Paris changed everything. When the wings finally hit the Grand Palais, it felt like the pinnacle of an era. Honestly, the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2016 wasn't just another runway event; it was the moment the brand tried to prove it could still own the cultural conversation while the world around it was starting to shift. You’ve probably seen the clips of Lady Gaga walking between the models or the awkward run-in between Bella Hadid and The Weeknd. It was peak 2010s glamour, draped in Swarovski crystals and heavy-handed marketing.
But looking back, that Paris show was also the beginning of the end. It was the most expensive production the company had ever mounted. Millions were poured into the lighting, the logistics of moving the entire "Angel" fleet to France, and securing the biggest musical acts on the planet. For a brief hour on CBS, it worked. The ratings were there, the social media buzz was deafening, and the spectacle was undeniable.
The Logistics of Lighting Up the Grand Palais
The Grand Palais is an intimidating space. It’s huge. It’s glass. It’s historic. To pull off the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2016, the production team had to transform this Beaux-Arts landmark into a high-tech neon dream. They used over 60 models—the largest roster in the show's history at that point—and shipped in tons of equipment from the U.S. and across Europe.
Security was also at an all-time high. Remember, this was late 2016, and the atmosphere in Paris was still very tense following the previous year's attacks. The "Angels" weren't just flying in; they were being guarded by a massive security detail that rivaled a G7 summit.
Jasmine Tookes and the 3 Million Dollar Bra
The centerpiece of every show is the Fantasy Bra. In 2016, that honor went to Jasmine Tookes. It was a big deal. She was the first woman of color to wear the bra in nine years, following Selita Ebanks in 2007. Designed by Eddie Borgo, the "Bright Night Fantasy Bra" was encrusted with 9,000 precious gemstones. We’re talking diamonds and emeralds set in 18-karat gold.
It weighed more than some of the models’ actual outfits.
Tookes had to do specific back-strengthening exercises just to carry the weight of the bra without slouching. That's the part people don't see—the physical toll of wearing "jewelry" that costs more than a mansion in Beverly Hills. When she walked out during the "Bright Night" segment, the crowd actually gasped. It was a rare moment where the product lived up to the hype.
The Music: When the Runway Became a Concert
Lady Gaga didn't just perform; she became an honorary Angel. Sort of. She wore her own set of wings during the "Mountain Romance" segment, and unlike most performers who just stand on the side, she moved with the models. She performed a medley from Joanne, including "A-Yo" and "John Wayne," before slowing it down for "Million Reasons."
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Then you had Bruno Mars and The Weeknd.
The Weeknd’s performance is the stuff of meme legend now. He was singing "Starboy" while his ex-girlfriend, Bella Hadid, made her debut on the VS runway. The internet went into a literal meltdown. Bella’s "look" at him—a mix of "I'm doing great" and "don't look at me"—is still used in breakup TikToks today. It was the kind of organic drama that Victoria’s Secret used to be so good at manufacturing, or at least, capitalizing on.
The Six Segments of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2016
The show wasn't just a random parade. It was divided into six thematic "sections," each with its own vibe and soundtrack.
The Road Ahead was the opener. It was a bizarre but colorful mix of multicultural influences. Think Chinese dragons, Peruvian-inspired embroidery, and a whole lot of fringe. Elsa Hosk opened the entire show wearing a massive dragon wrapped around her body. It was bold, but it also invited some of the first real "cultural appropriation" critiques that would later haunt the brand.
Mountain Romance followed. This was the "soft" segment. Floral wings, Lady Gaga in a black lace gown, and a lot of Alpine-inspired lingerie. It felt very "Sound of Music" but if Maria lived in Soho.
Pink Nation was the segment for the younger crowd. This is where the "Pink" brand took over, featuring street-style influenced gear and a performance by Bruno Mars. Grace Elizabeth made a huge impression here as the new face of Pink.
Secret Angel took things back to a noir, cinematic feel. It was inspired by 1920s cabaret and Bond films. Lots of lace, trench coats, and dark silks. This was the segment where the "The Weeknd vs. Bella Hadid" drama went down.
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Dark Angel was the goth-glam portion. Huge black feathered wings and Victorian-inspired corsets. It was moody and expensive-looking.
Bright Night was the finale. This was all about the sparkle. Jasmine Tookes closed it out in the Fantasy Bra, surrounded by models in Swarovski-encrusted outfits that literally blinded the cameras.
Behind the Scenes: The "Angel" Training
People think these women just roll out of bed and walk. Honestly, the prep for the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2016 was more like training for a marathon. Adriana Lima, who was the reigning queen of the runway at the time, was known for her intense boxing workouts.
The "VS Fashion Show Diet" is something that has (rightfully) come under fire recently for being unsustainable. But in 2016, the focus was on "lean muscle." Many of the models worked with trainers like Justin Gelband or did the "ModelFit" method. It was a grueling schedule of two-a-day workouts leading up to the flight to Paris.
But it wasn't just physical. The spray tans were a military operation. There was a dedicated team whose only job was to make sure 60 different women had the exact same shade of "sun-kissed" bronze. They used gallons of product. The "signature" VS hair—those loose, beachy waves—took about two hours per model to achieve using extensions and multiple barrel irons.
The Turning Point: Why 2016 Was Different
In hindsight, 2016 was the last time the show felt like a universal pop-culture event. The ratings were still high—around 6.7 million viewers—but that was actually a drop from previous years. People were starting to notice that the "perfection" on stage didn't match the reality of their lives.
Competitors like Savage X Fenty were just around the corner. Aerie was already gaining ground by promising no retouching on their photos. While Victoria’s Secret was doubling down on $3 million bras and private jets to Paris, the market was moving toward inclusivity.
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But for that one night in the Grand Palais, none of that seemed to matter. It was a fever dream of feathers and glitter.
What You Can Learn from the 2016 Era
If you're looking back at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2016 for style inspiration or just nostalgia, there are a few takeaways that actually apply to fashion today:
- The Power of Statement Outerwear: The "Road Ahead" segment proved that a massive, intricate jacket or "wing" piece can completely carry a simple base layer.
- Monochromatic Glamour: The "Dark Angel" segment showed how mixing textures (lace, leather, feathers) in a single color—black—creates more depth than a rainbow of colors ever could.
- The "Glow" is Skincare: While they used tons of makeup, the 2016 look was the start of the "highlighter" craze. Focus on hydration and strategic shimmer on the collarbones and cheekbones for that "runway" pop.
The Legacy of the Paris Runway
The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2016 remains a time capsule. It represents the absolute limit of what a "spectacle" brand could do before the internet demanded more substance. It was the year of the Hadid sisters, the year of Lady Gaga's high-fashion pivot, and the year that the "Angel" wings were at their heaviest.
To really understand how the brand moved from this peak to its eventual hiatus and "rebrand," you have to look at the sheer excess of Paris. It was beautiful, sure. But it was also the end of a very specific kind of fantasy.
If you're building a collection or planning an event, look at the 2016 show as a masterclass in production. Every light, every camera angle, and every musical cue was synchronized. It’s a lesson in how to build a world—even if that world only exists for 45 minutes on a Tuesday night in December.
Next Steps for Fashion Enthusiasts:
- Watch the "Million Reasons" Segment: Observe how the lighting transitions from cool to warm tones to match the emotional arc of the song; it's a brilliant example of stage direction.
- Compare the 2016 Roster to Modern Shows: Look at the diversity in 2016 versus the 2024 "World Tour" or recent reboots to see exactly how much the industry's standards have shifted.
- Analyze the "Road Ahead" Costumes: Research the specific artisans who created the wings; many were made by small ateliers in New York and Paris that still produce high-end couture pieces today.