| at 11:35 PM




Victoria's Secret was started in San Francisco, California, in 1977 by Stanford Graduate School of Business alumnus Roy Raymond,[3] who felt embarrassed trying to purchase lingerie for his wife in a department store environment. He opened the first store at Stanford Shopping Center, and quickly followed it with a mail-order catalog and three other stores.[3] The stores were meant to create a comfortable environment for men, with wood-paneled walls, Victorian details and helpful sales staff. Instead of racks of bras and panties in every size, there were single styles, paired together and mounted on the wall in frames. Men could browse for styles for women and sales staff would help estimate the appropriate size, pulling from inventory in the back. In 1982, after five years of operations, Roy Raymond sold the company to The Limited.
The Limited kept the personalized image of Victoria's Secret intact. Victoria's Secret was rapidly expanded into the U.S. malls throughout the 1980s. The company was able to vend a widened range of products, such as shoes, evening wear, and perfumes, with its mail catalog issued eight times annually.
By the early 1990s, Victoria's Secret had become the largest American lingerie retailer, topping one billion dollars.[4]
On July 10, 2007, Limited Brands sold 75% of The Limited clothing chain to firm Sun Capital Partners to focus and boost sales growth on Victoria's Secret lingerie stores and Bath & Body Works units, which provided 72% of revenue in 2006 and almost all the firm's profit.[5] There are 1,000 Victoria's Secret lingerie stores and 100 independent Victoria's Secret Beauty Stores in the US, mostly in shopping centers. It sells brassieres, panties, hosiery, cosmetics, sleepwear, and other products. Victoria's Secret mails more than 400 million of its catalogs per year.[1] Under pressure from environmentalist groups, Victoria's Secret's parent firm and a conservation group have reached an agreement to make the lingerie retailer's catalog more environmentally friendly in 2006. The catalog will no longer be made of pulp supplied from any woodland caribou habitat range in Canada, unless it has been certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. The catalogs will also be made of 10 percent recycled paper from post-consumer waste.[6]
Victoria's Secret is now attempting to build its image with a fairly conservative, middle-class shopper in mind, avoiding any connotations of sleaziness that lingerie might carry.[4]
The company gained notoriety in the early 1990s after it began to use supermodels in its advertising and fashion shows. Throughout the past decade, it has turned down celebrity models and endorsements.[7]
Victoria's Secret makes use of a rigorous customer service model, stressing upselling, frequent staff attention, and signing up customers for a store credit card that provides discounts for frequent shoppers in the way of coupons by mail and free merchandise.[citation needed]
[edit] Victoria's Secret Angels"Victoria's Secret Angels" are the brand's most visible models and spokeswomen. The VS Angels made their début in 1999 in the fourth annual Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. Daniela Pestova, Karen Mulder, Laetitia Casta, Heidi Klum, Stephanie Seymour, and Tyra Banks are among the "Angels" from the original promotion.[8] In May 2007, the Victoria's Secret Angels, including Adriana Lima, Selita Ebanks, Alessandra Ambrosio, Izabel Goulart, and Karolina Kurkova were chosen to be part of People Magazine's annual "100 Most Beautiful People in the World" issue. [9] On November 13, 2007, Victoria's Secret Angels became the first trademark awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. [10] The 'Angels' are among the world's best-paid models.[7]
August 1, 1995
Plaza Hotel, New York City
Natane Adcock · Leilani Bishop · Catherine McCord · Beverly Peele · Stephanie Seymour · Ingrid Seynhaeve · Frederique van der Wal · Veronica Webb
[2]
01996-02-06 February 6, 1996
Plaza Hotel, New York City
Tyra Banks · Naomi Campbell · Helena Christensen · Stephanie Seymour · Frederique van der Wal
[4][26]
01997-02-04 February 4, 1997
Plaza Hotel, New York City
Tyra Banks · Naomi Campbell · Laetitia Casta · Helena Christensen · Tricia Helfer · Heidi Klum · Vendela Kirsebom · Georgianna Robertson · Claudia Schiffer · Ingrid Seynhaeve · Stephanie Seymour · Frederique van der Wal
[27][28][5]
01998-02-03 February 3, 1998
Plaza Hotel, New York City
Natane Adcock · Tyra Banks · Naomi Campbell · Laetitia Casta · Tricia Helfer · Jaime King · Heidi Klum · Rebecca Romijn · Stephanie Seymour · Patricia Velásquez
[1][6][29]
01999-02-03 February 3, 1999
Cipriani Wall Street restaurant, New York City
Natane Adcock · Tyra Banks · Elsa Benítez · Leilani Bishop · Gisele Bündchen · Laetitia Casta · Ana Cláudia Michels · Trish Goff · Eva Herzigová · Kirsty Hume · Kiara Kabukuru · Carmen Kass · Jaime King · Heidi Klum · Hollyanne Leonard · Adriana Lima · Karen Mulder · Daniela Peštová · Frankie Rayder · Inés Rivero · Stephanie Seymour · Eugenia Silva
[9][30][31][32][33][29]
02000-05-18 May 18, 2000
Cannes, France
Alessandra Ambrosio · Mini Anden · Danita Angell · Tyra Banks · Gisele Bündchen · Naomi Campbell · Laetitia Casta · Aurélie Claudel · Haylynn Cohen · Rhea Durham · Trish Goff · Eva Herzigová · Carmen Kass · Heidi Klum · Karolína Kurková · Adriana Lima · Angela Lindvall · Ana Cláudia Michels · Karen Mulder · Oluchi Onweagba · Daniela Peštová · Frankie Rayder · Caroline Ribeiro · Inés Rivero · Stephanie Seymour · Ingrid Seynhaeve · Fernanda Tavares
[10][1][34][35]
02001-11-13 November 13, 2001 (taped);[14]02001-11-15 November 15, 2001 (aired)[14]
Bryant Park, New York City
Alessandra Ambrosio · Mini Anden · Tyra Banks · Gisele Bündchen · Aurélie Claudel · Rhea Durham · Karen Elson · Trish Goff · Bridget Hall · Emma Heming · Eva Herzigová · Heidi Klum · Karolína Kurková · Anouck Lepere · Adriana Lima · Audrey Marnay · Diána Mészáros · Omahyra Mota · Daniela Peštová · Rie Rasmussen · Caroline Ribeiro · Inés Rivero · Maggie Rizer · Molly Sims · Fernanda Tavares · Alek Wek
[13][36][15]
02002-11-14 November 14, 2002 (taped);[37]02002-11-20 November 20, 2002 (aired)[38]
Lexington Avenue Armory,New York City
Michelle Alves · Alessandra Ambrosio · Caitriona Balfe · Tyra Banks · Ana Beatriz Barros · Letícia Birkheuer · Gisele Bündchen · Naomi Campbell · Dewi Driegen · Reka Ebergenyi · Lindsay Frimodt · Bridget Hall · Ana Hickmann · Carmen Kass · Liya Kebede · Heidi Klum · Karolína Kurková · Adriana Lima · Oluchi Onweagba · Daniela Peštová* · Ujjwala Raut · Frankie Rayder · Caroline Ribeiro · Inga Savita · Claudia Schiffer* · Nadine Strittmatter · Yfke Sturm · Fernanda Tavares · Eugenia Volodina · Raquel Zimmermann
[15][38][39][40]
02003-11-13 November 13, 2003 (taped);[16]02003-11-19 November 19, 2003 (aired)[41]
Lexington Avenue Armory,New York City
Michelle Alves · Alessandra Ambrosio · Mini Anden · Tyra Banks · Ana Beatriz Barros · Letícia Birkheuer · Marcelle Bittar · Gisele Bündchen · Naomi Campbell · Dewi Driegen · Isabeli Fontana · Lindsay Frimodt · Eva Herzigová* · Carmen Kass · Liya Kebede · Heidi Klum · Karolína Kurková · Adriana Lima · Angela Lindvall · Deanna Miller · Oluchi Onweagba · Ujjwala Raut · Frankie Rayder · Margarita Svegzdaite · Fernanda Tavares · Eugenia Volodina · Jacquetta Wheeler
[16][42][43][44]
02005-11-09 November 9, 2005 (taped);[17]02005-12-06 December 6, 2005 (aired)[45]
Lexington Avenue Armory,New York City
Alessandra Ambrosio, Tyra Banks, Bianca Balti, Ana Beatriz Barros, Gisele Bündchen, Inguna Butane, Naomi Campbell, Morgane Dubled, Selita Ebanks, Isabeli Fontana, Izabel Goulart, Heidi Klum, Tatiana Kovylina, Doutzen Kroes, Karolína Kurková, Adriana Lima, Angela Lindvall, Andi Muise, Oluchi Onweagba, Natasha Poly, Julia Stegner, Yfke Sturm, Fernanda Tavares, Caroline Trentini, Eugenia Volodina, Marija Vujović, Caroline Winberg, Raquel Zimmermann
[17][45][46][47]
02006-11-16 November 16, 2006 (taped);[20]02006-12-05 December 5, 2006 (aired)[48]
Kodak Theatre, Los Angeles
Alessandra Ambrosio · Ana Beatriz Barros · Gisele Bündchen · Jeísa Chiminazzo · Élise Crombez · Flavia de Oliveira · Thalita de Oliveira* · Morgane Dubled · Selita Ebanks · Izabel Goulart · Rosie Huntington-Whiteley · Miranda Kerr · Heidi Klum* · Doutzen Kroes · Karolína Kurková · Adriana Lima · Angela Lindvall · Heather Marks · Andi Muise · Ajuma Nasenyana · Oluchi Onweagba · Natasha Poly · Katja Shchekina · Hana Soukupová · Jessica Stam · Julia Stegner · Caroline Trentini · Caroline Winberg · Raquel Zimmermann
[18][20][48][49]
02007-11-16 November 16, 2007 (taped);[50]02007-12-04 December 4, 2007 (aired)[21]
Kodak Theatre, Los Angeles
Alessandra Ambrosio · Inguna Butane · Élise Crombez · Flavia de Oliveira · Morgane Dubled · Selita Ebanks · Lindsay Ellingson · Isabeli Fontana · Felita Franks* · Izabel Goulart · Rosie Huntington-Whiteley · Miranda Kerr · Heidi Klum · Michaela Kocianova · Karolína Kurková · Noémie Lenoir · Adriana Lima · Angela Lindvall · Marisa Miller · Andi Muise · Oluchi Onweagba · Behati Prinsloo · Hana Soukupová · Jessica Stam · Julia Stegner · Candice Swanepoel · Eugenia Volodina · Marija Vujović · Erin Wasson · Jessica White · Katie Wile · Caroline Winberg
[21][51][52]
02008-11-15 November 15, 2008 (taped);[53]02008-12-03 December 3, 2008 (aired)[54]
Fontainebleau Hotel, Miami
Clara Alonso, Alessandra Ambrosio, Ana Beatriz Barros, Inguna Butane, Shannan Click, Emanuela de Paula, Flavia de Oliveira, Morgane Dubled, Selita Ebanks, Lindsay Ellingson, Isabeli Fontana, Izabel Goulart, Erin Heatherton, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Carmen Kass, Miranda Kerr, Heidi Klum, Doutzen Kroes, Karolína Kurková, Abbey Lee, Noémie Lenoir, Adriana Lima, Maryna Linchuk, Angela Lindvall, Sessilee Lopez, Marisa Miller, Arlenis Sosa Pena, Behati Prinsloo, Julia Stegner, Sarah Stephens, Lara Stone, Candice Swanepoel, Edita Vilkeviciute, Anne Vyalitsyna, Caroline Winberg

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS
Read Comments

pussycat dolls....fatigue......

| at 11:28 PM


BURBANK, California — It's a scene that probably wouldn't be out of place up the road at Hef's humble abode, but here in a dance studio in Burbank, it's a decidedly different affair.
The Pussycat Dolls — a five-piece now, since the departure of Carmit Bachar back in March — are bumping, grinding and sweating with a shocking level of precision and professionalism. They're putting the finishing touches on their performance for Sunday night's MTV Movie Awards, a shimmying, gyrating showstopper that's designed to both drop jaws and promote "When I Grow Up," the first single from thAnd though there is plenty of giggling and a fair amount of horseplay, it's also clear from their drill-team synchronicity and the looks on their faces that the 'Cats clearly mean business.
"This is a big deal for us. We just want to kill it. It's all about the Dolls right now, and we're coming strong," said Nicole Scherzinger, the de facto leader of PCD. "We feel really good about this new album, we feel really good as a group, and we feel like this new album is really the next level for us. If you liked the first one, you're going to love this one."
That's big talk, because lots of people liked their first album, the glossy and flossy PCD, which, based on the success of singles like "Don't Cha" and "Buttons," sold nearly 3 million copies in the U.S. alone and made the Dolls the heirs apparent to the Spice Girls' bedazzled throne. So, clearly, there's a fair amount of pressure on the group this time out, which is why they've turned once again to some old friends for help on album number two.
"We're working with some of the same crew on this one. Timbaland is executive-producing, Cee-Lo Green is on it, Polow Da Don, Sean Garrity — they're on it too," Scherzinger said. "There are songs on the album that people wouldn't expect from PCD — some smooth, slow jams, some alternative jams. We're really coming ferocious with the music this time out."
Of course, first single "When I Grow Up" is neither a slow jam nor a particularly alternative one, but it's most certainly ferocious. A hyper-speed slice of super-pop produced by Rodney Jerkins, it features sirens, handclaps, pitch-shifted vocals and a certifiably undeniable chorus that attempts to dive a centimeter or two deeper than your average radio fare.
"All of us started with a dream. I know when I was young, and I would sign people's notebooks, I wrote, 'Remember me when I'm famous,' and I don't know of a little kid who hasn't aspired to be someone," Scherzinger said. "The lyrics go, 'When I grow up, I wanna be famous, I wanna be a star, I wanna be in movies,' but there's a twist at the end, because it says, 'Be careful what you wish for, because you might just get it.' "
It's a theme that's getting plenty of traction these days — beware the high cost of fame — but Scherzinger and the Dolls say they're not trying to talk to the Britneys and Lindsays of the world. Rather, they want the song to inspire but hope that listeners will grasp the cautionary tale contained within. Or, you know, something like that. eir upcoming new album (due later this year). "We're not pointing a finger, because we don't think it's nice to judge," Scherzinger laughed. "Because sometimes people judge us, and it's mean."

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS
Read Comments

about the EarTh....

| at 11:16 PM







The Earth, Sun, and Moon
The Earth
Earth, which is our base from which we look into space, is constantly moving. Understanding this movement is one of the most useful and important things in astronomy.
The earth orbits the sun in an elliptical orbit and the moon orbits the earth with the same kind of orbit. Looking down from the north pole, the earth spins in a counterclockwise direction on an imaginary line called its axis once every day. This accounts for the fact that the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. The earth’s axis is tilted with respect to the plane of its orbit at an angle of about 23.4 degrees. If we position ourselves high above the north pole, we would see that the earth orbits the sun in a counterclockwise motion, coming to the same position among the stars every 365.26 earth days. We would also see that the moon also orbits the earth in a counterclockwise motion. This is illustrated in the following example.The average distance from the earth to the sun, the semimajor axis of its orbit, is 149,597,890 km. This distance was not known until recently and it is called the astronomical unit or AU. The distances of the other planets to the sun are usually measured in astronomical units.
Because of the tilt of the earth, not every place on earth gets light every day. Also, some places have extremely short days.
As the earth revolves around the sun, the place where light shines the brightest changes. This motion gives us the different seasons. For instance, the poles receive less light than does the equator because of the angle that the land around the poles receive the sun’s light. When the north pole is tilted toward the sun, the northern hemisphere is presented to the sun at a greater angle than the southern hemisphere and the northern hemisphere gets warmer. When this happens, the northern hemisphere gets summer while the southern hemisphere gets winter. When the south pole is tilted toward the sun, the two seasons reverse hemispheres. This is illustrated in the following image.The earth’s orbit is called the ecliptic. The plane which contains the ecliptic is the reference plane for the positions of most solar system bodies. Viewed from earth, the ecliptic is the apparent motion of the sun among the stars.
The earth’s equator is a circle going around the earth which is on a plane that is perpendicular to the earth’s axis. The equator and the plane on which it lies are illustrated in the following image.

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS
Read Comments

lima expecting new babY........

| at 10:58 PM


The stunning Brazilian’s representatives have confirmed to US website People.com that she and husband Marko Jaric are about to become proud parents of a baby.
She is due to give birth this winter, reports The Sun.The rep told People: “Adriana and Marko are overjoyed that they are expecting their first child together and are excited to share the happy news and start their family together.”
The couple eloped on Valentine’’s Day this year, tying the knot in a small, private civil ceremony in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
Lima and Jaric, who plays for the Memphis Grizzlies, met in 2006 and got engaged two years later on Lima’’s 27th birthday.

-->

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS
Read Comments
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)