From 1995 to 2018, every Victoria’s Secret fashion show has been a spectacular regalia that has bred a league of supermodels. And while walking the ramp for this lingerie behemoth is itself a massive thing, there was a mad race among supermodels to wear an expensive Victoria’s Secret Fantasy Bra, which would be reserved for the crème de la crème of the VS crowd.
But what are Fantasy Bras, and why are they so special? Well, that’s a million-dollar bejewelled dream! Quite literally! Right after its inception, Victoria’s Secret upped its lingerie game and introduced expensive bras studded with diamonds, sapphires, pearls and other precious gemstones. Costing over a million dollars and boasting exquisite craftsmanship, a Victoria’s Secret Fantasy Bra is not only a coveted runway costume but also a status symbol.
Naturally, supermodels like Heidi Klum, Gisele Bundchen, Alessandra Ambrosio, Tyra Banks and Miranda Kerr, Karolina Kurkova, Lily Aldridge and Marisa Miller have worn Fantasy Bras on multiple Victoria’s Secret fashion shows. In fact, the first of the line — the Million Dollar Miracle Bra — was worn by Claudia Schiffer in 1996. Valued at USD 1 million (INR 8.3 crore), it carried 100 carats of diamonds and was only shown in advertisem*nts. Interestingly, despite its hefty price tag, it remains one of the cheapest Fantasy Bras. Though Schiffer did not wear it on the runway, WWD states that Banks modelled it at the 1999 show.
You could only imagine how fast the concept snowballed that in 1998 — Daniela Pestova wore the Dream Angel Fantasy Bra worth USD 5 million (INR 41.7 crore). Its stunning display of rubies and diamonds made this costume one of the best among the early Victoria’s Secret models.
Mostly tagged at USD 2 million (INR 16.6 crore) and up, these bras elevated the lingerie segment, giving it a luxe tag, akin to a dazzling piece of high jewellery.
As the Victoria’s Secret fashion show gears up for a revival in 2024, this is a throwback to some of the most expensive and exquisite Fantasy Bras created.
Here are some of the most expensive Victoria’s Secret Fantasy Bras that redefined luxury lingerie
Dream Angels Fantasy Bras
Year: 2014
Worn by: Adriana Lima and Alessandra Ambrosio
Value: USD 2 million each (INR 16.68 crore)
In most cases, a supermodel is sent solo down the runway when she dons an expensive Fantasy Bra. But the 2014 Victoria’s Secret fashion show spelt grandeur in bold and caps when two models showcasing different Fantasy Bras hit the runway at the same time. Adriana Lima and Alessandra Ambrosio appeared ephemeral in Mouawad diamond-drenched suits and body chains accompanied by matching capes.
While Lima glittered in blue, Ambrosio shone in a red iteration. Each set was meticulously perfected over 1,380 hours, carrying 16,000 precious and semi-precious gems such as sapphires, rubies, diamonds, quartz, topaz, amethyst and garnets.
Fantasy Treasure Bra
Year: 2011
Worn by: Miranda Kerr
Value: USD 2.5 million (INR 20.85 crore)
Looking like a mermaid of royalty, Miranda Kerr wore the stunning Fantasy Treasure Bra at the 2011 Victoria’s Secret fashion show. As she walked with a sea shell halo of her angel wings, the blue-and-white bra created waves on the runway.
The London Jewelers creation is encrusted with yellow and colourless diamonds weighing almost 142 carats, as well as citrines and aquamarines. While a bevvy of pearls finishes the top, pearl strands and a decadent pearl tassel complete the ensemble.
Holiday Fantasy Bra
Year: 2007
Worn by: Selita Ebanks
Value: USD 4.5 million (INR 37.5 crore)
With this Fantasy Bra set, jeweller Pascal Mouawad wrote an entire saga in precious rocks to evoke the jolly holiday spirit. A barrette, a bra, a thong, a garter and a cuff bracelet adorned in a white, red and green colourway make this Christmas costume as glistening as the winter snow.
It follows a holly and poinsettia theme with 584.76 carats of diamonds, 797.40 carats of emeralds, 276.93 carats of rubies and 3.42 carats of yellow sapphires. Together, the undergarment set totals to 1,662.51 carats. A Christmas tree cape made for the perfect background, as Ebanks walked at Victoria’s Secret fashion show.
Black Diamond Fantasy Miracle Bra
Year: 2008
Worn by: Adriana Lima
Value: USD 5 million (INR 41.7 crore)
Pushing the boundaries of intimate fashion and fusing high jewellery with lingerie making, this expensive Fantasy Bra is a work of sensuous art. The black top is studded with nearly 3,900 stunning gems, including black and white diamonds with rubies interspersed in between them. In all, it weighs 1,500 carats.
Hearts on Fire Diamond Fantasy Bra
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Year: 2006
Worn by: Karolina Kurkova
Value: USD 6.5 million (INR 54.2 crore)
The Hearts on Fire Diamond Fantasy Bra will blind you with its shimmer and glow. A brainchild of American jeweller Hearts on Fire, this multimillion-dollar undergarment’s highlight is a 10-carat diamond brooch with a Victorian floral motif, signifying the VS romance, glamour and sophistication.
It is a part of the Victoria’s Secret Christmas Dreams and Fantasies catalogue and comprises 2,000 brilliantly sparkly diamonds. It took 20,000 hours of hard labour to cut and polish the rocks and over 300 hours to design the costume.
Star of Victoria Fantasy Bra
Year: 2002
Worn by: Karolina Kurkova
Value: USD 10 million (INR 83.4 crore)
Kurkova seemed like a rare million-dollar rose in a curated garden in this precious Mouawad bra as she walked down the runway in 2002. Intricate floral designs crafted from 18-carat gold decorate this expensive Fantasy Bra embellished with 1,150 lustrous rubies weighing 150 carats and 1,600 shimmering emeralds weighing 110 carats. Tying both cups is a 60.19-carat D-internally flawless pear-shaped Mouawad Mondera Diamond at the centre. Together, the bra weighs a whopping 320 carats.
That’s not all. A matching bottom underwear, bejewelled with 2,420 rubies, emeralds and diamonds, weighing 168 carats in total, rounds Kurkova’s entire look.
Heavenly 70 Fantasy Bra
Year: 2004
Worn by: Tyra Banks
Value: USD 10 million (INR 83.4 crore)
A literal embodiment of a bejewelled dream, the Heavenly 70 Fantasy Bra is the result of 275 hours of hard work. Set in 18-carat gold are 2,900 pavé-set diamonds, totalling 112 carats, with a 70-carat pear-shaped flawless rock glistening with godly sheen at the heart.
Interestingly, this opulent creation never saw the light of the runway as Tyra Banks travelled across the US for the Victoria’s Secret “Angels Across America” tour.
Royal Fantasy Bra
Year: 2013
Worn by: Candice Swanepoel
Value: USD 10 million (INR 83.4)
This Mouawad brainchild was nicknamed the Royal Fantasy bra and Swanepoel exuded regal charm as she walked the runway.
The bra and its matching belt showcased over 5,400 precious gems weighing over 1,540 carats. These include diamonds of 234.04 carats, rubies of 471.22 carats and yellow and blue sapphires weighing 717.89 and 116.86 carats, respectively. These precious rocks are carefully handset in 18-carat yellow gold, while a gleaming 52-carat, pear-shaped ruby hangs from a centre bow detailing.
Very Sexy Fantasy bra
Year: 2003
Worn by: Heidi Klum
Value: USD 11 million (INR 91.7 crore)
The 2003 Pascal Mouawad creation is a fine example of high jewellery-meets-couture-lingerie-fashion. It features 2,809 exquisitely cut white diamonds, yellow-orange sapphires, rhodolites and amethysts that take the bra’s weight to 2,200 carats. To further heighten its aura, a massive 70-carat Excelsior diamond also dangles from the centre.
An equally blingy bottom underwear, set with 3,236 diamonds and coloured stones weighing 200 carats, matches this delicate top that took nearly 370 hours to create. The Very Sexy Fantasy Bra was unveiled at the 2003 Victoria’s Secret fashion show in New York City. Besides being a magnificent piece, it is also special for being Klum’s final Fantasy Bra.
Heavenly Star Bra
Year: 2001
Worn by: Heidi Klum
Value: USD 12.5 million (INR 104.2 crore)
In 1999, Heidi Klum wore her first Victoria’s Secret Fantasy Bra — the Millennium Bra — worth USD 10 million. Inspired by a starry night sky, the delicate piece has 2,000 diamonds and sapphires set in platinum.
However, it is Klum’s second Fantasy Bra which caught turned heads worldwide. The Heavenly Star Bra was the sixth Fantasy Lingerie for the VS banner but the first Fantasy Bra featured on television as part of Victoria’s Secret fashion show. The glimmer of 1,200 Sri Lankan pink sapphires and a 90-carat emerald-cut centrepiece diamond impart a soft yet sparkling hue to the lingerie set.
Sexy Splendor Fantasy Bra
Year: 2005
Worn by: Gisele Bündchen
Value: USD 12.5 million (INR 104.2 crore)
Another stunning number worn by Bündchen, this Victoria’s Secret Fantasy Bra perfectly embodies the Christmas spirit. Featuring a floral, geometric pattern, it is adorned with 2,900 pavé diamonds and 22 rubies set in 18-carat white gold. A dangling diamond, weighing 101-carat, comes with a matching belt to complete the costume.
She customised the look with a red and white fur top and bottoms to highlight the diamond lingerie.
The Red Hot Fantasy Bra
Year: 2000
Worn by: Gisele Bündchen
Value: USD 15 million (INR 125.1 crore)
The most expensive Fantasy Bra to date, the Red Hot Fantasy Bra lives up to its name in every sense. It is encrusted with 1,300-carat diamond and Thai rubies. The bra, and the matching panties, earned a spot on the Guinness Book of World Records for the most expensive set of lingerie ever made. Bündchen wore it shortly after she signed a multi-year contract with the brand.
Honorary mentions
Indeed, every Fantasy Bra is a visual dream and deserves special praise. Here are some other noteworthy Fantasy Bras that, though not as expensive as those on the above list, exude brilliant craftsmanship and radiance.
Champagne Nights Fantasy Bra worn by Lais Ribeiro in 2017, Bombshell Fantasy Bra worn by Adriana Lima in 2010 and Fireworks Fantasy Bra worn by Lily Aldridge in 2015 are all worth USD 2 million (INR 16.6 crore).
Marisa Miller wore the Harlequin Fantasy Bra in 2009, Jasmine Tookes donned the Bright Night Fantasy Bra in 2015 and Tyra Banks flaunted the Diamond Dream Bra in 1997, They are all tagged at USD 3 million (INR 25 crore), proving the high fashion which the brand stands for.
(Hero image credit: Martin Katz; Mouawad; Timothy A. Clary/AFP; Feature image credit: Timothy A. Clary/AFP)
