FASHION

Oscar undercover

Victoria's Secret takes a peek at what goes on under those gowns.

November 17, 2006, By Elizabeth Snead, The Envelope

Far more interesting than what gowns will be worn to the Oscars is what will be worn underneath.

That's why we're taking a good hard (sorry) look at the lingerie shown at the Victoria's Secret Goes to Hollywood fashion show held last night at – irony alert - the Kodak Theatre, the site of the Academy Awards on February 25, 2007.

Actually, this hook (okay, lame excuse) is what I told The Envelope honchos when they asked why we should run a photo gallery of scantily clad beauties like Giselle Bundchen and Karolina Kurkova on an awards site.

So, the following is a brief overview of important lingerie trends seen in the show, which also featured Justin Timberlake singing his never-more-appropriate hit, "Sexy Back." But remember these trend tips are just a ploy to post a gallery of gorgeous gals. So feel free to skip the trend bulls**t and go straight to the photos. Go on. You know you want to.

Here goes:

The strongest theme in the VS fashion parade was the Royal Touch, a nod to two Oscar-contender films: "Marie Antoinette" and, believe it or not, "The Queen."

The distinctly decadent 18th century French courtesan look included period bustles, empire waists, corsets and hoop skirts as well as bits of saucy French lace, ribbons and bows. Marie would totally have worn this stuff to tempt her disinterested King Louis XVI.

But it was the show's Balmoral-born tweedy Tudor touches that were the most amusing: Highland hunting vests, cropped hacking jackets, saucy short kilts, Scotch plaid knickers, bras and thongs. Pheasant feathers were fashioned into angel wings worn by several game models with admirable grace. Say what you will about the IQ of these models. It's no mean feat to look sexy while walking practically naked in high heels with giant feathered wings strapped to one's back.

One model wisely carried a walking stick, much like one Queen Elizabeth would take on her morning constitutional or an all-day stalking excursion. And yes, there was a bag pipe player on stage. Like you had to ask.

VS also paid homage to just about every assorted and sundry male fashion fantasy: the naughty stewardess, the naughty cheerleader, the naughty graduate and the naughty Vegas showgirl. There was even a lingerie fantasy for fast food lovers. One model wore a bra that looked like an overfilled box of popcorn. One wonders if it comes with or without butter.

However, there was one Hollywood fantasy the VS design team totally overlooked: the naughty Oscar-winning actress.

Maybe next year.