Worth the weight? Alessandra Ambrosio had to strengthen her back for 30lb wings that took seven years to make
By Lauren Paxman
In theory the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show is all about trying to get people to buy the label's underwear.
The reality, though, is a little different.
When Alessandra Ambrosio stepped onto the catwalk, noone was looking at her black push up bra. It was the six foot wide Jenny Manik Mercian wings the model was wearing which stole the limelight.
Angelic beauty: Alessandra Ambrosio's Passion Play Fan Wings, took seven years to design and make and were encrusted with 105,000 Swarovski crystalsThe 30-pound pair of Passion Play Fan Wings, took an astonishing seven years to design and make and were encrusted with 105,000 Swarovski crystals as well as larger and light and dark blue stones.
Designed and made in Sydney by Manik Mercian, Ambrosio's copper wings are plated with 23-carat gold.
All that work for just 30 seconds on the catwalk.
The volume or adornments make these the heaviest wings ever made for Victoria's Secret.
The 30-year-old Angel confessed to lifting more weights during her preparation for the show than usual.
Heavy load to carry: Designed and made in Sydney by Jenny Manik Mercian, Ambrosio's copper wings are plated with 23-carat gold
Dramatic entrance: Alessandra takes to the stage at the show in New York last night'I tried to strengthen my back a little bit,' Ambrosio said.
During the ballet portion of the show, the Brazilian model wore a tutu and Maria Ficalora Knitwear with the VS Dream Angels push up bra.
Her daughter, Anja, who accompanied her mother to rehearsals was a big fan of the costume.
Ambrosio said: 'She was just playing model, she was being an Angel . . .
'She didn't see the costumes, she only saw the wings. She saw the wings, and she was like, "Mama! I have all these wings too at home! I have a butterfly, I have angel wings!"
Supermodel superhero: The Brazilian 30-year-old looks like a comic book character with these huge wings
Under-where? Two of the other looks Ambrosio wore during the show which detracted a little from the underwear she was modelling
Victoria's Angels: Ambrosio (front left) holding hands with Adriana Lima for the show's finaleShe has tons of wings, she was comparing our angel wings with hers.'
The model first appeared in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in 2000.
In 2004, she was selected as the first spokesmodel for the Victoria's Secret PINK line and became an Angel.
The following year, Ambrosio wore lingerie made entirely from sweets, and in 2008, she walked just three months after giving birth to Anja.
Ambrosio has also modelled for Armani Exchange, Christian Dior, and Ralph Lauren.
Little princess: Ambrosio took her daughter Anja, pictured on her way to a Halloween party, to rehearsals for the show
By Lauren Paxman
In theory the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show is all about trying to get people to buy the label's underwear.
The reality, though, is a little different.
When Alessandra Ambrosio stepped onto the catwalk, noone was looking at her black push up bra. It was the six foot wide Jenny Manik Mercian wings the model was wearing which stole the limelight.
Angelic beauty: Alessandra Ambrosio's Passion Play Fan Wings, took seven years to design and make and were encrusted with 105,000 Swarovski crystals
Designed and made in Sydney by Manik Mercian, Ambrosio's copper wings are plated with 23-carat gold.
All that work for just 30 seconds on the catwalk.
The volume or adornments make these the heaviest wings ever made for Victoria's Secret.
The 30-year-old Angel confessed to lifting more weights during her preparation for the show than usual.
Heavy load to carry: Designed and made in Sydney by Jenny Manik Mercian, Ambrosio's copper wings are plated with 23-carat gold
Dramatic entrance: Alessandra takes to the stage at the show in New York last night
During the ballet portion of the show, the Brazilian model wore a tutu and Maria Ficalora Knitwear with the VS Dream Angels push up bra.
Her daughter, Anja, who accompanied her mother to rehearsals was a big fan of the costume.
Ambrosio said: 'She was just playing model, she was being an Angel . . .
'She didn't see the costumes, she only saw the wings. She saw the wings, and she was like, "Mama! I have all these wings too at home! I have a butterfly, I have angel wings!"
Supermodel superhero: The Brazilian 30-year-old looks like a comic book character with these huge wings
Under-where? Two of the other looks Ambrosio wore during the show which detracted a little from the underwear she was modelling
Victoria's Angels: Ambrosio (front left) holding hands with Adriana Lima for the show's finale
The model first appeared in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in 2000.
In 2004, she was selected as the first spokesmodel for the Victoria's Secret PINK line and became an Angel.
The following year, Ambrosio wore lingerie made entirely from sweets, and in 2008, she walked just three months after giving birth to Anja.
Ambrosio has also modelled for Armani Exchange, Christian Dior, and Ralph Lauren.
Little princess: Ambrosio took her daughter Anja, pictured on her way to a Halloween party, to rehearsals for the show