Victoria’s Secret: The snow is fake

Winter returned to Aspen this week, turning select spots into a wintery streetscape where impossibly tall, thin women struck seductive poses.Victoria’s Secret models – clad not in lingerie (sorry, guys), but next season’s winter line – have been posing for photo shoots around Aspen. Thursday morning, passersby discovered a snowy scene outside the Aspen Block building on the Hyman Avenue mall, thanks to mattress batting covering the bricks and biodegradable, potato-based fluff coating several storefronts. A willowy blonde showed off a pink jacket with a fur-lined hood, among other samples of outerwear.

“Only in Aspen can we have snow in June,” joked Liz Long of Aspen Productions, which was producing the shoot for a Victoria’s Secret catalog.On Wednesday, the crew was at work outside Little Annie’s Eating House and Pomeroy Sports. Thursday afternoon, the crew was headed for the Sundeck atop Aspen Mountain for a backdrop of snowcapped peaks of the authentic variety.

The city charged a $5,000 refundable fee for use of the mall, to be returned if nothing is damaged, plus a $400 fee for use of the public rights of way and fees for blocking parking spaces with equipment vehicles and a motor home.The businesses that are the backdrop for the photographs received no compensation other than the exposure that comes with an appearance in the Victoria’s Secret catalog, according to Long.

“We want to develop a reputation as a great place to do film and catalog and commercial shoots,” said Linda Gerdenich, the city’s director of community relations.Janet Urquhart’s e-mail address is janet@aspentimes.com