Tori

This is my opinion as well. The model search thing was a major misstep but I thought the quality of the runway segments was better than previous years. If they could take that and translate it into a full-length show, then it would be a good thing. Most of the "new faces" were all rather nondescript IMO. It pains me to say that Chanel was the only one who really stood out. The rest of them just blended in with the rest of the "nobody" models. The fact that these are the models that VS are banking on to be the future of the brand makes me laugh. Pretty faces, but dreadfully boring and lacking in any kind of star power or charisma. I feel the same way about Doutzen as an angel. She and Miranda did a CBS interview together to promote the show, and Miranda basically took over. Miranda was engaging. Doutzen was barely awake. She seems to show very little enthusiasm towards her role as an angel. It's just more proof that being pretty isn't enough. I also don't think Alessandra's opening was terrible. Her opening outfit sucked, but when she walked out, I could feel an energy from her. Her walk was very "her" if that makes any sense. It was her normal slow, draggy, bouncy walk, and it worked for her. I actually think this would have been her year to open even if "Saint Adriana" had been there. No angel has ever opened the show three years in a row in recent years, and I can't see her being the one to do it. I think that even VS would have felt it was time to mix it up. At the very least, opening the show is another notch on her angel milestone belt. Even if she never opens again, you can't say that she never has at all. (I say this as someone who can't stand her.)

That's not too bad. It's not down that much from last year and still higher than the low points of 2006 and 2007. More thoughts on the show after re-watching today: - I'm not feeling the Abbey Love either. It screamed of "Give me a contract VS." - The BEP opening was so big that I don't think the George Michael thing would have really worked. I like the idea of the footage that they did use - the backstage shots and saying the models names was something different. They just should have held the models' faces just a little bit longer, and they should have had the angel-nobodies film something too instead of mixing in runway footage of them. It clearly seems to be a last minute decision to add the five of them (Rosie, Candice, Lindsay, Erin, and Behati) in the opening credits. - The show is so much better when you watch it without the model search segments. - The music wasn't the best, but the only song that I really didn't like was "Happy"... They could have come with something better than that, but the final segment lacked cohesiveness in general with the mish-mash of outfits. - The Lacie commercial reminded me of the SAS sale commercial with Oluchi, Heidi, etc.

They did. It's probably also why they blurred Candice's ass when they showed her running backstage in the one-leg outfit.

The actual runway that they showed was good. Too bad there wasn't that much of it. The editing wasn't that bad. The runway segments weren't choppy, they cut down on the overuse of the slo-mo shots, and I liked the view of the models from behind at the end of the runway. Also, Heidi's hosting wasn't overbearing. She just had a sentence or two, then they moved on. Unfortunately, it was on to model search b-s. That was the big negative - way too much of that in the show. I guess the bio stuff that we saw Ale and Behati shooting around NYC ended up on the cutting room floor. And I found it interesting that Erin H's name was mentioned in the opening credits.

Yep, all on pages 323 and 324. Thanks jal! Miranda Kerr: Alexa Chung Chick From Gossip Girls

From VSPressRoom.com

November 20th in NYC Photos from CelebBuzz And three more unseen VS pictures

New VS not previously posted.

Casting - It was decent this year. There are three models that I would have left out (Caroline W, Julia, and Shannan), but there's no missing model that makes me think "The show would have been amazing if ______ was there." So good job VS. Outfits - 1st segment: 10 out of 12, Don't like Ale's pink or Erin's whatever that was. Favorite = Abbey Lee's purple and silver. - 2nd segment: 4 out of 12, pluses Doutzen, Marisa, Aminata, Rosie. Minus = everyone else, no favorite. - 3rd segment: 2 out of 12, Go to jail. Go directly to jail. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200.. This section just solidifies my dislike of the p!nk line. Candice and Dorothea got cute outfits. Everyone else... Not so much. Again, no favorite. - 4th segment: 12 out of 14, Best segment IMO. Don't like Heidi or Caroline W's outfits, but everyone else's was very pretty. Favorites = Caroline T and Miranda - 5th segment: 6 out of 14, Thumbs up = Marisa, Miranda, Aminata, Rosie, Ana BB, Sessilee. I'm glad Miranda got to keep the black. Favorites = Marisa and Miranda Angels Marisa - Surprising that she only got two outfits considering that she got three last year. They could have found a third one somewhere for her in there. The two looks that she did get were very flattering on her though. Miranda - Even though I know it wasn't the case, it feels like Miranda showed up early, got her pick of the best outfits and left the other angels with the leftovers. She got three very good outfits and wore them all very well. The other angels can't say the same IMO. Alessandra - poor Ale, she's like the forgotten middle child or something. It feels like with each of her outfits, there was somebody in the same segment who had a better or more eye-popping one. Doutzen - That feather thing was just wrong. They should have just put her in normal white wings. Her face (which looks great as usual) makes up for her dull and unflattering outfits. Her green outfit was the only cute one, but like Ale - other models got better outfits than she did in the other segments. Heidi - Not the best she's looked, but good for her on walking. Editing Don't have high exectations for this yet. The last segment in particular seems to lack cohesiveness. There are outfits mixed in there that don't really seem to flow together. I guess I'll wait to see what it looks like in editing because it doesn't make sense right now. It's far too early for me to say who the so-called "star" of the show is. There are models who looked really good, but it could all be a different story when it comes down to the editing. Some of the alleged "stars" of previous years have ended up with much less screen-time than expected/anticipated.

Golden, literally. 3 out of 5 blondes (and one of them who has been mistaken for the other two in paparazzi shots, LOL). No offense to their fans, but blondes do nothing for me, so that line-up is one big yawn for me. Behati would be the only saving grace if it weren't for the fact that I detest the P!NK line. From what I've seen so far, it looks like she has the best outfits this year. The rocket shoulders are extreme, but the pink bra and panty set underneath is quite lovely IMO. Her wings are nice too and like I mentioned before - the black set is great. I think it works on her because she isn't an over-the-top sexpot. On anyone else it could look very "skanky whore extraordinaire."

I think it's more likely that the extra time will be devoted to the shitty model search or a BEP performance. My suggestion? Use the extra time to do a farewell tribute to Heidi.

Apparently there's only five segments this year according to stylist Charlotte Stockdale. Elle.com Miranda's black outfit is fabulous. I hope she gets to keep it.

A little presumptuous aren't we, Chanel? Tyra and Gisele didn't even wear wings every single year that they were angels. You know, the devil was an angel at one point too before he got kicked out of heaven. This girl is going to be the angel from hell. Ditto - and if they aren't blonde, then they are light brown ala Ale. Last year was heavy on blondes too, and we haven't seen some of the other allegedly confirmed models like Anja, Anne V, and Maryna - three more blondes. It makes me happy that Miranda went back to darker hair. She really pops on that first row with all of the other angels having lighter shades of hair.

I actually like Liu's first outfit. It could use more embellishment and the panties need to be a little smaller, but I think she can pull it off. It fits in with Selita's pikachu corset and Miranda's rocket shoulders. She can make it work as long as she walks down the runway tough and bad ass - not cutesy and kissy. I hope they play "Supernova" by Mr Hudson and Kanye West during that segment. It would fit really well with the "Star Trooper" theme.

Look here Second row, #38 (two before Doutzen @ #40) is that Miranda's name with an orange "W" post-it for wings I can't quite make out the name. And look further down #48, is that Candice's name also with an orange "W" post-it for wings as well?

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Miranda was a fit model as well. I can't remember if it was 2005 or 2006 though. ::edit:: But no, the fit models aren't automatically confirmed.

http://www.google.com/trends It's not the actual numbers, but a scale based on the average amount of traffic.

We don't know when her contract ends as we don't know exactly when she signed the first time. The only way we'll probably know she didn't get an extension is when she isn't there anymore. And you're right. She might already have one. The people around Miranda don't seem to leak info (positive or negative) the way other models do. We only find out about her stuff after the fact or from her directly when she mentions it in an article. I agree. I just checked Google Trends to compare the five non-Heidi angels. The worldwide traffic for 2009 so far ranks: Adriana, Miranda, Marisa, Alessandra, Doutzen. When you just limit it to regionally (the US) the averages are: Adriana, Marisa, Miranda, Alessandra, and Doutzen. But Miranda was second for July and August. I know it isn't 100% scientific data, but they are interesting numbers to think about. I think she has more of a name/following than is assumed. Not a good look at the Hugs Gala. The make-up looks off and the hair should have been either all the way up or all the way down. She might have styled herself for this one. The dress is a pretty color on her though, and she and Sharen look cute in the pictures posing together. The last picture in the first VH post though... let's just say she needs to pose from the front until she puts a little more weight back on - nevermind, after comparing it to older pics she doesn't look that different. Lilso that's an adorable picture of MK. The pictures from that session (PinkCouture posted a similar one recently) would make cute covers for the Last Minute Gift books.

Except for Karolina and Miranda. The two of them looked amazing, but after them VS ran out of ideas. Adriana basically had on a two piece pajama set and Julia had on a dress. The set decorations need to be stepped up a notch. I like the idea of the rotating set from 2005 - and it was Christmas themed so you got the element of holiday. The 2006 set was remarkably simple, but it worked. The runway was just too short. I don't know what they were thinking last year. Too much was happening on the stage. The live band, chandelier trees, Usher... No more singers on the runway with the models. They've done that 3 years in a row now. It's time to give that up too. I don't want to see shortcake Fergie out there with the models. That'd just be... bad. A giant like Julia would make her look like a gnome.

Well they did a Pharrell video together and had a joint birthday party in 2007 along with Jessica Hart who is now in the catalogues as well. I don't know if the two of them are as close now, but they appeared to be at one point. I'm curious to see how the angels will be promoted at the show and during the marketing blitz for it. Will they just "introduce" the new ones and let the public get their first peek but rely on the four that they have been actively marketing? Selita and Izabel were "introduced" in 2005 but they didn't take on promotional roles until 2006. Or will they throw them out there when it's time to actively market the show - teaming one up with a longer tenured angel? I want to see more jewel tones for the outfits. Last year they had mostly black and all the pastels to tie in with the supermodels obsessions line. I'm all about more wings, more variety, and less models.

Very true. Contracts get cancelled or mutally disbanded all the time. When Tyra decided to retire, I don't think VS was all - "Um, no bitch. You have a contract. Put on the panties and suck it up." I posted something about a "Perfect 10" scenario. Remember when Gisele left there was talk of "five hotter, younger models?" Could this new line-up finally be the culmination of something that's been in the works for the last couple of years? They were just waiting for what they felt was the right mix of girls? 11 angels are a lot, but you're right, mbinebri. VS could want to move in that direction. I'm just going to wait and see at this point. I'm not so worried for the ones I thought I was for anymore. Looking forward to seeing Miranda in the show this year because she's definitely on a roll right now. Give her some wings and let her open! I think this might be their way of taking back some control over their brand. The fans freakin' hijacked the show last year. Way too much info came out way too soon last year IMO. It spoiled some of the mystery for me. From taking down the unreleased commercials and keeping things closer to the vest, I see VS as regaining control of what is theirs and doing things on their terms. I like the secretive feel to things. It's making me more excited. Here is my prediction for the show. I am 82.367%* confident that we will not get the same show opener and same show closer that we got in 2007 and 2008. (*I'm not 100% because Heidi scares me, LOL. She could have us all in a lull and then break out the bustier and be like "Ha, ha bitches. Take that! I had you fooled.")

Miranda has an 8 page editorial in the December issue of US Glamour. It's the multiple cover issue with Michelle Obama, Serena Williams, Rihanna etc. It's called "It's Your Day Off. Dress Like It!" It was photographed by Peggy Sirota. It's really cute. She was blonde when she shot it. Hopefully someone will scan it for you guys soon. I don't have one. I wasn't expecting to see it when I was flipping through my magazine. There's a brief bio attached too, so it's not one of those "nameless model" editorials. The girl has been doing A LOT of work lately. This makes her 4th editorial in the last month or so, and her pictures from the Pirelli calendar will be released in a couple of weeks as well. Go Miranda! If all of this work is what possibly being on your way out of VS gets you, then I'm all for it. :::edited to add::: I'm all confused now. With signing 5 new models, I was worried that VS might consider her expendable, but I don't think the people who aren't fans can deny that Miranda has buzz and is on the upswing. I can't think of the last time any of the current (non-new) angels broke out with 4 editorials at once. VS can't buy a profile rising like this. I don't know. She might not be as expendable as people think. :::edited again to say::: You know what? Scratch that on the 4 editorials. I was wrong. Since the beginning of October, Miranda has had 6 editorials come out. 1. Sunday Herald Sun 2. Grazia 3. V 4. Chicago Social 5. Harper's Bazaar Australia and now 6. US Glamour This is in addition to Pirelli out soon, and I think I remember mentioning her doing something for GQ Italy.

I think that's why even though she's my favorite of the current group, I wouldn't be heartbroken if she left. It would have been a great run for her, and she has the potential to be a true mainstream personality back home.. I have high hopes for Lindsay. Will she be the most drooled over angel? Probably not, but she could be one of the more successful ones. Not everyone is into that va-va-voom bombshell kind of thing. She could slide right into Miranda's safe and sexy niche. I say let Lindsay open the show this year and give her some wings. She's been doing the show just as long as Candice. Time to take her out of the p!nk section. I think it's time to replace Behati as the p!nk spokesmodel too, but I have no idea who you would replace her with.

Quite simply, their contracts were not renewed. Selita still models for the catalogue though and she said on her Twitter she would be in show (we'll see), so the company still values her in some respect. By negative sentiment, I'm referring to their initial signings. A lot of VS fans were taken aback by their signings didn't think either of them deserved to be angels (kind of like the same thing I'm reading in regards to Chanel and Lindsay). Izabel and Selita both had their fans, but the company opted not to renew their contracts. My opinion is that when they left, I think in a way some people saw it as a validation of their opinion that they didn't deserve to be there in the first place. I just don't get that same kind of vibe with Miranda, Marisa, or Doutzen. Not surprising that the two of them weren't around for a long time, and it wouldn't be surprising if some of the others weren't either. The angels as an entity themselves have only been around 11 years, so 3 to 4 years with the company is the norm - not the exception.