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The Fantasy Bra's History

As the much-anticipated Victoria's Secret Fashion Show sets to reveal the final supermodel casting on December 10, there is already a buzz in the lingerie world about this year’s Fantasy Bra.

Each year, the lingerie company chooses one lucky model to don the bejeweled bra and showcase it on the catwalk. This year, Victoria’s Secret Angel Candice Swanepoel will debut the "Royal Fantasy Bra and Belt” for the first time in her modeling career. Estimated at more than $10 million, the “Royal Fantasy Bra and Belt” features 18 karat gold, diamonds, more than 4,200 rubies and yellow and blue sapphires.

Once a catalog-only bra starting at $1 million in 1996, the Victoria’s Secret Fantasy Bra has kept consumers on the edge of their seats in anticipation of the bedazzled, multi-million dollar marvel, as each year becomes more embellished with precious jewels including rubies, sapphires and diamonds. 

The Fantasy Bra made its first catwalk appearance in 2001, when supermodel Heidi Klum unveiled the $12.5 million dollar “Heavenly Star Bra.” The most expensive Fantasy Bra ($15 million) was worn by Gisele Bündchen in 2000, and the youngest Angel, Karolina Kurkova, wore a $10 million brassiere in 2002 when she was just 18.

Take a look at the Victoria’s Secret Fantasy Bra history:

  • 1996: Claudia Schiffer wore the $1 million "Million Dollar Miracle Bra" - This bra featured over 100 karats in diamonds and other precious jewels.
  • 1997: Tyra Banks wore the $3 million "Diamond Dream Bra" - This bra included 93 pear cut gemstones and a 42 karat diamond at the bra's center.
  • 1998: Daniela Pestova wore the $5 million "Dream Angel Fantasy Bra"
  • 1999: Heidi Klum wore the $10 million "Millennium Bra"
  • 2000: Gisele Bündchen wore the $15 million "Red Hot Fantasy Bra"
  • 2001: Heidi Klum wore the $12.5 million "Heavenly Star Bra"
  • 2002: Karolina Kurkova wore the $10 million "Star of Victoria Fantasy Bra" - The bra highlighted 1,150 rubies and 1,600 emeralds.
  • 2003: Heidi Klum wore the $11 million "Very Sexy Fantasy Bra"
  • 2004: Tyra Banks wore the $10 million "Heavenly '70' Fantasy Bra" - The $10 million bra highlighted 2,900 diamonds set in white gold.
  • 2005: Gisele Bündchen wore the $12.5 million "Sexy Splendor Fantasy Bra”
  • 2006: Karolina Kurkova wore the $6.5 million"Hearts on Fire Diamond Fantasy Bra"
  • 2007: Selita Ebanks wore the $4.5 million "Holiday Fantasy Bra" - This bra featured 9,000 gems including rubies, emeralds and sapphires.
  • 2008 - Adriana Lima wore the $5 million "Black Diamond Fantasy Miracle Bra"
  • 2009 - Marisa Miller wore the $3 million "Harlequin Fantasy Bra"
  • 2010 - Adriana Lima wore the $2 million "Bombshell Fantasy Bra" - The bra included sapphires and oval-cut topazes.
  • 2011 - Miranda Kerr wore the $2.5 million "Treasure Fantasy Bra"
  • 2012 - Alessandra Ambrosio wore the $2.5 million "Floral Fantasy Bra"
  • 2013 - Candice Swanepoel wore the $10 million "Royal Fantasy Bra and Belt" 
The 2013 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show will air on December 10th at 10pm ET/PT on CBS.

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Jennifer Geisman is a freelance writer and faithful beauty junkie living in Los Angeles. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.

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