The Athlete Who Wore Three Million Dollars
In 2016, Jasmine Tookes stood on the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show runway in Paris wearing the $3 million Fantasy Bra — a 450-carat masterpiece of diamonds and emeralds set in 18-karat gold. She was 25 years old. She had been training for this moment her entire life, though not always in the way you might expect.
The Gymnast's Foundation
Born in 1991 in Huntington Beach, California, Tookes was a competitive gymnast before she was a model. She trained seriously through her childhood, developing the muscular precision and body awareness that would later distinguish her on the runway.
Her mother, also a model, introduced her to the industry. But it was Tookes's athletic background that set her apart. In a sea of waif-like figures, she had visible muscle definition, particularly in her abs and arms. She did not hide this — she made it her signature.
The Rise
Tookes's career accelerated rapidly:
- Signed with IMG Models as a teenager
- Walked for Burberry, Tom Ford, Dolce & Gabbana, and Prada
- Landed campaigns with Lancôme, UGGS, and Gap
- Became a Victoria's Secret Angel in 2015
Her editorial work was distinguished by a willingness to be physical. While other models posed, Tookes moved. Her gymnastics background gave her an understanding of her body in space that photographers found irresistible.
The Fantasy Bra
The 2016 Fantasy Bra was the crown jewel of Tookes's career. The selection process is famously secretive — Victoria's Secret chooses one Angel per year to wear the most expensive piece of lingerie ever created for the runway.
The Bright Night Fantasy Bra Tookes wore was crafted by Eddie Borgo in collaboration with the VS design team. It contained over 9,000 precious stones, took more than 700 hours to construct, and was valued at $3 million.
Tookes was the first African American Angel to wear the Fantasy Bra since Selita Ebanks in 2007. The significance was not lost on her or her fans.
What Made Her Different
In an industry that often rewards passive beauty, Tookes brought intensity. Her runway walk was deliberate and powerful. She did not float down the catwalk — she commanded it. Her fitness regimen was legendary among the Angels: she trained with a boxing coach, did Pilates six days a week, and maintained the kind of conditioning most professional athletes would respect.
She also became known for her transparency about the work behind the glamour. While other models maintained the fiction that their bodies were effortless, Tookes openly discussed her training schedule, her nutrition, and the physical demands of the Victoria's Secret show.
Beyond Victoria's Secret
After the Angel program wound down, Tookes continued building her career:
- Co-founded the fitness and lifestyle platform emphasizing strength-based beauty
- Continued editorial work with Harper's Bazaar, Vogue, and Elle
- Became an ambassador for Revlon and other luxury brands
- Maintained a strong social media presence focused on fitness and wellness
Why She Matters
Jasmine Tookes redefined what a Victoria's Secret Angel could look like. She proved that muscular definition and lingerie modeling were not contradictions — they were complementary. In doing so, she helped shift the conversation from thinness to fitness, from fragility to strength.
The $3 million Fantasy Bra was just the most visible symbol of something Tookes had been demonstrating throughout her career: that power and beauty are the same thing.
A gymnast who became an Angel. A $3 million bra that made history. Jasmine Tookes proved that strength is the ultimate luxury.