Lingerie

Axelle Woussen/Bauer Griffin

For one week a year, Victoria’s Secret Angel Alessandra Ambrosio, 28, says things get so crazy and hectic, “I just have to find power from somewhere else to keep going!” she laughs. That week, of course, is leading up to the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, which took place in N.Y.C. on Nov 19 and will air on CBS at 10pm on Dec. 1. Here’s how the Angel, and mom of 1-year-old Anja (who stayed at home in Brazil with Grandma) made it through.

Saturday, Nov. 14: Fly in from Brazil for my fitting. It’s a big deal to do the fitting. They had all the cameras there. Glad I rested up in Brazil. Now the craziness begins!

Monday, Nov. 16: Shooting a VS campaign today while I’m here. This whole time I am trying to find time to work out because we’re shooting ALL day. At 7, my trainer comes over and we work out for an hour. It’s mostly butt and abs and arms. Last year I had to lose 40 lbs. after having my daughter. This year I am 2 lbs less than usual so I am not freaking out…Still, one week before the show is when I get worried!

Tuesday, Nov. 17: Lots of filming today! I had to do my second fitting and I had to do a biography with VS , which we filmed all over New York. It took so long, I didn’t get to work out!

Wednesday, Nov. 18: In Times Square to promote the show, then we have to go and rehearse. The rehearsal will finish so late, and I really want to work out the night before the show, so I might not be able to get a massage, like I wanted.

Thursday, Nov. 19, 8 am: The show is today! Running late to hair and makeup. Oops. I’m opening the show, so obviously I’m more nervous than anyone else. It’s a big responsibility. I can’t even eat breakfast. Just coffee.
11 am: So many interviews!
4 pm: We tape two shows, so the first one starts now. Walking down the runway, I went on autopilot and blacked out. I don’t even remember what I did. I was just trying to be sexy and fun.
5 pm: Break between shows. I’m hungry! I’m going straight for the catering table.
8 pm: Second show. I didn’t fall in the first one, so I’m not so nervous now. Even if I trip they have one good take! The Black Eyed Peas sing while I’m wearing this bright neon outfit. And the wings are on the arms, so it doesn’t even hide anything!
10 pm: Done for the day! I got a Valentino Couture dress to wear and amazing diamonds from Ivanka Trump. Heading over to the afterparty at M2 in NYC.
1 am: Now I’m really hungry! Grabbing cheeseburgers at Cafeteria with my friends.

–reported by Charlotte Triggs

Richie Buxo/Splash News Online

Heidi Klum didn’t plan on walking the runway of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show last night, but let’s just say she’s a little bit impulsive. “I felt great the night of the fashion show and decided last minute to walk,” the supermodel, 36, who welcomed daughter Lou, with husband Seal, last month, tells PEOPLE exclusively. Klum, who had already been fitted for her dress, opened the Enchanted Forest-themed part of the show, wearing a vine-strewn corset and a full white skirt. “I loved my outfit,” she says, “so I thought, why not?” Her surprise appearance, known only to Victoria’s Secret insiders, drew screams and applause from a shocked audience during the live show Thursday night. Though Klum, who was expected only to host the festivities, said that while her new job behind the scenes meant there was “definitely less pressure,” walking in the show was a thrill for her. “I’m proud of being the curvy model on the Victoria’s Secret stage,” she says, adding that she enjoyed the show herself. “The Black Eyed Peas and all of the looks for the show were fantastic!” You can watch Heidi — and all the Angels — hit the runway when the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show airs on CBS at 10pm EST on Dec. 1.–Charlotte Triggs

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Well, her boyfriend Russell Brand loved them. Now, lusty fans can have some too. Katy Perry’s soccer-themed lingerie, that is! Brand’s favorite soccer club, West Ham United, provided three shirts for 25-year-old Perry’s stylists to fashion into skimpy stagewear for her turn hosting the MTV Europe Music Awards earlier this month. And after the pictures raised eyebrows for her boyfriend, as well as admirers around the world, the club in East London has decided to make a limited number themselves. Initially, 50 sets priced at around $480 each will be made on a pre-order basis only. (If placed before November 20, they will be ready for Christmas and they are ordered before the end of next month, they will be perfectly timed for a Valentine’s Day surprise, the club says.) Perry’s get-up was the brainchild of freelance celebrity stylist and costume designer Siobhan Dillon. She told the West Ham United website Wednesday, “I thought it would be cool to try and make the shirt as football-oriented as possible. “So, I used the collars along the top of the brassiere and used the two badges on the front. I had a team of three girls working with me on the outfit. It was made entirely from the three shirts, but we had to take the Airtex out and replace it with some lining.” Contact West Ham United for your own set here. — Simon Perry

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It’s official: Heidi Klum is returning to the runway just 6 weeks after giving birth to baby Lou Samuel — as host of the annual Victoria’s Secret fashion show on Nov. 19. “Heidi is superwoman. She had a baby a few weeks ago and she is hosting the most high profile fashion show in the world,” Ed Razek, President and Chief Marketing Officer of VS tells PEOPLE exclusively. “Victoria’s Secret is thrilled to have her back. There is no one like her.” Klum played coy about preparing for the show, which airs Dec. 1 at 10pm on CBS, saying she planned “to take it easy and see what happens,” after delivering Lou, her daughter with Seal — and her fourth child — last month. Still, her fellow Angels aren’t surprised to see Heidi back to work. “She can do it all,” says fellow Angel (and new mom) Alessandra Ambrosio. “She’s a great mom and she’s got so much going on. She’s an inspiration.” We can’t wait to see Heidi and all of the Angels, including Marisa Miller in this year’s diamond bra, work the runway. –Charlotte Triggs

Courtesy Victoria’s Secret

New year, stunning new model! Victoria’s Secret has announced that supermodel and Angel Marisa Miller will follow in Gisele Bundchen’s sexy stilettos as the crown jewel of the next Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show wearing a $3 million diamond-studded bra created by Damiani — and she’s talking exclusively with PEOPLE about her dazzling new role. “It is an enormous honor to wear the Fantasy bra,” says Marisa. “It’s one of the main features in the Fashion Show every year and I’m so excited to walk the runway in it.” And while last year’s model mixed over 2,900 diamonds and 22 rubies in a floral pattern, this year it’s all about a girl’s best friend. Miller says, “The diamonds are in a harlequin pattern and contain white, champagne and cognac colored diamonds. There is also a 16-carat heart shaped champagne diamond pendant dangling in the middle.” And the supermodel continues, this is one case of not having to suffer for beauty. “It is surprisingly comfortable,” she says, “because the Damiani diamonds are embroidered onto the VS Very Sexy Convertible bra — which is actually one of my favorites.” Set your DVR to CBS on Tuesday December 1st at 10:00 PM ET/PT to catch Marisa and the full lineup of models, including Alessandra Ambrosio, Miranda Kerr and Doutzen Kroes, plus a performance by the Black Eyed Peas.

Chris Weeks/WireImage

Ashlee Simpson-Wentz has never looked sexier, and at the Paris in L.A. party in honor of lingerie designer Carol Malony, the new mom showed off her enviable body-after-baby figure in — what else? — lingerie. “There is nothing like a great set of lingerie,” Ashlee said, showing off a bra by the designer, paired with high-waisted Catherine Malandrino shorts, a tuxedo blazer and Jimmy Choo platforms. “Carol is really detailed and intricate. I love that about her lingerie.” Ashlee told PEOPLE. Among her favorite pieces? The “Fairy Tulle” bra set that she just so happened to be wearing to the West Hollywood party. “The underwear that go with it are amazing as well — [but] only my husband can see. It’s nice for me, mostly, to feel comfortable and sexy,” she continued. And that, Carol Malony says is the philosophy behind her designs. “It’s all about making you feel terrific.” – reporting by Scott Huver

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With successful lines encompassing everything from frocks to luggage, bikinis and fragrances under her stylish belt, Jessica Simpson might just be the reigning queen of celebrity merchandising. And as we announced earlier this summer, the curvy star will be adding lingerie to her style empire — and she’s talking with WWD.com about the new collection, which has just launched for the trade industry at the Vandale showrooms in Manhattan. “My intimates are feminine and sweet with a hint of fun,” she tells the paper. And her jump to lingerie was born out of a genuine passion for the stuff, “I love lingerie. What girl doesn’t?” she asks rhetorically. “My lingerie reflects the way I’m feeling when I wake up and helps me set the tone for my day.” As any buxom woman knows, however, finding gorgeous designs to set that tone can be tricky. “It is important to me personally…to be able to wear my own line,” she says. “Vandale is developing a great collection of feminine, sexy, regular and full-figured bras which are going to be amazing. We are also working on a sleepwear collection that I know I will live in. We have focused on using really soft fabrics that feel good against your skin. The whole line centers around great basics for every day that are comfortable and fit your body. We spent a lot of time on the details. I really wanted to make this line special.” Her favorite creations? “I love the seersucker group because it is just classic and so adorable. We also have a beautiful print group that was inspired by Morocco. It is both exotic and feminine at the same time. We also created a denim and floral set that is flirty and fun,” she says. Tell us: Will you wear Jessica’s lingerie?