The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show by the Numbers: Everything You Need to Know Before it Airs Tonight

Last Wednesday in Paris, I plunked down on a plush velvet chair at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel to watch the Victoria’s Secret Angels (all 51 of them) file through the lobby on show day. Yogurt bowls and pieces of toast in hand, the gorgeous, makeup-free models were boarding buses bound for the Grand Palais to start the hours-long prep for their turn under bright runway lights.

Backstage, the girls buzzed nervously between the hair and makeup chairs in matching pink robes and silver-flecked bras, taking selfies and snaps. First timers like Bella Hadid and Canadian Herieth Paul came armed with advice from the more seasoned Angels like Gigi, Alessandra and Adriana.

Bathed in pink light, the Grand Palais was packed with celebs like Lenny Kravitz, Dominic West and Nick Canon, fashion designers including Olivier Rousteing, Peter Dundas and Azzedine Alaia, and veteran Angels too (we spied Doutzen making her way to the front row). With so much buzz building before the show, I was already blown away by the time Elsa Hosk strutted the first dragon-inspired look down the glittery runway, kicking up stardust with every step. Tonight’s show is a must-see.

In anticipation the TV special, we’ve broken down the show by the numbers:

21 Victoria’s Secret fashion shows to date, but the first one in Paris

43 pairs of wings were custom made for the show

82 pairs of shoes walked the runway

3-million dollar diamond and emerald fantasy bra is decorated with over 9,000 gems set in 18-karat gold

2 songs played by Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga. The Weekend serenaded the girls with 1

36 makeup artists, 31 hairstylists and 11 manicurists backstage

12 live string players opened the show

200 Beachwavers were used to create the iconic Angel hair

1 pair of wings worn by Lady Gaga. Watch for them to spring from her leather jacket at the pull of a string