Klum wows at Victoria's Secret

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MODEL BEHAVIOUR: Model Heidi Klum arrives for the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in New York.

BLOWING IN THE WIND: Model Heidi Klum presents a creation during the 2009 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in New York.

GOOD ASSETS: Model Marisa Miller presents a $3 Million bra during the 2009 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in New York.

YOU CAN'T TOUCH THIS: Model Marisa Miller presents a $3 Million bra during the 2009 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in New York.

EXPENSIVE UNDERWEAR: Model Marisa Miller presents a $3 Million bra during the 2009 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in New York.

SHOW OFF: Model Marisa Miller poses with the $3 Million dollar bra that she will be wearing on the runway for the Victoria Secret Fashion Show in New York.

TRIPLE TROUBLE: Models Marisa Miller, Heidi Klum and Doutzen Kroes wave after presenting creations during the 2009 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in New York.

VAMPED UP: Model Marisa Miller presents a creation during the 2009 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in New York.

PINNED ON: A model presents a creation during the 2009 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in New York.

BARELY THERE: A model presents a creation during the 2009 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in New York.

CHEEKY MESSAGE: A model presents a creation during the 2009 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in New York.

READY FOR MARDI GRAS: Model Alessandra Ambrosio presents a creation during the 2009 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in New York.

STRUTTING HER STUFF: Model Miranda Kerr presents a creation during the 2009 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in New York.

BIRDS OF A FEATHER: Model Miranda Kerr presents a creation during the 2009 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in New York.

PARTY TIME: A model presents a creation during the 2009 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in New York.

CANDY COATED: Model Erin Heatherton presents a creation during the 2009 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in New York.

WINGS OF AN ANGEL: Model Doutzen Kroes presents a creation during the 2009 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in New York

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Heidi Klum and her post-baby body led the parade at the annual Victoria's Secret fashion show, which returned to New York with some fresh faces after four years on the road.

The lingerie retailer inducted five more women into its "Angel" ranks - a designation reserved for top models - in front of a packed house at the Lexington Avenue Armory.

They are Emanuela de Paula, Chanel Iman, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Lindsay Ellingson and Candice Swanepoel.

But Klum, who gave birth to a daughter five weeks ago, was the audience favourite in her purple corset covered with a half gown with poufs of tulle. She emerged from the huge, castle-like set to applause.

Musical guest The Black Eyed Peas - especially Fergie, its only female member, who wore a black, jewelled bodysuit - was another crowd-pleaser. She came out later in a green corset gown.

Of course, fashion really is secondary here. Victoria's Secret always puts on an elaborate production - this time with a choir, acrobatic dancers and a giant polka-dot dog balloon - and fuels hype about its models.

An online model search started earlier this month and is now down to two contestants, one of whom will be chosen by the public to appear in the televised version of the fashion show that airs in America on December 1.

"I could watch this online, but it's a fun scene," said Russell Simmons from his front row seat. "This show is always fun and a great production."

"It's always a spectacular," agreed costume designer Patricia Field. "Victoria's Secret does that extra thing I like."

Klum, who normally wears the most elaborate outfits, only appeared once so it was former Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover girl Marissa Miller who had the honor of wearing a $3 million, diamond-encrusted bra.

Splashy jewels, it seemed, were one of the themes of the show with many models dripping in diamonds, crystals and other bling - while others wore faux fur stoles over their bras and panties. Thigh-high boots were the other must-have accessory.

Outfits fell into one of four themes: Star Trooper with breast plates and body armor; Pink Planet, which had a hippie vibe; the ethereal Enchanted Forest; and Romantic Journey that featured a lot of lace.

Compared to previous years, the overall collection didn't seem as skimpy, although Miranda Kerr wore an itsy-bitsy black thong get-up that might have to be edited out of the TV show.