Meet the new faces that will be standing alongside the beloved Angels, and adding to the cast’s glorious diversity at this years’ Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show…
Sixty-one beauties make up the ladies that will walk the pink runway of this year’s Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in Shanghai. Along with many returning models are a number of fresh faces taking on the prestigious runway for the first time. Here is everything you need to know about the 17 new girls joining the show this year.
Estelle Chen
Born in China and raised in France, Estelle Chen launched her modeling career in Paris at the age of 14 when she was scouted by an agency. She had developed a love of fashion early, growing up in and around her parents’ clothing shop, and being a model was a dream for both her and her mother.
For Chen, being part of the Victoria’s Secret show is a personal and cultural triumph: “I think Victoria’s Secret is amazing because they have such a diverse cast” (Chen told WWD’s Tiffany Ap). The support for Chen has been overwhelming, with the fresh-faced beauty gaining 10,000 followers on social media.
Xin Xie
Xin Xie has been taking the modeling world by storm, especially in China where she has modeled in editorials for just about every high-profile fashion magazine including Cosmopolitan, Grazia, Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire, T Magazine, and Elle.
A student of fashion design, she had a full fall/winter season last year modeling for Miu Miu and Giambattista Valli haute couture and this year she modeled a lookbook for Zara.
Alexina Graham
Known for her smouldering stare, slender frame, and flaming red hair, English model Alexina Graham began her career in 2008 walking the Fall shows for Alice Ritter, Margane Le Fay, Alice + Olivia, and No-Be by Victorya Hong. She has walked for Vivienne Westwood, Etam, and Jean Paul Gautier and appeared in ad campaigns for Burberry, Sportmax Code, Brooks Brothers and L’Oreal.
Being on the Victoria’s Secret runway is a personal achievement for her, as she’ll be the first redhead to appear on the Victoria’s Secret runway since Karen Elson in 2001 and says that becoming an angel is egg on the face of her school bullies.
Gizele Oliveira
This Brazilian beauty is no stranger to the runway, having walked for Polo Ralph Lauren, Lela Rose, Tory Burch, and more. This year she was on the catwalks in Paris -modelling Etam, Elie Saab, and Akris- and New York -modelling Rebecca Minkoff, KITH, Cushnie et Ochs, and John Paul Ataker- for Fashion Week and named one of 15 Brazilian Models You Need to Follow on Instagram.
She is also the blogger behind Gizele On the Go, which covers all things fashion, beauty, and travel promoting her passion for the beach and her knowledge of exotic places.
Mayowa Nicholas
Three years ago Nigerian model Mayowa Nicholas was spotted by modeling scouts on her way to a saloon and she has been slaying runways ever since.
At just 18, she has become the first Nigerian model featured in a Dolce & Gabbana campaign, has been named by Vogue amongst the 15 new faces that ruled Fall 2016, and along with Dolce & Gabbana has walked the runway for Fendi, Dior, Hermes, Balmain, Prada, and Calvin Klein.
If she weren’t modelling, she’d be at college studying financial accounting with a goal to become a chartered account.
Vanessa Moody
Born in Mississippi, Vanessa Moody had never considered becoming a model. Her career began as something to do after graduating high school.
After attending an open call in Dallas, she was signed by Women’s Management and, at 19, has held the spotlight opening shows for Alexander Wang and Balenciaga, and appearing in nearly 50 runways shows this season.
Describing her personal style as “classy”, “simple”, and “modern”, Moody has said that her favourite city to shop in is Paris -for the vintage-, but she tends to splurge in New York.
Julia Belyakova
Wide-eyed Russian model Julia Belyakova is certainly no stranger to the industry, having been featured in the pages of Elle and glided down the catwalks for the likes of Gucci, Kate Spade, and Marc Jacobs.
A morning person, her routine begins with getting out of bed and then doing yoga and meditation before she has her first cup of coffee.
When asked who she admires she says that her “mother is her main hero” and being on the Victoria’s Secret catwalk is still proving astounding as she never expected to be a simple girl from Russia, to turn around and suddenly be papped.
Aiden Curtis
The daughter of Katoucha “The Peul Princess” Niane, one of the most acclaimed models of all time, 19 year-old Aiden Curtis comes from pure modeling pedigree and grew up between two of the world’s biggest fashion capitals: London and New York.
Having walked the runways for the likes of Miu Miu, Off-White, Versace, and Bottega Veneta, her love for modelling comes second to her passion for producing music. She has said that, “in a perfect world” she’d “be a producer and a DJ”.
Alecia Morais
Hailing form Cape Verde Alecia Morais has walked the runway in over two dozen shows for such high-fashion names as Louis Vuitton, Dior, and Chanel.
She has dreamed of being a model ever since being a little girl flicking through glossy magazine pages and thinking that, one day, she’d be there.
But of her love of fashion is not the only thing that drives her. “I’ve always had other interests and hobbies, which I think are essential to lead a balanced and serene life” (she told Sola Ray). Alongside fashion her interests include medicine, dancing, being with friends, and working out.
Amilna Estevao
Beginning her modeling career at the age of 14, when she won the trophy and a contract in Angola’s Elite Model Look contest, Amilna Estevao has walked in high-profile runway shows including Givenchy and Lanvin, worked with photographers such as Craig McDean and Daniel Jackson, and has made it onto models.com’s ‘Hot List’.
At 16, She says the first job that made her feel like she’d made it as a model was the cover for the New York Times’ T magazine in 2015, photographed by Craig McDean.
Dasha Khlystun
Ukrainian beauty Dasha Khlystun has walked for such designers as Michael Kors, Yves Saint Laurent, and Hermes. Discovered through social media, she broke out into the spotlight this Spring/Summer season walking the runways for Kenzo, Hermes, Givenchy, Stella McCartney, Missoni, Versace, Fendi, and snagging the opening spot at Chloe.
Her current career highlight is walking for the Dior show in Paris and her dream shoot would be Givenchy, shot by Nick Knight, and for Riccardo Tisci to be there. She says if she weren’t modeling, she’d love to pursue a career in law, as her parents had wanted her to.
Frida Aaesen
Norwegian model Frida Aaeson is no stranger to the runway or Victoria’s Secret, having already modeled in a photo campaign for the brand as well as Tory Burch and H&M and walked in shows for Prada and Louis Vuitton.
She was discovered at the age of 16 while Christmas shopping with her sister, but was hesitant and rejected the idea of being a model for two years. Now look at her!
In 2013 she was labeled a ‘face to watch’ by Vogue and says that the craziest shoot she’s done was when she was photographed with a monkey on her head.
Grace Bol
Scouted at the age of 19 while shopping in her local Kansas mall, South Sudanese model Grace Bol quickly captured attention with her unique dark skin, height, and short hair. Since moving to New York she has walked for international labels such as Marc Jacobs, Maison Martin Margiele, and Hermes.
Having grown up in a war-torn country, Bol wishes to utilise the platform that modeling offers as one of activism and she has hosted talks on positive activism paths within the fashion industry: “right now, in my position, I can send a good message to people and it will reach them. It’s a good place for me” (Bol told Dazed).
Nadine Leopold
Austrian bombshell Nadine Leopold shot to fame when she began a relationship with One Direction’s Harry Styles, but she’s no stranger to the camera or the runway. She began her modeling career at 16 when she was discovered by a scout from Tempo Modeling.
She has been the face of the 2011 summer campaign for Austrian radio station O3, modeled for such popular brands as H&M, Mango, Garnier, and Vero Moda, and in 2013 she became the first Austrian Victoria’s Secret Model.
Roosmarjin de Kok
Dutch beauty Roosmarjin de Kok has come from humble beginnings in Holland to the middle of New York City.
Discovered via Skype, she has modeled for the likes of H&M, Nasty Gal, and Victoria’s Secret Pink, done shows in Paris, New York, London, and Australia, and has over 150k followers on Instagram.
A firm believer that every women should take pride in her body, when she’s not on a runway or in front of a camera, she’s either doing pilates or at the park reading a book.
Samile Bermannelli
18 year-old Brazilian beauty Samile Bermannelli stepped into the spotlight with a very full season of runway shows last year, walking for major houses including Kenzo, Valentino, Emporio Armani, and Alberta Ferretti.
She was discovered when she entered a local contest in her hometown of Salvador and her career highlight to date has been walking in her first fashion week in Paris this year.
Away from the catwalk, she’s likely to be found exploring the city, galleries, and museums, taking in all the culture she can.
Victoria Lee
Australian model Victoria Lee is best known as a Brand Ambassador for Org: a campaign to support the Elephant Crisis Fund, but she’s also recognized for her slim, lengthy figure, wide-set eyes and symmetrical face.
Hailing from the rural town of Narrandera in New South Wales, she started her career at the Priscillas Sydney modeling agency and has appeared in Harper’s Bazaar and Vanity Fair as well as international editions of Vogue, Glamour, and Elle. She has also appeared in campaigns for such popular brands as DKNY and Armani Exchange and has -being a proud supporter of Australia fashion- become the face of Seafolly.
Who were you expecting to don the coveted wings this year? Are these 17 long-legged newcomers worthy contenders, or VS pretenders? We want to know what you think! Catch the 21st annual Victoria’s Secret Fashion show on November 28th.