Victoria's Secret a fashion event unlike any other

There’s a clear reason why the annual Victoria’s Secret fashion show has a week – even a month - all to itself.

As an announcer’s voice bellowed to the crowd gathered inside an armory on Manhattan’s East Side Tuesday, the annual fashion spectacle “is unlike any other fashion event in the world.’’

You can say that again.

Take a peek backstage at the 2015 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2015 was more like a rock concert than a fashion review. Instead of the somber fashionistas who sit stage side during fashion week, saving their polite applause for the finale, the Victoria's Secret audience was on its feet throughout the show, clapping and shouting its approval.

There were actual pop stars on stage. The Weeknd performed. So did Selena Gomez, and Ellie Goulding.

But the supermodels stomping down the runway in stilettos, lace – and little else – were of course the stars of the show.

Kendall Jenner made her Victoria’s Secret debut, with proud mom, Kris Jenner, watching from the front row. Her bestie Gigi Hadid also strutted the runway.

With the seats pulsating from a soundtrack that ranged from De La Soul to Pat Benatar, the models shimmied, clapped and waved from the runway, their props and costumes akin to what one might see during Carnival in Brazil or Trinidad. .

There were giant pink billowing wings, mammoth poufs of plumage, bedazzled body stockings and one model sporting a spinning pin wheel on her back. Divided into several “acts,’’ from “exotic  butterflies,” to “ ice angels,” to “pink USA” and “fireworks,”  the attire illustrated the various themes, from the silver one piece and helmet simulating an astronaut’s cosmic wear, to the wild west motif represented by a turquoise lace brief accented with a white cowboy hat.

Take a peek backstage at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

At a time when Dove and Lane Bryant are calling for a celebration of more diverse body shapes, Victoria’s Secret stayed true to form, with a parade of rail thin models. But the ethnic diversity was striking, and a welcome respite from the homogeneous runways still all too common in the upper echelons of fashion.

From the paper snow that fell on the audience, to the finale where the models came out and danced before making their final exit, it was a great party. And in December,  when the show is scheduled to be televised, the whole world will have an all access pass.

The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2015 will be broadcast on CBS, Tuesday, December 8 at 10:00 p.m./9 p.m. central

Charisse Jones on Twitter: @charissejones.