The world is full of beautiful people. But being sexy dwarfs beauty — it is more than just a pretty face or nice physique. When you look at the Sexiest Girls we have chosen, you see a common factor: they all own their sexuality. There will always be critics, but being sexy is about having the cheers of admiration drown the whispers of jealousy.
So each week, let FIB give you a glimpse into our upcoming book, TOP MODELS Volume 63 — Sexiest Girls. Be warned, though: some of these women can make Kate Moss jealous.
You know you’re doing something right as a model when by the age of 30, you’ve been in more than five Victoria’s Secret Fashion Shows and continue to model, even after two pregnancies. Add that she holds the record for appearing on the most VOGUE covers in a month – four! – and you can see why we think Doutzen Kroes is one of the Sexiest Girls.
Kroes was born 23 January, 1985 in Eastermar, Netherlands. Upon graduating high school, she signed with Amsterdam-based modelling agency Paparazzi, before walking the catwalk for exclusive labels including Christian Dior, John Galliano and Louis Vuitton. She had similarly successful stints with campaigns, appearing for the likes of Gucci, Versace and Neiman Marcus in the following years.
In 2005, aged 19, Kroes featured on her first magazine cover, this being the W Holiday Jewelry edition of VOGUE Italia. That same year, she followed in the footsteps of Dutch fashion royals Karen Mulder and Yfke Sturm, as she walked her first VS Fashion Show. This would be her first of eight Fashion Shows, six of which were as an Angel.
Interestingly, Kroes often had difficulties fitting into the sample dresses for shows due to her naturally wide hips. However, appearing in high-end shows and globally-recognised covers highlights her ability to cultivate a unique image that defies industry norms, as well as the idea that being sexy isn’t simply conforming to a template.
In 2008, Kroes had begun her meteoric rise to fashion’s highly-coveted peak – she received her wings. While becoming an Angel doesn’t categorically make someone sexy, it’s the closest thing to a prerequisite. You see, all past and present Angels – from Heidi Klum to Tyra Banks, Gisele Bündchen to Lindsay Ellingson – rise above your ordinary model. And so Kroes fulfils these criteria: her unorthodox curves convey a maternal femininity rarely seen in the industry, while her wide lips and blue eyes allow her to manipulate photos to her liking.
Having established herself as an Angel and global phenomenon, Kroes’ amazing figure and sparkling profile where everywhere. In 2012, she was one of the models in VS’ Deck the Halls video, as well as featuring in Tiffany & Co.’s Holiday Spring/Summer campaign. For Fall/Winter, Kroes shot for Equipment and Fashion’s Night Out. 2012 was also one of the first years Kroes began to feature regularly on global magazine covers. That year, she was on the cover for VOGUE Paris (April), VOGUE China (June) and VOGUE Netherlands (December).
However, a year later, things could not be more different. In 2013, Kroes featured on the cover of more than ten – yes, ten! – magazines. These were: VOGUE Germany (March), VOGUE Korea (March), VOGUE Japan (April), VOGUE Netherlands (June), GQ Turkey (July), ELLE France (August), VOGUE China (September), VOGUE Netherlands (September), VOGUE España (September), VOGUE Italia (September), ELLE Portugal (December), ELLE Norway (December) and Sunday Times Style (December). It is important to note the four VOGUE magazine covers in September, which is a record, indicative of her sexiness and overall status as an industry icon.
2013 was also a busy year for campaigns. Being an Angel, Kroes featured in the VS video, VS Swim 2013 Bikinis and Bruno Mars. On top of this, she started her year-round contract with L’Oreal, starring in their advertisements for the Colour Riche Privee Collection, L’Oreal Preference Spring/Summer campaign. For Spring/Summer, Kroes was also used by Bruno Magli and Tiffany & Co; while in Fall/Winter, she shot for Emilio Pucci.
Kroes’ hectic schedule continued into 2014 as there were more covers to follow. In that year, Kroes fronted the covers of ELLE Netherlands (January), Vanity Fair (February), ELLE Ukraine (February), GQ South Africa (February), VOGUE Turkey (March), VOGUE Netherlands (April), Glamour Deutschland (May), ELLE South Africa (May), VOGUE Japan (June) and Allure Russia (July).
While things were not as busy on the campaign front, Kroes’ consistent presence in the industry should be regarded as a herculean effort, particularly when considering that she balanced the rigours of pregnancy with her equally-taxing job. And so, for 2014, the campaigns Kroes took part in were: L’Oreal Les Huiles Make Up Fall/Winter, Calvin Klein’s fragrance, Reveal, and L’Oreal Spring/Summer.
Most recently, in 2015, Kroes has returned to the disciplined chaos that comes with being a model. In terms of magazine covers, she was in those for Glamour Netherlands (February), Woman (February), WSJ Women’s Style (March), VOGUE Netherlands (March), Twin (Spring/Summer), ELLE France (June), Marie Claire Netherlands (July).
2015 was also one of Kroes’ busiest years. It is no surprise, as her years as a VS model had established her as a globally recognised figure. So in her first post-VS year, Kroes did shoots for H&M Fall/Winter and Spring/Summer collection, Tiffany & Co. Fall, L’Oreal Age Perfect, L’Oreal Paris L’Extraordinaire, L’Oreal COLOR RICHE Spring, Reveal by CK and VS’ Valentine’s Day Superbowl ad. While all these ads are significant, it’s important to note the variety of products. On one hand, there is the elegance of L’Oreal; while on the other, casual labels like H&M show Kroes’ ability to transform her look depending on the circumstance — a trate that proves sexiness is as malleable as it is rare.
Of course, part of being sexy entails the physical attributes. But there are others, which are perhaps more telling than the physical. All the women in this Series have been active in philanthropy, indicative of their compassionate confidence, and Kroes is no different. In 2011, as the ambassador for the not-for-profit dance4life, she teamed up with A | X Armani Exchange to design a t-shirt where 100% of the profits would go to dance4life. As of 2015, Kroes is still an ambassador for dance4life, which combats AIDS through educational song and dance.
In 2012, Kroes, along with VS models Erin Heatherton, Lindsay Ellingson, Arlenis Sosa and Behati Prinsloo hosted the second annual Supermodel Cycle. The event raised funds for The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center. Kroes also attended two star-studded amfAR Galas, in 2013 and 2015, supporting the AIDS-fighting charity.
As mentioned earlier, Kroes is a mother to two children, Myllena Mae and Phyllon. As well as this, her husband, compatriot Sunnery James, is a DJ signed by Armada Trice.
With Kroes only 30, the future bears acreage of fruit for the talented Dutchwoman, who has successfully continued her career, post-VS. Exciting times are upon us . . .
Keep an eye out for FIB’s upcoming book, TOP MODELS Volume 63 – Sexiest Girls . . .
