Victoria's Secret Diamond Bras

02.09.08

Most of us feel we've seriously splashed out if we pay over $50 or $60 for a new bra, maybe holding out for something a bit more expensive from our nearest and dearest for our birthday, engagement, anniversary or Christmas present. But in your wildest dreams, did you ever imagine yourself in a bra that is made from sparkling diamonds worth millions of dollars? Well, welcome to the world of the Victoria's Secret Fantasy Bra - studded in precious gems, unfeasibly spectacular, and very, very expensive!

Ruby and Emerald Lingerie

With a value of over US$10 million, the 2002 Star of Victoria Bra (above) is one heck of a piece of lingerie. It is covered in thousands of tiny rubies and emeralds, and the crowning glory is a 60 carat pear shaped diamond, as you can see in the picture, aside. Of course, there's no point having the bra without the matching undies, is there girls? So if you have any spare change left over after paying for the bra, you might want to get ruby and emerald encrusted panties for a matching set.

Understated Beauty

If your tastes are a wee bit more understated, and all those rubies and emeralds are not for you, what about the 2004 Fantasy Bra? This dainty, lacy-looking bra again has a price tag of US$10 million, and is a white diamond masterpiece, crafted from 2900 sparkling pave diamonds set in 18 carat white gold. As with the 2002 bra, there is a spectacular pear-shaped diamond centrepiece, glimmering with fire and brilliance, this time weighing in at a fabulous 70 carats. It's quite amazing and I was almost tempted to splash out the nest egg on this one!

Diamond Daisies

The 2005 Fantasy Bra left its predecessors in the dust, again raising the bar on what a true fantasy bra might be. Again crafted in 18 carat white gold and with 2900 pave diamonds, this pretty number also included 22 generously sized rubies that form the centre of each daisy. And, of course, the centre boasts a magnificent and eye-catching diamond, namely the 101 carat Mouawad Splendour diamond. And the price for all that sparkle? A snip at US$12.5 million.

Hearts on Fire

Clearly Victoria's Secret began to feel sorry for its poor cash-strapped customers by 2006, when its yearly Fantasy Bra had an almost reasonable price tag of US$6.5 Million. Still the more modest price tag did not mean a more modest bra, with this design showing as much pizazz and radiance as anything that had come before. The bra features 2000 beautiful white diamonds in a glamorous design, with a 10 carat diamond centrepiece that is cleverly detachable and doubles as a brooch - beautiful and versatile, who could ask for more?

Poinsettia

The following year, Victoria's Secret unveiled a festive bra and thong set that came with a garter, wrist cuff and hair barrette, all in a jolly poinsettia design. The set held a fabulous US$4.5 million worth of diamonds, emeralds, rubies, and yellow sapphires, all woven onto the snow-white push-up bra and accompanying pieces. I'm not sure what Ms Claus would make of it, or what it might do to the poor elves if she wore it, but it certainly looks the part for a very vogue and sexy festive season.

Diamonds for the Adventurous Kiwi

In the end, a gem encrusted bra is just what Victoria's Secret say it is - a fantasy. Fabulous to look and and dream over, but just no good when kayaking Abel Tasman or Skiing in Queenstown.

So for Kiwis looking for something spectacular, glamorous and beautiful but far more practical, why not treat yourself to a diamond ring from 1791 Diamonds. That way you can have a diamond that won't break the bank and you can let sparkle for all to see ... unlike gem-encrusted undies!