When Islamic fundamentalists get to ranting about America's moral and spiritual bankruptcy, I'm pretty sure the recently televised Victoria's Secret fashion show is the kind of thing they're talking about. Victoria's Secret Underwear Model

When the World Trade Center went down, my very first uncensored, politically oh-so incorrect thought was that in a couple months I could be running around in a veil. So I was glad to see America reaffirm its ardent commitment to maximum exposure of female flesh.

When I told Joel, my significant other, that I wanted to watch the Victoria's Secret show, he blinked a couple times, probably wondering exactly what species of extraterrestrial had just snatched the woman he woke up with that morning.

"I feel a commentary rising within me," I said, by way of explanation.

The show gets right off to a gratifyingly pornographic start. "Lock your wives and girlfriends in the attic" the emcee says before taking us on a "tour" of underwear supermodel Heidi's body. Victoria's Secret Underwear Model This tour involves rubbing his jowl against her leg. One is reminded of the old joke that a Christmas gift of sexy underwear is really a gift for the guy. This program was clearly meant for men--who can justify watching on the grounds that they're scouting for gifts.

Joel wanders off during the "Meet the Models" portion of the show--which takes up a good 20 minutes--with instructions to notify him when the girls hit the runway.

"Okay, are there any brain surgeons?" he asks, peeking his head back into the living room about a quarter past the hour.

Victoria's Secret Underwear Model Well, no, not really. They do all seem like nice girls, however, some of them painstakingly so. All of them want to be angels. They refer, of course, to the part of the show where they will don big, fluffy wings to match their bras and panties. (Wouldn't this be a more theologically correct target for a Southern Baptist boycott than Disney World?)

Though not their exact words, these are the messages I'm picking up from capsule interviews with the models:

"I work hard."

"I'm not above prancing around in my underwear in public. In fact, I'm really excited about doing this show."

"This is harder work than you might think."

Victoria's Secret Underwear Model "I'm really a nice girl."

Commercials blend so seamlessly into the show, it's nearly impossible to tell where one leaves off and the other starts. I guess this is inevitable when the show's subject and the show sponsor are one and the same. Scenes of backstage excitement, featuring girls clad in Victoria's Secret underwear, give way to a scene of a solitary girl, seated in a chair, wearing Victoria's Secret and tossing her hair around. This is, after all, the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show brought to you by Victoria's Secret. It's all one long ad. There are also a few trailers for the upcoming documentary on a super model and previews of a Barbara Walters special starring George Clooney and Julia Roberts, both of whom might as well be supermodels.

When the girls finally hit the runway in their angel ensembles, the most concealing thing they're wearing is the fur-topped boots. Fantasy is always better than reality, and here's no exception. This underwear is so much sexier than nudity would be. Strip these girls of the few wisps of clothing they're wearing, they'd loose all their sex goddess privileges. They'd look vulnerable. We'd be embarrassed--for them and for ourselves.

Victoria's Secret Underwear Model They're wearing something Boston Globe writer Tina Cassidy has calmly dubbed "corset panties". I notice one of the models tugging down on the side of this product, presumably trying to make it cover a larger stretch of flesh than it was designed for. No doubt she was rebuked backstage. No one else makes that mistake throughout the rest of the show.

There's no voice over talking about the fashions. If this were seriously a show at which affluent women look for items for their wardrobes, there would need to be some designers named, some fabrics identified. But the show is refreshingly honest in dropping that pretense. Cassidy also notes that not all the clothes you see here are off the rack at your nearest Victoria's Secret outlet. Some of the most intriguing pieces were invented specifically for the show. You may search for them in vain.

"Have you seen anyone crack a smile?" Joel asks.
"A few," I reluctantly reply. Pouting fashion models with too much attitude are one of his bugaboos. I hear a few bars of "America, the Beautiful" rendered in techno. Feathers fly during the angel sequence.

Victoria's Secret Underwear Model Okay, I can't really seem to get myself into a high feminist dudgeon about all this. The girls are well paid. Nobody's making them do this. To say their underclothes are tasteful might be a stretch, but at least they're pretty. And I don't have any problems with human body.

There are a lot of things women do for a living that are more degrading. Staying with men we don't love, for instance. Getting pinched on the butt for tips. Slaving away in offices for nearly invisible wages and even fewer thanks.

Hi Glamour readers--thanks for the warm welcome! It feels a little funny to say hello since I feel like I already know you so well--all your personal comments on my Glamour shoots were so enthusiastic and inspiring! I’m excited to be joining the Glamour fashion team at New York Fashion Week—it should be fun to have the chance to be on the other side of the runway for once!

As Cindi mentioned yesterday, while modeling is my main gig, that doesn’t mean my interests begin and end with fashion. I was inspired to write my book not only to share my story and help dispel some modeling industry myths, but also to spread the message to young women that nearly everything—from food to stress, work and fun—works best in moderation. (In fact, I recently took part in a Nightline "Face Off" panel discussion about America's complicated relationship to both dieting and obesity. The conversation will air on Monday, February 22nd in case you want to check it out!) In addition to talking about my own experience with the pressures to be thin, one of the most common questions I get asked at this sort of speaking event is what kind of advice I’d give girls or young women who are interested in the modeling industry. I usually tell them to follow their heart—but keep their wits about them and have a few trustworthy mentors on speed dial. But I also mention these little tips, all of which have helped turn a job into a career I love—and the best part is, these suggestions work whether or not your gig involves catwalks or photo shoots!

Treat every job—no matter how small—like this is your make or break moment!
Some might disagree, but I consider modeling a form of art—and especially since it's my chosen career, I take it very, very seriously. I give it my all at every shoot—it doesn’t matter if I’m wearing a pricey couture gown or jeans and a t-shirt. Like an actress on movie set, I play a personality and wear it as if it belongs to me—as if I would go get my mail wearing it. “Being one with the dress” might even be my motto!

Make sure to set aside some time for yourself.
Everyone—from young models to moms of five—knows it's hard to find a few quiet minutes for yourself, but to keep moving forward, you’ve got to stop now and then. Last night I sat in my apartment in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, wore a green mask that promised to shrink pores and combat acne while also making me resemble something that you might see on Sesame Street! I set the mood with candles (that claim to make your apartment smell like the rain forest) and listened to Abigail Washburn on my stereo. Not so bad!