Pictures: Victoria's Secret fashion show

Supermodel Gisele Bundchen in the Victoria's Secret Fashion show. Picture / Reuters

NEW YORK - The Victoria's Secret fashion show staged an exuberant return yesterday as the US lingerie retailer brought back its sexually-charged runway extravaganza for the first time in two years.

The fashion show, a multimillion dollar televised showcase of lacy titillation, was scrapped last year amid a wave of broadcasting modesty that followed singer Janet Jackson's breast-baring Super Bowl "wardrobe malfunction" in 2004.

The event was held at the New York State Armory in Manhattan, New York, the streets surrounding the building were packed with long lines of hopeful fans, some of whom were turned away.

The standing-room only crowd eyed celebrity supermodels including Gisele Bundchen, Naomi Campbell, Tyra Banks and Heidi Klum - making her first appearance after giving birth - decked out in the latest over-the-top Victoria's Secret designs.

The runway was decorated as a holiday toy room, with giant pink teddy bears emblazoned with "Sexy Little Bear," supersized gift boxes, candy canes and alphabet building blocks.

The models pranced down the runway in holiday-themed lingerie that an R-rated elf might wear, such as a tiny Santa skirt with feather trim, fur-trimmed stiletto boots. Other items included a feather plume bustle, an embroidered bra and a fishnet thong with Swarovski crystals.

Unlike a typical runway show where models wear stony pouts, the models walking the runway were smiling and lip-syncing to the music. They closed the show by lining up at the top of the runway, dancing and embracing one another.

The show opened with jazz musician Chris Botti playing the trumpet. Singers Seal and Ricky Martin also performed.

The crowd cheered the musicians and supermodels, especially Heidi Klum and Tyra Banks, who has been focusing on her new career as a talk-show host and television producer.

- REUTERS