Since the debut of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in 1995, becoming a Victoria’s Secret Angel has marked a turning point in the careers of numerous supermodels like Tyra Banks, Gisele Bündchen, and Heidi Klum.
Being named an Angel was seen as a significant achievement. But what does this title actually mean?
These models landed a substantial contract with the lingerie brand, positioning them as the stars of its annual Fashion Show and leading figures in its marketing campaigns and commercials.
In 2021, the brand retired the term Angel in lieu of the VS Collective. Despite this, we will never forget these 15 iconic beauties who have worn wings.
Famous Victoria’s Secret Angels
Stephanie Seymour
The incomparable Stephanie Seymour was one of the very first Angels from 1997 until 2000. Outside of her work with the company, the brunette landed advertisements with leading labels such as Versace, Estee Lauder, and Revlon.
In 2017, she launched her own lingerie line, Raven & Sparrow made for a luxury consumer base.
Candice Swanepoel
Candice Swanepoel was named a Victoria’s Secret Angel in 2010, and this South African beauty became one of the most popular. She covered the swim catalogue three years in a row, and wore the Fantasy Bra at the 2013 show. The blonde models more than just lingerie though.
Candice has worked with some of the industry’s top photographers, such as Steven Meisel, Mert & Marcus, and Patrick Demarchelier. She also graced covers for international versions of Vogue, including French, Italian, and Japanese editions.
Alessandra Ambrosio
Brazilian beauty Alessandra Ambrosio became a Victoria’s Secret Angel in 2004. She was the first face of Victoria’s Secret’s PINK line, which is geared toward younger customers.
The model also worked with high fashion brands such as Dolce & Gabbana, Armani Exchange, and Ralph Lauren. The mother of two designs as well, debuting her swimwear line GAL Floripa in 2019.
Adriana Lima
Another Brazilian stunner, Adriana Lima, is the longest-running Angel, working with Victoria’s Secret since 1999 until she retired in 2018. The brunette beauty worked with some of the industry’s leading photographers.
Those include Mert & Marcus, Ellen von Unwerth, and Steven Meisel. She fronted ads for brands like Miu Miu, Guess, and Givenchy.
Taylor Hill
American model Taylor Hill signed a Victoria’s Secret contract in 2015, and the time spent quickly parlayed her into superstardom. Soon afterwards Taylor would also land lucrative contracts with Lancome and L’Oreal Professionnel.
The top model went on to grace the covers of magazines such as Vogue UK, Glamour France, and V Magazine.
Helena Christensen
Danish beauty Helena Christensen was one of the original VS Angels to appear in television spots during the 1990s. She also starred in catalog work and advertisements for the lingerie brand.
Outside of fashion, she is most well-known for starring in a music video for Chris Isaak’s 1989 song, ‘Wicked Game’. After covering numerous publications, the supermodel also went on to become a fashion photographer.
Gisele Bundchen
Gisele Bundchen walked the Victoria’s Secret runway starting in 1999 and left the brand in 2006. One of the most popular Angels, the blonde personifies the word supermodel. Gisele appeared in campaigns for Chanel, Roberto Cavalli, and Versace.
The mom of two has landed on top of the Forbes’ Highest Paid Models List through the years. Her lucrative business ventures have included a beauty, lingerie, and clothing line.
Miranda Kerr
Australian model Miranda Kerr worked as a Victoria’s Secret Angel from 2007 to 2013. Since leaving the brand, this brunette beauty has fronted Prada, Louis Vuitton, and Jil Sander campaigns. Miranda’s covers include titles such as Vogue Italia, GQ UK, and Elle US.
Kerr started a successful beauty brand named Kora Organics, which features all-natural products. The brunette stunner married Snapchat co-founder Evan Spiegel in 2017.
Heidi Klum
German beauty Heidi Klum strutted on the Victoria’s Secret catwalk before becoming a television icon on shows such as Project Runway and America’s Got Talent.
Named an Angel in 1997, she had an impressive thirteen-year run until she retired from the runway in 2010. She is also business-minded, launching her own swimwear and lingerie companies for women.
Jasmine Tookes
American stunner Jasmine Tookes has worked with the brand since 2012 but signed a contract in 2015. In 2016, she became the third Black model to wear the VS Fashion Show’s Fantasy Bra.
Jasmine also landed the covers of magazines such as ELLE US, Vogue Spain, and Harper’s Bazaar Vietnam. Today, she has an activewear company called JoJa co-founded with Josephine Skriver.
Behati Prinsloo
Model Behati Prinsloo became the face of Pink in 2008 and then landed a contract as a Victoria’s Secret Angel in 2009. She married the frontman of Maroon 5, Adam Levine, and the two have three children together.
The Namibian model starred in campaigns for brands such as H&M, Chanel, Nina Ricci, and Tommy Hilfiger. Her covers include titles like Elle France and i-D.
Doutzen Kroes
Dutch model Doutzen Kroes started her career in high fashion, fronting campaigns for brands like Versace, Valentino, and Gucci. The blonde beauty began her work with Victoria’s Secret in 2004 and became an Angel in 2008.
She left in late 2015 after seven years with the brand. Doutzen also posed for multiple Vogue covers, including the German, French, and Italian editions. A face of L’Oreal Paris, she went on to design her own lingerie and swimsuit collections.
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley
British stunner Rosie Huntington-Whiteley started working for the lingerie brand in 2006. Named a Victoria’s Secret Angel in 2009, she ended her contract in 2011. Rosie went on to star in campaigns for Burberry, Tiffany & Co., and Valentino.
She also covered fashion glossies such as Vogue UK, Vogue Spain, and Glamour. Rosie had acting roles in films such as ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ and ‘Transformers: Dark of the Moon’. The blonde currently designs a lingerie, beauty, and swimwear line for Autograph by Marks and Spencer.
Tyra Banks
She is most well-known for creating the reality competition show “America’s Next Top Model”, but Tyra Banks was one of the original Victoria’s Secret Angels starting in 1997.
The model retired from the VS catwalk in 2005 and went on to host her own talk show. Tyra launched her own cosmetics line, TYRA Beauty, in 2014. She became the host of ‘America’s Got Talent’ in 2017. Tyra also starred on covers for magazines like American Harper’s Bazaar, GQ, and Sports Illustrated: Swimsuit Edition.
Karolina Kurkova
Czech model Karolina Kurkova became a VS Angel in 2006, first appearing in the 2000 show at 16. She left the brand in 2009. She also landed campaigns for labels like Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and Max Mara.
