Victoria's Secret Angels admit London is still fashion heaven as we ventured backstage before the show

The Standard caught up with the models before they stepped out onto the runway
David Churchill13 November 2015

They were on the catwalk in New York, but that didn’t stop the top models at the Victoria’s Secret show praising London’s influence on international fashion.

The capital hosted last year’s extravaganza for the lingerie label and British-born “angel” Stella Maxwell said: “In London the [fashion] industry is so huge, I think it is really respected because there are so many amazing designers that have built a legacy, like Burberry and Christopher Kane and really huge names that are based in London.”

Maxwell, 24, was speaking after the Standard was granted a backstage pass to the £7 million show.

It also featured fellow Brits Lily Donaldson and Leomie Anderson as well as singer Ellie Goulding - a last-minute replacement after Rihanna cancelled.

Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2015

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Donaldson, 28, grew up in north London and was scouted as a teenager while shopping in Camden Market - a far cry from the world of jewel-encrusted underwear and extravagant angel wings at the 69th Regiment Armory in New York.

Fellow Victoria’s Secret Angel Behati Prinsloo, 26, moved to London as a teenager, on her journey from a small town in Namibia in south-west Africa, where her father is a pastor, to international catwalk fame.

Behati, who is married to Maroon 5 lead singer Adam Levine, said: “London had a huge impact on my life as a young girl and coming from a small town. I learned a lot about punk rock and I loved going to Old Street and all the markets and seeing the punks.

“It did a lot for a teenager, it was very colourful for me.”

Lily Aldridge, 29, who considers herself English like her artist father Alan despite being born in California, said she comes to London twice a year.

The model’s husband, Kings of Leon frontman Caleb Followill, was at the show.

She said: “It means everything to have his support, but it also makes me a little nervous because I want to look good for him. He’s so supportive, he sends flowers, and loads of encouragement. He always makes me feel good.”

The show will be broadcast for UK audiences on December 9 on 4Music.

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