grove Victoria's Secret store. The VH1 'All Access' special, documenting the entire journey, will be the
ultimate All Access Pass to everything behind-the-scenes on the whirlwind Angels Across America tour, including footage of the Angels in their private jet, daily appearances in each of the four cities, and everything in between. Viewers will see what the life of a Victoria's Secret Supermodel is really like and experience a close up on the lives and career paths of Gisele Bundchen, Heidi Klum, Tyra Banks, Adriana Lima, and Alessandra Ambrosio. In addition, VH1 will reveal previously unseen footage from years past that was too hot for network television. The one-hour special will air on Monday, December 13th. Victoria's Secret is the leading specialty retailer of lingerie and beauty products, dominating its world with modern, fashion-inspired collections, prestige fragrances and cosmetics, celebrated supermodels and world-famous runway shows. A business of Limited Brands, its nearly 1000 Victoria's Secret Lingerie and 1000 Beauty stores, the catalogue and VictoriasSecret.com allow customers to shop the brand anywhere, any time, from any place. ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- |
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| August 2004 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
6 August, 2004
Source: Fashion Wire Daily Think Pink! Young moms pushing strollers and teenage boys were delightfully surprised at The Grove yesterday when Victoria’s Secret supermodel Alessandra Ambrosio pulled up with a gaggle of fresh-faced females in a pink polka-dotted Hummer.
After getting lost on the way to The Grove on the short drive from the nearby Mondrian Hotel, the girls, like six-foot tall circus clowns, exited the SUV clad in Victoria’s Secret’s new PINK 2004 collection. Alessandra and her model friends cavorted in front of the Hummer and a very large pink polka-dotted dog for the benefit of professional photographers and a few lucky teen boys who were armed with camera phones. “I’m in heaven!” one said over and over to no one in particular. After the frolic, the models went inside the store while the members of “Team Pink” distributed hats, Frisbees and stuffed dogs to the somewhat befuddled passersby. “Team Pink” comprises twenty-two girls from colleges across the country that were recruited from a field of 4000 to be ambassadors for the line. “It’s all about being effortlessly sexy,” said University of Arizona student Anna Suarez. “It’s great to throw on and go to class—it’s young and fun!” The collection of bright tanks, short-shorts and camisoles are exactly what a young college co-ed might wear to class after she rolled out of bed late. Sexy without being vulgar, the line also includes pajama bottoms and panties. This fall, college girls will be tickled PINK! |
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| July 2004 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
29 July, 2004
Source: Associated Press Victoria's Secret Targets Women In College NEW YORK - Victoria's Secret is going to college. The lingerie retailer unveiled the "Pink" line of cotton loungewear and sleepwear targeting 18- to 22-year-olds on Thursday. At the launch of the fall 2004 collection, model Alessandra Ambrosio shepherded 20 college students, who were selected from a nationwide search to be spokeswomen in university dorms. It is Victoria's Secret's first fashion line designed specifically for college-aged women. Ambrosio and "Team Pink" (as the college gals have been named) arrived in their new short-shorts and tank tops at the Manhattan flagship store of Victoria's Secret in pink and white Hummer limos. The "Pink" collection is not necessarily pink, but is necessarily girlie. The line features vibrant-colored thongs, polka dot panties, tequila-blue colored T-shirt bras, and plenty of soft cotton pajamas. The spokeswomen were selected from thousands of applications from universities across the country in a search for what the "Team Pink" recruiter, Sara Tervo, calls "our ambassadors on campus." Tervo's criteria was not to find the sexiest or thinnest young women, but to find the ones who are "a leader on their campus — girls who everyone knows when they walk around campus." They are already getting the word out. Kokoa Lawson, a 20-year-old San Francisco State University student, said "You want to be cute, but comfortable" at school. Amy Porter, 20, of Ohio State University, likes the new direction for Victoria's Secret: "They have a lot of froufrou things, lots of lace. It was kind of constrictive and not comfortable. Now everything is comfortable." One potential consumer isn't disagreeing. Christian Bonds, 17, finds the clothes "really bright and really sexy." Victoria's Secret proclaims in a statement that the "Pink" collection "expresses that lingerie is more than just underwear, but a necessary and fashionable wardrobe extension." Some of the "ambassadors" are ready to wear the longer, more substantial pajamas right into the classroom. "You can sleep in it and get up for that 7 a.m. class, and go!" said Porter. |
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| April 2004 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
21 April, 2004 Brazilian bombshells Giselle Bundchen, Adriana Lima, Ana Beatriz and Alessandra Ambrosio dancing at nightclub nabob Danny A's table at Marquee. |
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| March 2004 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
22 March, 2004
MIAMI BEACH -- Spring break is booze, booty and big business.
When college kids head for sun and fun, they can learn something about Marketing 101. "Corporate America has infiltrated spring break, especially the last five years," says Paul Tedeschi. "It's at the saturation point in places like Panama City Beach. Go there and walk a couple of blocks, and you'll see setups for 20 companies." Tedeschi should know. His marketing firm, Mr. Youth, connects corporations with college kids. March to him is like April to a guy at H&R Block. The client list includes Nike, Dunkin' Donuts, Reebok, Samsung, Sprint, Coca-Cola, Calvin Klein, PlayStation and Nestle's. Victoria's Secret, the women's sexy lingerie company, hired Tedeschi and his partner, Matt Britton, to unveil and launch its new line, Pink, at spring break last week in the hip South Beach section of Miami Beach. It's the first time the company has introduced anything outside of a fashion show. "South Beach was a really good target for Victoria's Secret," says Britton. College kids hitting this beach have more money to spend than at other spring break stops. "Also," he adds, "Victoria's Secret has a strong retail presence in South Florida." Pink is for women 18 to 22 who want the sexiness of Victoria's Secret at a cheaper price. Bras start at $12.50 -- less than half of what a Victoria's Secret bra usually costs. Victoria's Secret hopes to lure young bra buyers from Target and Penney's underwear aisles and build brand loyalty, says Monica Mitro, a Victoria's executive. "They'll cross-shop, they'll buy lace and silk. But for now, they like having their own collection." Here's your spring break marketing lesson: First, match the product with the place. You can't take Victoria's Secret to Panama City Beach because those kids don't have the money South Beach breakers have. In Panama City, they've got PlayStation. In South Beach, they've got free Pink panties. What about South Padre Island? MTV likes that spring break locale, but corporations don't. "Too regional," says Tedeschi. How about Cancun, Mexico? Though it's the No. 1 off-shore college spring break stop, Tedeschi says it's too risky for many corporations. "Jamaica, too. Companies don't want to leave the U.S." After you match the right spring breakers with the right product, you begin The Buzz. Create excitement about your event. "Technology, fashion, music," says Britton. "You leverage those to hit critical mass." Victoria's buzz was a gift-wrapped, three-story, pink polka-dot box built in South Beach's Lummus Park four days before their Wednesday model-strutting event. Mr. Youth hired 20 buzz girls -- wearing tight tops from the new line -- to work Collins Avenue, Ocean Drive and Lummus Park, handing out "invitations" to the 4 p.m. Wednesday event. "When the Countdown Ends, The Party BEGINS!" The event -- right on time -- exploded with hot hip-hop music, the very hot Brazilian model Alessandra Ambrosio, 10 more models and plenty of free stuff. Loads of free stuff. Victoria's Secret gave away 2,000 tank tops, 2,500 beach balls and 2,000 floppy hats. There was pink water, Italian ice, bracelets, stickers, temporary tattoos, beach bags -- all with the Pink logo. But the most important giveaway was about 2,000 plastic cards good for a free pair of Pink cotton underwear at one of six Miami-area Victoria's Secret stores. (The Pink line is now at the Victoria's Secret stores at the Wellington and Boynton Beach malls.) The number of cards that are redeemed would tell Victoria's Secret whether the launch was a success. "The event ended around 5:30," reports Monica Mitro, a Victoria's executive vice president. "I walked to the South Beach store," and by 6 p.m., "we already had 300 people that redeemed the free panties." |
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17 March, 2004
Source: Miami Herald Pink Slip This afternoon in South Beach, Victoria's Secret is going on spring break. But no sloppy, beer-soaked nights for this most American of lingerie makers. Instead, it's launching Pink, a lingerie line for young women, with a fashion show/party. And the folks from Victoria's Secret are hoping for not so much a captive audience as a captivated one -- spring breakers willing to trade in amateur eye candy on the beach for professional lingerie models on the runway. Spring break draws tens of thousands of college kids to South Beach these days. MTV and Girls Gone Wild have videotaped there during the annual rite of passage. ''It's a great and logical place to do [the launch], particularly during school break,'' said Ed Razek, Victoria's Secret's creative director. Pink ``is fun and energetic and has a great spirit, and so does South Beach.'' The Brazilian model Alessandra Ambrosio is to take to the runway, mounted in Lummus Park on Ocean Drive, at 3 p.m. to officially roll out Pink (though the line has been in 325 of the company's 1,500 stores for months). The fashion show, part of a new marketing strategy for the lingerie monolith, will mark the first time a company launch has been open to the public or in South Florida. Victoria's Secret, owned by Limited Brands, has always cultivated the fantasy of the well-heeled vamp, from its luxurious catalog spreads to its wallpapered, softly lit dressing rooms. But while its lingerie has been marketed to women in their 20s and 30s, Pink is intended for a more innocent aesthetic -- and a smaller bank account. The line, mostly in pink and white, includes camisoles, panties and bras, among other things. Bras start at $12.50, and the most expensive item is a $49.50 robe. Bras in the rest of the store start at $35 and run up to $225, for one with European lace and stitched crystals. ''This is the first time we've geared a collection to the younger lifestyle, which is whimsical, fun and colorful and very fashionable,'' spokeswoman Monica Mitro said. ``This is for walking around campus, shopping and for both innerwear and outerwear.'' Pink was in development for five years before it was introduced in some company stores. The collection, separated from the rest of the store's lingerie, can be found in an area with a more youthful décor. ''It doesn't quite fit into the romantic style that we have,'' Mitro said. Express and Gap have long designed undergarments for a young demographic, said Susan Rolontz, executive vice president of Tobé, a New York retail consultant. Victoria's Secret will likely be able to compete, she said, as long as it becomes associated with more than sex kittens. ''They want to shed their sexy image,'' she said. ``It's probably a good idea.'' Forging brand loyalty among teenagers would be a smart move in the long run, said Katie Dominy, senior editor of Lingerie/Swimwear for WGSN, a retail-research and -trend analyst in London. ''To tap that teenage market -- who increasingly have large amounts of money to spend -- if you can get a customer in there and sell them their first bra, they're much more likely to come back when they're older,'' she said. The marketing for Pink will have a natural bent, as opposed to the sexy photos usually used to promote Victoria's Secret merchandise. The company is hoping that the 22-year-old Ambrosio's petite frame and exuberant expressions will speak to women ages 18 to 22. ''She's one of the most beautiful, spirited and fun girls I've ever known,'' Razek said. ``She signifies everything about the brand.'' Ambrosio, who's had an exclusive lingerie contract with Victoria's Secret for three years, said that she isn't used to being a model and a host at the same time but that Miami suits her just fine. ''It's a very sexy city, so when you're on the beach shooting, you feel sexy, you feel comfortable,'' a laughing Ambrosio said Tuesday between shoots in New York. ``And that's my life.'' |
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| December 2003 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
16 December, 2003 Hummer Taps Regis Philbin For New Television Commercial: New Ads To Break During Dec. 14 NFL Games DETROIT - In two new television ads, HUMMER will show audiences different sides of the brand. "Each of these ads reflect a different facet of the brand's unique personality," said Liz Vanzura, director of HUMMER advertising and sales promotion. "One plays to the luxury side of the brand, the other plays to the escapism side of the brand." One of the new commercials will begin airing on Sunday, Dec. 14, during NFL broadcasts. Titled "Yacht," it features entertainment personality Regis Philbin and Victoria Secret model Alessandra Ambrosio in a scenario that gives a whole new meaning to "off roading." In the second spot, titled "Illumination Night," HUMMER owners take their families out to a unique location to enjoy themselves and each other. "It is about enthusiasts coming together while showcasing what their HUMMERs can do and where they can take you," said Vanzura. Boston-based Modernista! is the advertising agency that created the commercials. "Trucks, supermodels, yachts and Regis - What's not to like?" said Gary Koepke, co-founder of Modernista! "Both ads are very aspirational spots." "Yacht" is a 30-second commercial. "Illumination Night" exists as both 30-second and 60-second versions. HUMMER REGIS PHILBIN Since Philbin first stepped in front of the camera 40 years ago, he has ambitiously tackled talk shows, game shows, the literary world, and even the fashion industry. A native of New York City, Philbin is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and received an honorary doctorate of law degree for his contributions to Notre Dame and South Bend. Regis and his wife Joy have two grown daughters, Joanna and Jennifer. |
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| November 2003 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
14 November, 2003 The pressure of strutting the catwalk at the Victoria's Secret fashion show must have taken a toll on Alessandra Ambrosio. The sexy supermodel burst into tears Thursday night when the door dominatrixes outside Svedka vodka's after-party refused to admit her entourage until other partygoers left. After the blubbering Brazilian took refuge from the night's 50 mph winds in a nearby pay-phone stall, warmer hearts prevailed, and she and her pals were allowed into the sardine-packed soiree. Among the boldfaced and the beautiful crowding the sprawling Hudson Street triplex - once rented to MTV's "The Real World" for $55,000 a month - were VS vixens Gisele Bundchen, Heidi Klum and Karolina Kurkova, Sting, Chris Noth, Candace Bushnell, Donald Trump, Damon Dash, Jason Patric and Pharrell Williams. But not all celebrities are created equal. Hard rockers P.O.D. were left out in the cold, and David Copperfield showed up too late to get in. |
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| July 2003 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
July 2003 The Elite Model Look 2003 kicked-off July 16th here in Miami Beach and finished-up last Saturday night in a lush outdoor setting at the ocean-front Palms South Beach Hotel, where three finalists were chosen to advance to Elite's World Finals to be held this fall. Only thirty girls out of more than 400,000 hopefuls who had previously been discovered in cities from Marion, Indiana and Clarksville, Tennessee to Bridgeport, West Virginia and Puyallup, Washington were chosen to compete in this USA Finals event. The contestant's schedule during their three days at the Palms South Beach hotel in Miami Beach was a whirlwind of activity beginning with a group dinner at Nicola Siervo's Metro Kitchen at the Astor hotel where the girls got to know each other and were also exposed to a little South Beach glamour, as Taye Diggs plus a few cast members from "That Seventies Show" were dining just a few feet away. Then it was on to the business of meeting with top magazine editors and international talent scouts, attending yoga classes, runway rehearsals, photo shoots, fittings with designer Liz Collins, and completing a professional beauty makeover at Stella Salon in South Beach. A busy schedule indeed. Since its creation in 1983, the Elite Model Look search has become the international standard for discovering the most beautiful new faces in the world, faces that will go on to grace the covers of the world's most prestigious fashion magazines and film productions. Cindy Crawford, Stephanie Seymour, Karen Mulder, Linda Evangalista, Gisele B�ndchen and many more of the world's top models all began their careers with the Elite Model Look contest. Hosting Saturday night's runway show and contest finale was Ashley Scott, also a former Model Look contestant. Ashley was the star of The WB's Birds of Prey series where she played Helena Kyle (and her alter-ego, Huntress) the beautiful daughter of Bruce Wayne and Selena Kyle, better known as Batman and Catwoman. Ashley also recently completed filming on Trespassing, a sci-fi thriller that stars Estella Warren. Ashley's latest film, due out in August of 2003 is S.W.A.T. starring Samuel L. Jackson and Colin Farrell. Girls get started in the Elite Model Look competition by attending one of the many Elite Model events held across America and in fifty countries around the world. Girls unable attend one of these numerous events may also enter the competition by following a mail-in procedure that sets out the exact standards for the four photos required for entry. Professional photos are not required, and are actually discouraged, in that talent scouts are looking to determine a girl's natural beauty, not the beauty created by photographers and make-up artists. Girls who follow the mail-in procedure stand just as much chance of being selected for final competition as other girls, and as a matter of fact, one of the contestants in Saturday night's Miami Beach USA finals�Sarah Beth Cooley�was a mail-in winner. While three "winners" were chosen during the USA Finals to advance to the World Finals competition this fall, all of the girls participating in the event benefit immensely from the experience. This unique event provides girls with valuable exposure to international model scouts, photographers and fashion industry VIPs. The training and experience they receive in a celebrity-packed runway show setting provides a priceless jumpstart for their modeling careers. The Elite organization assembles a top team of judges that are at the forefront of today's fashion world, from magazine booking editors and model editors, to its own talent scouts. Such people will have a hand in defining the coming styles and trends, and they know implicitly what look will be required to convey those trends to the world. Judging this year's Finals competition were a team of eleven fashion industry and magazine publishing professionals, including:
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| November 2000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
30 November, 2000 Models entwined with their mates may be the latest trend in high fashion ads. Brazilian-born beauty Erica Redling, 17, recently posed for a sexy shoot with model boyfriend Yure for upscale Italian line Tussardi. The ravishing Redling was following in the footsteps of her fellow Marilyn Agency mannequin Alessandra Ambrosio, 18, who was featured in an Oscar de la Renta campaign with her model beau Marcello. |
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