Supermodel Gisele Bundchen on stage during the Victoria’s Secret fashion show in New York.(AFP)

New York, Nov. 9 (Reuters) : The Victoria’s Secret fashion show staged an exuberant return on Wednesday evening as the lingerie retailer brought back its sexually-charged runway extravaganza for the first time in two years.

The fashion show, a multimillion dollar televised showcase of lacy titillation, was scrapped last year amid a wave of broadcasting modesty that followed singer Janet Jackson’s breast-baring Super Bowl “wardrobe malfunction”.

The show was filmed for broadcast on December 6 on CBS television, which carried the event for two years before the hiatus.

Wednesday’s event was held at the New York State Armory in Manhattan, the streets surrounding the building were packed with long lines of hopeful fans, some of whom were turned away.

The standing-room only crowd eyed celebrity supermodels, including Gisele Bundchen, Naomi Campbell, Tyra Banks and Heidi Klum (making her first appearance after giving birth), decked out in the latest over-the-top Victoria’s Secret designs.

The ramp was decorated as a holiday toy room, with giant pink teddy bears emblazoned with“Sexy Little Bear”, super-sized gift boxes, candy canes and alphabet building blocks.

The models pranced down the runway in holiday-themed lingerie that an R-rated elf might wear, such as a tiny Santa skirt with feather trim, fur-trimmed stiletto boots. Other items included a feather plume bustle, an embroidered bra and a fishnet thong with Swarovski crystals.

Unlike a typical show where models wear stony pouts, the models walking the ramp were smiling and lip-syncing to the music. They closed the show by lining up at the top of the ramp, dancing and embracing one another.

The show opened with jazz musician Chris Botti playing the trumpet. Singers Seal and Ricky Martin also performed.

The crowd cheered the musicians and supermodels, especially Heidi Klum and Tyra Banks.

The show's return comes as Victoria's Secret parent company, Limited Brands Inc, is trying to revive investor interest. Shareholders of the retailer, which also operates Bath & Body Works, Limited, and Express, have suffered a disappointing year so far.

The Columbus, Ohio-based company said earlier this week it is planning a business overhaul, which including an overhaul of its beauty products division, and introducing more high-end apparel.