[Chapter 669: Witnessing the Glamour]
The deafening surround sound resonated throughout the backstage of the Armory. The invigorating punk-rock music stirred excitement while creating a palpable tension among the Victoria's Secret Angels waiting to perform. Completing the show successfully would open a new chapter in their careers; however, any slip-up could lead to a devastating blow to their futures.
Diane Kruger, one of the opening Angels, felt a slight tingle in her limbs. She pressed her rosy lips together and quickly made the sign of the cross, then took a deep breath, trying her best to relax.
"Everyone, go!"
At the command from the executive director through her earpiece, a staff member gently pushed Diane towards the exit while quickly shifting focus to the next Angel.
After a long period of rigorous rehearsals, Diane, feeling slightly dizzy, instinctively walked towards the runway. Her face, adorned with flawless makeup, beamed a charming smile she had practiced countless times before. Amplified by the electrifying atmosphere, the crowd erupted into applause and cheers at her appearance, almost without any signal.
Pausing briefly at the entrance, Diane strode confidently onto the shimmering silver catwalk, a result of the grueling training Eric had put her through, showcasing her strong personal style.
...
Among the five ambassadors revealed by Victoria's Secret, Diane was the least well-known, or rather, had been entirely unknown until now. Thus, since the announcement of the list, the industry had remained intensely curious about this petite, fresh-faced girl barely eighteen years old.
Everyone was certain that this suddenly rising star had some kind of connection with Eric, but many were still surprised he would let this unknown girl open the show. Most believed that the opening would only feature supermodels like Christy Turlington, Linda Evangelista, or Cindy Crawford.
When they saw Diane as the first to appear on stage, many harbored the thought that this was going a bit too far.
Some invited media representatives had already begun to brainstorm clever ways to subtly mock this decision when Diane's distinctly personal stride on the runway caught the attention of many, leaving them in awe. Her walk exuded confidence with a hint of elegance, radiating an unforgettable charm that seemed almost unbelievable. Only those in the fashion world knew how rare it was to find a model with such a unique stride, much like Naomi Campbell -- if it weren't for her iconic runway presence that captivated so many designers, her famously difficult personality might have led her to be blacklisted in the fashion industry long ago.
Many fashion moguls in attendance privately questioned why a girl with such an extraordinary walk hadn't made her mark on the runway before. There shouldn't be any reason for her to have been discovered only now by Eric Williams. Despite their confusion, several had already begun to consider extending an invitation to collaborate with Diane.
While some focused on Diane's stunning runway walk, many others noted her angelic outfit -- a military-style red jacket, black wings, white gloves, and a simple, stylish inner outfit -- that made her appear both sexy and playful. Particularly, her playful salute at the end of the runway elicited cheers from the audience once again.
Naturally, there were those who appreciated and cheered, while others expressed disdain. Anna Wintour, editor of Vogue, sat in the front row and overheard a woman behind her comment somewhat sharply, "So this is the angel outfit Eric Williams has been hyping for months? Does he really think that just because she has wings, she's an angel?"
Anna recalled that the voice belonged to the editor of Metropolitan magazine, and merely smiled coldly at the woman's frivolous critique.
The fundamental purpose of any fashion show was to create buzz.
Most high-street fashion shows appeared enigmatic to the average viewer, yet their target audience never included everyday people; instead, they catered to fashion media, retail buyers, and others in the know. Even the numerous celebrities present merely played along, usually without any understanding of what they were witnessing. The exaggerated styles on display were simply the brand's design concepts for the upcoming season.
Accustomed to high-street fashion shows, Anna felt a momentary disorientation when she first saw Diane's angel outfit -- it seemed too down-to-earth.
However, Anna quickly realized that this Victoria's Secret Show was genuinely aimed at the regular television audience. If Eric Williams dared to design outrageous and impractical outfits for the Angels like traditional fashion shows, it would certainly invite a barrage of criticism from average viewers once aired. The current presentation that perfectly showcased the Angels' sexy figures while remaining visually pleasing was the most relatable style.
...
As most attention remained fixated on the stunning angel costumes and enticing figures of the Angels, Jann Wenner, the founder of Rolling Stone magazine, sat beside Anna Wintour, captivated by the punk rockers on stage.
The raucous punk-rock tune My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark sent Jann Wenner's long-dormant passion for music surging back to life. It reminded him of many years prior when his fervent admiration for the world-famous Beatles led him and a group of friends to establish what would become the iconic Rolling Stone magazine in a decrepit printing press's attic. Over twenty years had passed, and Rolling Stone was no longer the small fan publication it once was -- it had evolved into a comprehensive media outlet covering music, film, and television, while Jann had transformed from a passionate youth into a wealthy publisher.
When Cindy Crawford walked backstage and the music finally faded, Jann found himself standing, lost in the moment. He glanced around, feeling embarrassed as he realized he wasn't the only one on his feet -- many others had also risen, clapping enthusiastically.
...
After the first theme ended, the arch at the exit dimmed, and several shadows began nervously arranging various props while soothing ambiance music filled the venue.
Despite where their attention lay during the show, everyone in the room shared a strong anticipation for the next theme.
Amidst this expectancy, the following two themes, 'Dark Temptress' and 'Pink Lady,' provided an abundance of visual and auditory feasts for the audience. Compared to high-street fashion shows that merely showcased style, most found this to be the real deal.
At the same time, many noticed that three songs featuring distinctly different styles launched consecutively across the three themes. The first punk-rock piece evoked excited screams from the young women in attendance, while the later track, stronger in its message, perfectly complemented the punk sound. The first song depicted a bold girl fiercely criticizing her unfaithful boyfriend, while the second encompassed the same girl declaring that a breakup only made her stronger.
After these two themes, Anna Wintour couldn't help but comment to Jann Wenner beside her, "If it weren't for all the tabloid news about Eric Williams, you might even say he's a feminist."
Jann only smiled slightly. Even though the subsequent two songs remained impressive, he still found himself looking forward to that rock band gracing the stage once more.
As if summoned, the rock band reappeared, and as the powerful intro to 'The Phoenix' began, some in the audience familiar with symphonic music couldn't help but be astounded.
They recognized that this rock accompaniment incorporated rhythms from the famous Soviet composer Dmitri Shostakovich's Seventh Symphony; it was also known as the Leningrad Symphony, composed during the harrowing Siege of Leningrad in World War II -- it was a true war symphony.
Music knows no borders, especially now that the once-mighty Soviet Union had vanished. Hence, nobody paid mind as Eric used the Leningrad Symphony for the show's music; on the contrary, the audience became increasingly fervent in the monumental sound.
When the theme concluded, Jann Wenner couldn't restrain an exclamation, "Eric Williams is truly a genius."
Anna Wintour was unbothered by Jann's exuberance, grinning, "Are you now starting to think about a feature article on this show?"
Jann eagerly nodded. Not only that, but he also planned to write the feature himself. However, as that thought crossed his mind, he froze.
"Jann , what's wrong?" Anna inquired.
He shook his head and replied, "Anna, it seems we know nothing about these singers and the names of the new songs; how are we supposed to write the feature?"
Anna pondered for a moment and realized, "I see."
"What?" Jann asked impatiently.
Anna explained, "The purpose of this Victoria's Secret Show remains to promote the brand. Although these songs were all personally composed by Eric, he likely doesn't wish for the media to focus too much on them."
Jann displayed a look of regret, "So, the fact that we know nothing about these bands, singers, and song titles means we can't really discuss them -- what a clever tactic. No wonder I haven't heard the host introduce any of the singers or music."
Anna nodded, "Eric Williams' marketing of the Victoria's Secret brand is nothing short of classic. I even believe this case might appear in many business school textbooks. He certainly wouldn't miss out on the music as a marketing point; perhaps he is merely waiting for the right moment."
...
The two conversed quietly as the lighting in the venue shifted again, the strong spotlights extinguishing in favor of scattered golden lights. The atmosphere in the room became somewhat ethereal and luxurious, reminiscent of the opulent jazz parties of roaring twenties.
The classical, soothing prelude of Youiful accompanied by a female voice's sigh-like humming gradually filled the space. Cindy Crawford, already possessing a classical beauty, appeared on stage adorned in the iconic pearl accessories, a cloche hat, and a crystal gown of the golden age, evoking a dreamy past that felt almost surreal.
Some older audience members had not particularly enjoyed the previous somewhat chaotic music; however, as this Baroque-style piece unfolded, many felt a wave of nostalgia and melancholy wash over them. Having achieved success in their middle age, they had witnessed great luxury, but the girl who once held their hand, exploring the streets, was now a distant memory. Such regret, while not heart-wrenching, remained difficult to shake, and tears would fall unbidden.
After the song, facing the empty stage, even those originally disinterested in the performers felt an urge to see the singer. However, they didn't understand why male rock bands consistently took the stage, while none of the female performers appeared -- only instrumental accompaniment was utilized.
...
In the backstage control room, Eric watched the images on the monitor, nodding in satisfaction. Regarding the confusion of many in attendance, Eric wasn't simply driven by personal preference but drew from experiences from his past life. He understood that in many Victoria's Secret annual shows, female guests performing had only two outcomes: either they overshadowed the Angels, resulting in critiques that the show felt more like a solo concert, or the typically shorter guests appeared as ugly ducklings beside the Angels. Either scenario led to a horrible outcome, so Eric decided against allowing female singers on stage.
Watching the crew prepare nervously for the final theme on the monitor, Eric picked up the intercom that could communicate with everyone, providing encouraging words before setting it down. He turned to the girl beside him and the twins and smiled, "It's the last theme -- don't you want to go out and take a look?"
The girl, flipping through Eric's thick work manual, raised her chin with a grin, "No, I prefer watching you."
Eric shrugged his shoulders, at a loss for words, as he heard the executive director signal the start once more. All attention was redirected to the monitor; provided nothing went wrong in this final theme, the show would conclude perfectly. With five themes already completed, each of the five Victoria's Secret ambassadors had walked once, leaving the last theme, 'Snow Dance Elves,' to Diane Kruger once again.
Noticing Diane nervously making the sign of the cross in front, a smile formed on Eric's lips. He was extremely pleased with Diane's performance, and felt confident that everyone in attendance would no longer question his favoritism toward her.
As the final song, I Knew You Were Trouble, began to play, Diane walked towards the stage like a snow elf.
Eric's gaze followed Diane's figure, shifting to the camera monitor inside the venue.
In the fixed panorama shot, everything appeared to be running smoothly.
However, as Diane crossed a quarter of the runway, Eric suddenly felt her figure sway dramatically, and a silver high-heeled shoe slipped off her left foot.
*****
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