For the past 20 years, one photographer has had exclusive access to the more than 300 Victoria’s Secret angels during their iconic holiday season fashion show.
Photographer Russell James has had the privilege of being backstage photographing the world’s top models including the likes of Bella Hadid, Miranda Kerr, Kendall Jenner, Gisele Bundchen, Naomi Campbell and the list goes on.
James, who is a native of Australia, was hired by the million-dollar brand 20 years ago in order to give its campaigns a more ‘fashion-forward look’.
The 55-year-old photographer is mostly noted for his innovative concept of shooting the backstage action which he described as ‘a delicate environment with the girls’, an intimate statement that is perfectly captured in the fun-filled nature of his snaps, which feature the likes of Kendall, Miranda, Candice Swanepoel and Taylor Hill.
His new book titled, Backstage Secrets: A Decade Behind the Scenes at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, is full to the brim of the ‘sexiest’ backstage images from his many years working as a photographer at the major event.
For the past 20 years, photographer Russell James (right) has had exclusive access to the more than 300 Victoria’s Secret angels and he’s released new images showcasing models in his new book – Backstage Secrets: A Decade Behind the Scenes at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. He has had the privilege of photographing the likes of Miranda Kerr (left) and more
James, who is a native of Australia, was hired by the million-dollar brand 20 years ago in order to give its campaigns a more ‘fashion-forward look’. Speaking to DailyMail.com, James explained that some of his favorite images in the book include shots of Gisele, Doutzen, Taylor Hill, Alessandra Ambrosio (above) and more
He said: ‘They all mean so much. Gisele taking the stage and ushering in the next level of fashionability, a shot of Doutzen (above) looking between the legs of the dancers always brought a smile to my face and seeing Taylor Hill walk her first show was really cool.’
Speaking to DailyMail.com, James explained that some of his favorite images in the book include shots of Gisele, Doutzen Kroes, Taylor Hill and more.
‘They all mean so much. Gisele taking the stage and ushering in the next level of fashionability, a shot of Doutzen looking between the legs of the dancers always brought a smile to my face and seeing Taylor Hill walk her first show was really cool,’ James said.
‘The cover of Miranda though kind of says it all. This is a secret world we all get a glimpse into for a brief window once a year.’
He also revealed that the most common thing the girls say while they are backstage is that ‘I am so nervous.’
‘My most common reply is ‘Don’t worry, every one of the girls here is just as nervous’. It’s a healthy kind of anticipation. So many of those same models have said to me after that it was the single best day of their professional life,’ James said.
The photographer explained that one of his main inspirations for his new book was the ‘incredible evolution’ of the show.
He also revealed that the most common thing the girls say while they are backstage is that ‘I am so nervous.’ Above Kendall Jenner and Sara Sampaio pose backstage at the 2016 show held at the Grand Palais in Paris
James said: The photographer explained that one of his main inspirations for his new book was the ‘incredible evolution’ of the show. Above Brazilian model, Lais Ribeiro, 26, who earned her wings in 2015, poses with the orchestra at the 2016 show in Paris
‘I have been lucky enough to witness from backstage – up close and personal. The show was a hit out of the gate,’ James said.
‘However, I don’t think anybody knew it would grow to become the single biggest fashion show on earth. It really is a modern cultural phenomenon.’
He added that his experience has ‘changed significantly’ from working his first show 20 years ago to the latest show that took place in China.
‘My experience backstage has changed significantly but there are some key elements that have not and that are at the heart of the show and its success,’ he shared.
‘The biggest change I have seen has been that it used to be raw and random backstage. At the time, the show started it was all about the front of the stage.
‘However, social media did what it does and changed everything. The backstage story and behind the scenes have now become possibly as important as main stage. Backstage has grown in ways hard to imagine.’
The 55-year-old believes that the new talent who ‘come into this very small and special family often need encouragement and nurturing.’ Above Candice Swanepoel, 29, is spotted running barefoot backstage at the 2009 show held at the Lexington Avenue Armory in NYC
James said being backstage with the world’s most beautiful models is a ‘delicate environment’ as ‘each one of the girls in the show is a star in their own right.’ Above Stella Maxwell, 27, poses backstage at the 2016 show in Paris wearing a sexy lederhosen inspired outfit
He added, ‘I used to wander alone with a camera and now every major news outlet in the world is scheduled time in and at times there are a hundred or more.
‘However, over time I have been granted the rare privilege of having all access at all times. The girls and musicians I have been there with through the years have become creative collaborators.’
The 55-year-old believes that the new talent who ‘come into this very small and special family often need encouragement and nurturing.’
He said: ‘Even for the biggest names it can be an intimidating cast to walk into for the first time. It works best for everyone when there is a team spirit and a single goal.
‘I am not a part of creating the show. I simply am lucky enough to have access to it all. I have to pinch myself occasionally and I never take it for granted.’
He said: ‘Even for the biggest names it can be an intimidating cast to walk into for the first time. It works best for everyone when there is a team spirit and a single goal. Above Gisele Bündchen, 37, hides a hairstylist under her arm in 2006 at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles
James couldn’t say which show over the years has been his single favorite.
But he did share that the fashion show that took place three years ago in London ‘was an incredible show’ that he didn’t think could be topped.
‘Then came Paris and the Grand Palais and how can you beat that? Try Shanghai which was probably the most ambitious cultural collaboration in fashion ever,’ the photographer said.
‘Each show is so unique and that’s what keeps it propelling forward. It’s not just the music, the models, the outfits, the sets, the city. It’s every single bit of it combined to one beautiful and over the top expression.’
James said being backstage with the world’s most beautiful models is a ‘delicate environment’ as ‘each one of the girls in the show is a star in their own right.’
‘Some are well established and some are rising however for those few days of travel, rehearsal, photo ops and finally the big show it’s about ‘the team’,’ he explained.
James couldn’t say which show over the years has been his single favorite. Above all of the models that walked in the 2013 show which was held in New York City pose backstage for a ‘class photo’
‘So, the delicate part is helping those with excessive nerve find their balance in all that star power. That is something the girls themselves take care of perfectly.
‘Sometimes I see it as my job to watch out for anyone who is feeling vulnerable and give them a nudge and I say, ‘get in there, you deserve to be here’.’
James also shared that his relationship with Victoria’s Secret is ‘very special’ and revealed how he happened to get the chance to work with the brand.
‘In 1996 I shot the cover of Sports Illustrated with Tyra Banks and an editorial spread with Stephanie Seymour for Italian Elle that caught Victoria’s Secret CMO and President Ed Razek’s eye,’ Russell said.
He said: ‘Sometimes I see it as my job to watch out for anyone who is feeling vulnerable and give them a nudge and I say, ‘get in there, you deserve to be here’.’
‘He has given me enormous trust which has been built over the years. In this business you are only as good as your photograph. So I approach every shoot for Victoria’s Secret as if is my first.
‘One of the great things I have learned from Ed Razek is ‘better to fall on your face than your ass’. He encourages me to push and I do!’
He added that since he is a freelance photographer, he’s been ‘incredibly lucky to work with great editorial brands like Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, many of the major fashion brands and companies like Rolex, Revlon, Reebok, Evian, Mercedes Benz and the like.’
‘My interest in photography has always been generally ‘photography’ whether an indigenous elder, head of state, super model, celebrity or a landscape,’ Russell said.’I love images and am not confined.’