Record number of Chinese models join Shanghai lingerie extravaganza Victoria's Secret fashion show

Models smile on the catwalk for the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai on Nov 20. [Photo provided to China Daily]

A record number of seven Chinese models took to the runway during the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai on Nov 20.

Apart from Liu Wen, He Sui and Xi Mengyao, all of whom have taken part in previous Victoria's Secret fashion shows before, four new Chinese models also emerged on the runway. Among this quartet was Wang Yi, who got her spot by winning a reality TV show in China.

It was the first time the US lingerie brand rolled out its annual extravaganza in an Asian country.

Around 1,000 guests were in attendance at the event, which lasted about 40 minutes. A total of 87 outfits were showcased by 55 models, including famous names such as Alessandra Ambrosio, Candice Swanepoel and Karlie Kloss.

The first Asian edition of the popular show also featured Chinese artists such as pianist Li Yundi and singer Jane Zhang. Foreign acts included Harry Styles, Grammy Award-winning artist Miguel Jontel Pimentel and musical Hamilton's Leslie Odom Jr.

But the name that topped China's social network searches and discussions after the show was Xi. The 28-year-old Shanghainese had the ignominy of slipping on her dress during the show, though she recovered to complete the catwalk.

Within less than 24 hours, her apology on Sina Weibo, the Chinese equivalent of Twitter, received upward of 1.2 million thumbs-up and a slew of encouraging comments.

Ed Razek, marketing director of Victoria's Secret, described the fall on Twitter as "the most important moment" for the night, and that Xi presented the best of what the team strives to be.

Just one week after the show, Victoria's Secret opened a three-floor flagship store at Beijing's Wangfujing shopping area. It is the brand's fourth store selling all line products in China, after Shanghai, Chengdu and Chongqing. The Chongqing store opened on Nov 14, just one week before the Shanghai show.

The Beijing boutique sells all the popular lines including Body by Victoria, Very Sexy, Dream Angels, Victoria's Secret Pink, Bombshell, Cotton Lingerie and Victoria Sport.

The brand launched a big party to celebrate the opening in Beijing. Ju Xiaowen who, as one of the seven Chinese models walked on the Shanghai show appeared in the party to join the guests to watch the video of the show.

Meanwhile when the show broadcast throughout the world on Nov 29, Chinese customers could do "buy as you view" on Youku, China's online streaming platform, to buy the products featuring on the show. The brand's online shop at Tmall, China's leading e-commerce platform also sell the show lines.