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Good news if you've always wanted to see the Victoria's Secret angel wings up close — there's now a Victoria's Secret Fashion Show museum at the brand's flagship store on Fifth Avenue.
Arriving about an hour after the store opened, I had to contain my excitement.
Be cool, I thought. Be cool.
I started fangirling when I saw Maria Borges' giant firework wings — they were my favorite look from the entire 2015 show
The exhibit is primarily filled with 2016 VS Fashion Show pieces, so I was happy that this 2015 look made it in.
Borges was the first angel to wear her natural hair, a cute cropped 'fro, on the VS Fashion Show runway.
Source: Essence
When you walk into the behemoth that is the VS flagship store, this is the first thing you see.
What surprised me about the wings is how architectural they are. Most people never get to see the wings up close, and it was fascinating to see all the tiny details.
The glittery goth wings were worn by Lily Aldridge.
Fun fact: Back in 2011, Aldridge walked the VC catwalk while pregnant.
Each look is made custom for the model wearing it.
What made this museum really cool was that you could see the structure of the wings.
Like these small flowers worn by newcomer Sanne Vloet for the Mountain Angel part of the show.
The main museum is on the third floor...
...but there are displays on every floor leading up to it.
I *almost* tripped as I ascended this beautiful glass staircase toward the most glamorous museum gallery ever.
I thought I was ready, but I wasn't.
These wings of badassery were part of the Dark Angels segment.
They were so huge that they put them on a stand high in the air.
They were worn by Swedish angel Elsa Hosk.
AND AWAY WE GOOOO...
This look was worn by Taylor Hill during a segment called The Road Ahead.
As the sign reads, "tickets for the show are never sold." More reason to visit the museum!
This Swarovksi crystal bodice look GLOWS.
The beading continued as fringe off of the bodice.
The wings are made of Swarovski crystals and LEDs that resemble golden fireworks.
Martha Hunt was the lucky angel to wear this stunner.
Fun fact: They actually do the show twice to avoid mistakes. The final broadcast is a mix of the two with only the *best* scenes.
Source: The Gloss
The beauty team can rip through 150 tubes of lip gloss and 30 cans of hairspray for a single show.
Source: The Gloss
After every runway show, wings are archived in the brand's New York headquarters, but some are redesigned for certain stores.
Source: Teen Vogue
All of the beading on this floral harness was done by hand.
As well as the florets that continue down the leg.
Teen Vogue reported that wings can take up to 400 hours to create
Source: Teen Vogue
With that much work, you know they're a labor of "love."
I had to use a bad pun. I had to.
This mood board shows how the idea for a look begins.
This is a list of every model that's ever walked in the show.
Look closely for famous signatures from angels like Kendall Jenner...
...and Gigi Hadid.
Speaking of Hadids, here's one of Bella's looks from the 2016 show.
The corseting on the back was gorgeous.
She rocked it, even if she was walking past her ex in one of the most awkward VS Fashion Show moments ever.
Gigi wore this harnessed look, which has amazing craftsmanship.
Candice Swanepoel wore this Swarovski crystal bodysuit.
Up close, the feathered wings look light as air.
I totally wanted the jacket on this mannequin.
Would've been useful during the New York winters.
Constance Jablonski rocked these interstellar wings; the entire ensemble weighs 40 pounds!
Source: ELLE
Even the panties were embellished.
Hand wash only, I presume.
Something like this has to be fit to the model's body five or six times.
Source: Teen Vogue
The intricate beading covered the entire bodysuit.
The average height of a VS Angel is 5'10" — so this piece was definitely larger than life.
Source: ELLE
Remember all these performances?
This shimmering runway look would be perfect for a night out on the town.
The museum also has a mock design studio.
So you can really imagine what it's like to construct a Victoria's Secret Fashion Show look.
There are also massive mood boards with sketches and fabric samples.
These wings are from the Dark Angel portion of the show, and they're total Evil Queen vibes.
Here's another Dark Angel look, but with chaps and lots fringe.
These super fun wings were part of the fireworks segment.
"Since the first show, over 200 pairs of wings have been created."
MY GOODNESS these wings are huge. And beautiful. But mostly huge.
Props to Joan Smalls for managing to walk powerfully with these things strapped on her back.
Who knows how long the gallery will be around. Stop by before it's gone!
