For the 2016 edition of the show, which will be taking place in Paris on the 30th of November, Christmas will come early for the 18 girls that will be walking the runway for the the first time for the world’s most watched lingerie fashion show. From kiwi Georgia Fowler to it girl Bella Hadid and bombshell Irina Shayk, all new angels celebrate their castings; below, we’ll share with you everything you need to know about them!
Alanna Arrington
Born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Alanna was a basketball player and never imagine that she would work in the fashion world. Spotted by scouts Jeff and Mary Clarke (the duo who discovered Karlie Kloss), she went to a go-see, where her life as she knew it changed. “I only really thought about doing it because it was something everyone told me I would be good at, because I was tall and lean,” Arrington shared with Vogue.
With her curly hair and expressive eyebrows, Alanna is the new girl in the modelling world. At just 17 years old, she made her debut at this past season’s Fashion Week in New York, walking a number of high-profile shows. Notably, she opened for Altuzarra, and walked the catwalk for names like Diane von Furstenberg, Mulberry, and Preen by Thornton Bregazzi.
Bella Hadid
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Bella Hadid is new only to the cast of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. The 20 year old model began her career at 16, and walked the catwalk for major fashion houses like Chanel, Givenchy, Dior and Tom Ford, among many others. Bella is so pro that she was awarded ‘Model of the Year’ at the Daily Front Row’s Fashion Los Angeles Awards, and at GQ Men of the Year Awards in London.
Hadid will follow in her older sister’s footsteps this year, as Gigi walked the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show for the first time in 2015. Her boyfriend, The Weekend, will also be one of the main attractions of the Fashion Show where he is scheduled to perform. “This is the most amazing experience ever. I can’t believe I have wings. It’s surreal! It’s crazy” told her to ‘People’.
Brooke Perry
Brooke Perry is renowned by her body and curves. The blond beauty from Montana, United States, has featured in campaigns for Pink by Victoria’s Secret and appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated. She also work with brands as Target, O`Neil and Nordstrom.
Camille Rowe
Born in Paris, Rowe was discovered back in 2008 in a café in Le Marais while she was studying for her university courses. Since then, she has appeared in campaigns for Dior Homme, Chloé, H&M, Louis Vuitton, Victoria’s Secret, Gap, Abercrombie & Fitch, and Tommy Hilfiger. She also debut as a actress in the french movie “Our Day Will Come” alongside Vincent Cassel.
Camille has already photographed for numerous Victoria’s Secret campaigns, but this will be the model’s first time on the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show catwalk. “Dude, it’s so crazy. You know how they walk the runway then when they get to the end they draw an air heart or blow a kiss? I’m thinking, ‘Oh my god, what am I going to do at the end of the runway?’ I’m nervous, but very honored!” She shared with Marie Claire.
Dilone
Mary Janice Dilone — who goes by her last name alone — is the 21-year-old beauty from Long Island who took the fashion world by storm when she walked in Bottega Veneta’s autumn/winter 16 menswear show. But her journey hasn’t been easy: “I knew that modeling was what I wanted to do, so I wasn’t really discovered in the typical meaning of the word. Instead, a friend introduced me to a photographer who introduced me to Muse Management. I did some work with them, but it wasn’t really the right fit so I took a break. Then I signed with DNA Models last Fall and since then everything has been amazing”, told her to ‘CR Fashion Book’.
Now, she has an impressive portfolio of campaigns, including those from the likes of Coach, Balmain and Versace and, in a few days, she will add Victoria’s Secret Show to her portfolio. “What in the world!!!!!!!! This goofball has some exciting news to share! This ones for the outcasts that get told they can’t do something, be someone, go somewhere because they’re just a little different. I’m so so happy to announce that I will be a part of the 2016 VS FASHION SHOW!!!! Never in a million years did I think this would be happening! So unbelievable, fun and something I’ve never done before!!! Ahhhhhhhh!!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH! I am so honored to be a part of this!”
Georgia Fowler
Born in Auckland, New Zealand, Fowler was scouted at just 13 when she went along to a go-see with her sister, Kate, who is also a model. The 24-year-old has modeled for many NZ and Aussie designers, but got her big international break walking on the Chanel runway in 2013. She has also had her name throw in the spotlight after rumours of an affair with both Harry Styles and Leonardo DiCaprio swirled.
She has worked as model for Pink by Victoria’s Secret for years, and now for first time, she’ll crossover to the catwalk. “I can’t contain my excitement any longer. I am confirmed for Victoria Secret Fashion Show! Thank you for making my dream come true. Means the world to me,” she posted on her Instagram.
Grace Elizabeth
Born in North Florida, Grace Elizabeth made a name for herself as a Guess girl before making the transition to runway model. Her debut was on the Miu Miu Fall 2016 runway, and has become unstoppable since then — she has the unique ability to be a perfect fit for everything and everywhere, from bombshell cover spreads to quintessentially slim and stern looks on the catwalk.
In a recent Instagram post, full of tears, she shared that she will be making her dream come true as a model and walk in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. “I’m walking in the 2016 VICTORIA’S SECRET SHOW! I honestly can’t believe this moment is real. When I first went in to my agency before I even signed, they asked me my goal and I told them…I want to walk for Victoria Secret. At the time I laughed about it I never knew I would go this far. Thank you @ed_razek @johndavidpfeiffer for this insane opportunity, I won’t let you down!!! I never knew I could cry so much yet smile so big!”, she shared.
Herieth Paul
Born in Tanzania and raised in Ottawa, Paul wasn’t thinking about modelling when she first responded to an open casting call in Ottawa at the young age of 14; she wanted to be a actress. “And then I went to the open call and the agent said: ‘Wow, you would make a great model’ and I was too shy to say anything.”, remembered her in a interview to ‘CBC News‘.
The agent proved right, as she has walked for Tom Ford, Calvin Klein, and Roberto Cavalli to name a few, and she is now prepareing herself to be in Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. “I’m so thrilled to announce that I will be walking in this year’s Victoria’s Secret Fashion show In Paris!!!”, she wrote on her Instagram account.
Irina Shayk
It’s not yet confirmed yet, but evidence points to Russian model Irina Shayk walking the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show for the first time: recently, a video of the new class of 2016 went up on the VS Instagram account, featuring a slew of 2016 first-timers talking about their Halloween superstitions. Hiding among the officially confirmed Bella Hadid and Georgia Fowler is none other than Irina Shayk.
The 30 year old model is only new to the catwalk of Victoria’s Secret; In 2007, she became the exclusive contracted face of Intimissimi lingerie and made her first appearance in the famed Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. She was also ranked as the seventh model in the world according to models.com, and is considered one of the sexiest woman alive.
“I feel most sexy when everything comes together! I like to maintain myself by going to the gym, I love the gym. I also feel most confident when I feel most beautiful inside – it shows on the outside! If I don’t feel like putting on makeup to leave the house, I just add a slick of lipstick to make myself feel sexy.”, she told Glamour.
Jourdana Elizabeth
Jourdana Elizabeth made her debut walking for Yves Saint Laurent’s fashion show in Paris just a few months ago, and now this ‘new face’ is going to be in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.
Keke Lindgard
Katelin “Keke” Lindgard was born in Hawaii, and at 22, has fronted campaigns for D&G and DKNY and walked the runway at Prada, Miu Miu, Louis Vuitton, Hermès and Céline. In a few months, she can add the Victoria’s Secrets Fashion Show to that list, which is a dream to her.
“I’m still in complete shock and can’t believe my dreams are coming true!! I’m so excited to say I’ll be walking the 2016 Victoria Secret Fashion Show in Paris!! Thanks to @johndavidpfeiffer@ed_razek @10magazine and Monica Mitro for making this little Hawaiian girls dreams come true!! Can’t wait to rock it!”, the model gushed on Instagram.
Lais Oliveira
Brazilian bombshell Lais Oliveira was sitting with her mother at São Paulo Fashion Week when an agent spotted her in the crowd and later offered the 13-year-old her first modeling gig. Nowadays, at 27, she’s a pro, and has been featured in campaigns for labels such as Lacoste, Norma Kamali, and Abercrombie & Fitch.
Despite her impressive experience, Lais confesses to being nervous about her debut on the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show runway. “Actually it was my dream, because I grew up watching. I was 13 years old, and I saw, like, big beautiful Angels walking with wings, and I was like, ‘Oh my God! This is so beautiful! I want to be there!” The model shared with Fox News Magazine.
Lameka Fox
Born in Washington DC, Fox was signed as model a mere two days after being discovered through an Instagram scouting campaign. “I didn’t realize that other girls had Instagram profiles dedicated to it. I just hashtagged three pictures where I looked the most natural and wasn’t wearing really any makeup,” Fox remembers in an interview with Vogue.
Less than 24 hours later, a representative from IMG contacted Fox through Instagram to ask for more photos. Within two days, Fox headed to New York City, was signed, and made her debut on the Marc Jacobs resort 2016 few months later. Last than one year into her career, she has been cast for Victoria`s Secret Fashion Show and has worked with brands like Valentino and Burberry. The model shared, “I can’t believe it I’ve been dreaming about this since I was a little girl. This is such an incredible feeling I am on cloud nine right now thank you so much.”
Luma Grothe
Born in Brazil but with Japanese, African and German backgrounds, Luma Grothe has an exotic beauty that everyone loves to talk about. She starts her career at 16 and has worked with labels like Burberry, Versace and Dolce & Gabbana.
At 21, she is a brand ambassador for L’Oréal Paris and Paco Rabanne Fragrances. “I’M COMING! Victoria’s Secret 2016 Paris! THANK YOU! MERCI ! OBRIGADA! I can’t stop thinking about how much fun we are going to have in Paris”, the model celebrated on Instagram.
Maggie Laine
Discovered via Facebook by photographer Sammie Saxon, Maggie Laine is only 19 years old and has already work with renowned designers like Stella McCartney, Miu Miu and Jean Paul Gaultier. In an interview with Vogue Italia about three years ago, Maggie shared that her dream was “to walk the runway for Victoria’s Secret,” which she can finally celebrate now.
“So, last night I got the most amazing news of my life. I’M WALKING THE VICTORIA SECRET 2016 FASHION SHOW IN PARIS!! I couldn’t be more happy then I am in this moment. Well, actually I’ll be happier once my heels hit the stage. But I just want to thank my awesome team @meansss@globalmanagement101 @imgmodels @theantoneolee With out you guys none of this would have ever happened. By pushing me and giving me nothing but love, motivation, and always believing in me. Thank you @johndavidpfeiffer @ed_razek for casting me in the most amazing show of the year. Literally can’t thank you guys enough. Lastly, I want to thank my biggest fans @ronnievitelli @jennylaines you guys made me and have raised me to be the woman I am today. Have never doubted me and have always been my back bone. Hold it down in GA!! Love you all! WE DID IT!!! -Mags”.
Megan Williams
Born in England, Megan Williams was discovered at age 14 while eating a hamburger, no less! “I was in my local hometown of Surrey, just outside of London, and I was actually eating at McDonald’s at the time. Someone came over to me and he said, ‘Would you like to join our little fashion show in the hometown mall?’ So I just went along and did it,” the now mega-model remembers in an interview with Fox News Magazine.
Six years later, she has worked for Guess and Victoria’s Secret, and walked for Ralph Lauren, Cushnie et Ochs and Norma Kamali, to name a few. “Literally how I’m feeling, can’t take the smile off my face. Is this real!? #VSFashionShow#VSFSParis2016 thank you to everyone who made it happen… it’s honestly my dream come true! @ed_razek @johndavidpfeiffer @10magazine and #MonicaMitro im one lucky girl”, she wrote on her Instagram.
Xiao-Wen Ju
Ju started her modeling career in China, catching the international fashion world’s attention after posing on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar China, where she appeared alongside other Chinese top models. She entered the New York fashion scene in 2010, and became the first Chinese model to be the face of a Marc Jacobs campaign. She’s also been seen on the catwalks of Prada and Hermès.
On her Instagram page, she celebrated the cast to Victoria`S Secrets Fashion Show: “THANK YOU !! THANK YOU !!AND THANK YOU MAKE my DREAM comes TRUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE my @imgmodels family told me in this way .. and it was super awesome to meet this amazing team”.
Zuri Tibby
Tibby was discovered at a mall in Florida at the age of 15. She start her career on Teen Vogue magazines covers, and this year, become the first black spokesmodel for PINK by Victoria’s Secret. “I feel very proud and honored that a lot of other women of color look up to me. It’s so important to inspire people. When young girls look at magazines and advertisements, it’s important to see girls that look like them. It’s very encouraging,” she shared with Cosmopolitan.
Tibby has also worked with Rihanna on her Stance campaign, and is celebrating the accomplishment of one of her dreams. “I’m sooooo happy to announce i am walking in my FIRST Victoria`s secret fashion show!! Words can’t describe how I am feeling and how excited I am!!! Thank you all for your endless support and for believing in me! Can’t wait to be in paris!!!”, she posted on Instagram.
