Secret's out!

Just in time for holiday gift giving, Victoria's Secret wants to remind us of lingerie, lots and lots of lingerie. The eagerly anticipated fashion show was attended by a large number of celebrities and included a warm-up performance by the reunited British group, Spice Girls.

Supermodel Heidi Klum returned to the show's runway after giving birth to her third child. She not only pranced in several ensembles - including one that featured a giant, unfolding snowflake - she also sang with her husband Seal.

Also appearing at this year's show was Black-Eyed Peas front man Will.I.Am. Rap star Kanye West backed out following the death of his mother.

And, of course, there were the more than two-dozen leggy models, including top models Adriana Lima and Karolina Kourkora, and the inventive new forms of underwear they donned.

The thongs of years past are getting accessorised with a skirt, cape, train, wrapping paper or, in more than one instance, ceramic tiles gently draped over their backsides.

Along with the flowing drapery that many models wore, there were a few common threads here and there. Among them was a sprinkling of feathers from such exotic birds as ostriches and peacocks, plus liberal helpings of what is known in Victoria's Secret parlance as "crystallised Swarovski elements". To the average layman, they look a lot like sequins.

Hats also were a big accessory this year, with one model adorning a giant rose atop her head and another with a diaphanous bell completely surrounding her face.