What to expect from Victoria’s Secret 2017 in Shanghai

Here come the supermodels, to shine in Shanghai!

Models for 2017 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show gather for a group photo. /CGTN Photo‍

The 2017 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, one of the industry’s most glamorous events, is set to kick off in Shanghai on Monday at the Mercedes-Benz Arena, as angels got together for a group photo on Saturday.

It is the first time ever the event landed in a Chinese city and in Asia. A total of 55 supermodels were confirmed to walk the runway, with a record number of seven Chinese models.

So what could be expected at the show?

Models for 2017 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show gather for a group photo. /CGTN Photo‍

Six categories of lingerie

Black leather jacket, white T-shirt and skintight jeans… the supermodels arrived at the arena at Shanghai Expo on Saturday morning, waving and cheering at the photographers during the group-photo shoot ahead of the show.

According to the official announcement earlier, there will be six categories in this year’s show, including the Nomadic Adventure, Goddesses, Winter’s tale, Porcelain Angels, Punk Angels and Millennial Nation.

Lauren Pilz, who works for the Public Relations and Communications for the show, told CGTN that there are altogether 57 looks.

Models for 2017 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show gather for a group photo. /CGTN Photo‍

Fantasy Bra

This year, the most stunning Fantasy Bra that costs some two million US dollars, will be presented by 27-year-old Brazilian model Lais Ribeiro, who will walk her sixth VS show in Shanghai.

The bra is a handmade with diamonds, yellow sapphires and blue topaz in 18 karat gold, dubbed as “Champagne Nights Fantasy Bra”.

Ribeiro was quoted by a magazine earlier as saying that she had "never cried so much" in her entire life when she found out she would be wearing the much sought-after fantasy bra, "and I have a baby," added the supermodel.

Luxurious as it is, the fantasy bra for this year’s show has already seen a price-cut compared with last year’s garment which is worth about three million US dollars.

Victoria's Secret Angel Lais Ribeiro revealed to wear the "Champagne Nights Fantasy Bra" at Victoria's Secret 5th Avenue Store on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2017, in New York. Ribeiro will wear the $2 million bra during the upcoming Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

Record number of Chinese models

A record number of Chinese models will walk down the runway this year. Besides Liu Wen, He Sui, Ming Xi and Ju Xiaowen who walked during last year’s show, several new faces will join in Team China.

Xie Xin, a newly rising star in the modeling world who's frequently featured in fashion magazines, will be expected at the show. She was in the editorials for T Magazine, Harper’s Bazaar China and Vogue China.

Estelle Chen, who is only 19 years old, will be another new Chinese face on this year’s line-up. A Chinese descendant raised in France, she will be one of the youngest to have access to the show this year.

Wang Yi, who was shot to fame through a Chinese talent show for models, will also walk after grabbing the championship in the show. She has showed up on Saturday's group photo.

Six of the Chinese models pose for a selfie. /Photo via Sina Weibo

Performers still a surprise

The musical acts for the show, however, remain a little bit mystery this year, for there was no official announcement yet. Online speculations include Harry Styles, Taylor Swift and Katy Perry. But Perry has reportedly failed to get her visa.

Earlier on Saturday, Lauren Pilz told CGTN that the list will remain as a surprise for the last minute.

Victoria's Secret flagship store in Shanghai. /Photo via Global Times

The lingerie brand has been targeting the Chinese market in recent years, as it opened its first flagship store in Shanghai in February, and only one month later, the second store was opened in Chengdu of southwest China’s Sichuan Province. A Beijing store could also be expected soon.

The Chinese women’s underwear market reportedly stood at 21 billion US dollars in 2016, according to the market research firm Euromonitor International. And the number is estimated to hit 26 billion by 2021.

The show will be aired globally by CBS on November 28, 2017. With carpet rolled out and lights turned on, let the show begin!