PARIS — The laciest, if not raciest, catwalk event of the year — aka, the Victoria's Secret fashion show — is taking place in Paris on Wednesday night.
Among the anticipated highlights: performances by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars, as well as a $3 million Fantasy bra modelled by Jasmine Tookes. Here's a backstage preview:
$3 MILLION FANTASY BRA
Tookes is the third black Angel chosen to wear the Victoria's Secret Fantasy bra, considered the piece de resistance of the brand's catwalk display.
The bra, glimmering with thousands of gemstones, was presented like crown jewels ahead of the show. An incredible work of art, it was designed by Eddie Borgo and hand-crafted over 700 hours with gems from jeweler AWMouzannar.
"It is so beautiful. It's covered in white diamonds and emeralds and it has about 9,000 gemstones. It cost $3 million — so stunning," gushed Tookes backstage while she was having her hair done.
Tookes, 25, said the garment was constructed on a mould of her upper body, literally made to measure.
While the bra may be perfect for the runway presentation, Tookes joked she probably wouldn't want to go for a jog in it, given its weight.
"It's very heavy; it weighs more than 450 karats. It weighs down on my shoulders a little bit, but it's so worth it," she said, cheekily adding: "I might jog out of this show with it though."
EVEN VICTORIA'S SECRET MODELS GET NERVOUS
Brazilian beauty Lais Ribeiro physically jumped when a loudspeaker bellowed that there was just one hour until the start of the show.
"Butterflies just came stronger in my stomach. I'm getting very, very excited," Ribeiro, 26, told The Associated Press.
Ribeiro knows more than most about the hidden dangers in a show such as this, where models in towering heels can injure themselves. She hurt her foot as a Victoria's Secret Angel three years ago.
"What am I scared of? I twisted my ankle and kind of broke my foot in the rehearsal three years ago. So I'm always scared of the high heels (that might make) me miss this amazing show," she said.
CITY OF ANGELS
The Angels have been taking Paris — and their Instagram accounts — by storm since flying into the City of Light Sunday night.
Led by Alessandra Ambrosio, the troupe posed for photos outside the Eiffel Tower on Tuesday morning as gob-smacked tourists stopped to take in the incredible views, including the monument.
Josephine Skriver, Adriana Lima, Lily Donaldson, Elsa Hosk, Lily Aldridge and Jasmine Tookes wore assorted Angels T-shirts and skinny, figure-hugging black jeans.
But the fun continued online, with Lima posting a from-behind shot of her and Martha Hunt wearing thigh-high boots during the show's preparations.
Mere mortals may use a face mask ahead of a glamorous night out — but these are Angels, and the terrestrial rules don't apply.
Trending online were photos of some of the models using 24-karat gold sheet masks to prepare for the 2016 show.
