Kylie Jenner made her Victoria’s Secret runway debut in Los Angeles, wearing a diamond-encrusted Fantasy Bra valued at Sh6.4 billion ($50 million), perhaps the most expensive in the brand’s history.
The reality TV star and Kylie Cosmetics founder walked the runway in the jewelled bra, oversized white feathered wings, a sheer miniskirt and clear heels.
Her mother, Kris Jenner, and boyfriend, actor Timothée Chalamet, watched from the front row.
Jenner’s appearance was a surprise, as she had never walked in a Victoria’s Secret fashion show before.
It also marked the return of the Fantasy Bra to the runway for the first time since 2018, when model Elsa Hosk wore a version valued at $1 million (about Sh129 million).
The Fantasy Bra is one of Victoria’s Secret’s most recognisable traditions. Each version is a one-of-a-kind creation featuring precious gemstones and elaborate craftsmanship, traditionally worn by one of the brand’s leading models during its annual fashion show.
According to CNN, the tradition began in 1996. Models including Heidi Klum, Gisele Bündchen and Candice Swanepoel have worn different versions over the years. In 2000, Bündchen wore the Red Hot Fantasy Bra, valued at $15 million, which held the record until Jenner’s appearance.
This year’s bra was created in collaboration with luxury jewellery brand Jacob & Co.
It features 4,410 natural diamonds in seven cuts, weighing a combined 1,373.39 carats. At its centre is a 75.54-carat Fancy Vivid yellow diamond, reportedly valued at about $22 million.
Rather than being built on conventional fabric, the piece consists of 3,218 individually cast 18-karat white-gold components designed to move with the body.
Fifteen artisans spent more than 1,000 hours making it. Despite its elaborate construction, it weighs just under four pounds.
The design was paired with oversized wings and a sheer miniskirt, combining the brand’s signature Angel aesthetic with the diamonds as the centrepiece.
Victoria’s Secret chief creative officer Adam Selman described Jenner as a “cultural powerhouse”, pointing to her influence beyond fashion, television and social media.
Her selection, however, sparked debate among fans, with some arguing that the coveted piece should have gone to a longtime Victoria’s Secret model or former Angel.
Others welcomed the decision to feature a celebrity with a global following and significant influence in beauty and lifestyle trends.
The return of the Fantasy Bra comes as Victoria’s Secret seeks to reconnect with its audience and restore some of the spectacle associated with its famous runway shows.