Nearly four decades into her catwalk career, Carla Bruni is getting her wings.
The 56-year-old model, musician and former first lady of France is set to strut her stuff in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show Tuesday night — marking her first “and probably last” appearance in the iconic lingerie extravaganza, as she joked to Page Six Style backstage.
“At my age?!” Bruni said with a laugh. “It’s very exciting and it’s very overwhelming, really. Because, you know, no one gets used to being on a runway no matter how long [they’ve been doing it].”
The Italian-French beauty began modeling in 1987, when she was just 19, and has worked with top fashion houses like Chanel, Versace, Dior, Givenchy and Saint Laurent over the years. Still, she says, there was something extra special about getting a call from Victoria’s Secret.
“It’s good fun to become an Angel. I’m going to have wings!” the “Quelqu’un m’a dit” singer told us.
“My only regret is that my husband is not here. He would have had a heart attack!” she added, referring to ex-French president Nicolas Sarkozy.
While Victoria’s Secret models were once famous for their intense pre-show diet and exercise regimens, Bruni said she didn’t change much about her day-to-day to prep for her turn on the runway.
“At 56 years old … you have to have much more of a sober life,” she explained. “I don’t drink much — maybe once a month. [It’s about] sleeping better and a lot of exercise.”
Bruni keeps it similarly simple when it comes to skincare, and swears by a few French pharmacy favorites.
“My favorite beauty products are [those] with not much scent, because I have allergies,” she said. “I use Avène, the Hydrance [line]. The Cold Cream is good, too, to get rid of makeup.”
On the “more expensive” side, she’s also an Augustinus Bader fan, with both The Rich Cream and The Body Oil in her everyday arsenal.
Avène Hydrance Aqua-Gel
Augustinus Bader The Body Oil
“It’s just amazing,” Bruni raved of the latter. “It really moisturizes your skin and if you put it on before your moisturizer, it keeps you moist for 24 hours — even if you’re on a flight! It’s wonderful.”
And while her catwalk cameos are fewer and further between these days, Bruni told us her favorite pre-show “ritual” is simply spending time catching up with her fellow models backstage.
“Being with the team is wonderful — chatting, laughing,” she shared. “That’s the nice thing about fashion: It’s a group job!”
The 2024 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show airs live on Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. ET across Victoria’s Secret’s Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, and on Amazon Live.