Fall into the Fantasy
Victoria’s Secret Angels are a cultural phenomenon. Whether strutting their stuff on runways, starring in provocative print campaigns, or gracing our social media feeds, these women have been our go-to symbols of beauty, fashion, and glamour for years. With that in mind, here are 10 of the best, and 10 that get more credit than they deserve.
Photobra Adam Bielawski on Wikimedia
1. Adriana Lima
Adriana Lima is often referred to as the “Queen of Victoria’s Secret” because of her stunning beauty and commanding runway presence. She became one of the brand’s most famous Angels, with an incredibly long tenure for a model. Lima’s charisma, professionalism, and signature look made her the quintessential Victoria’s Secret Angel for over 10 years.
2. Heidi Klum
Victoria's Secret supermodel Heidi Klum is one of the brand's most well-known and successful Angels to date. Klum is famous for her infectious smile and carefree attitude on the runway, as well as a balance of classic and girl-next-door beauty. In addition to modeling, Klum has built a career in television, business, and humanitarian work, becoming a household name.
3. Alessandra Ambrosio
Alessandra Ambrosio burst onto the scene with her boundless energy and magnetic charisma. In the 2000s, she became one of the brand's most influential faces, known for her effortless confidence and charm on the runway. Her radiant presence and iconic smile made her one of Victoria's Secret's most unforgettable Angels.
Joey Pasion, M.D. Original uploader was Number1spygirl at en.wikipedia on Wikimedia
4. Miranda Kerr
Miranda Kerr is a timeless beauty who is graceful, classic, and highly marketable. She helped usher Victoria's Secret into the pop-culture stratosphere, becoming one of the most instantly recognizable faces in the world. She is an icon for her poise, charm, and celebrity status, making her one of Victoria's Secret's most impactful models.
Ahmad Fauzi Abdullah on Wikimedia
5. Candice Swanepoel
Candice Swanepoel is renowned for her grace, elegance, and longevity as a Victoria's Secret Angel. She has been a prominent face in the brand's signature Fantasy Bra campaigns, solidifying her status as one of the most successful models. Swanepoel's blend of beauty, professionalism, and staying power has endeared her to fans over the years.
Photobra, Adam Bielawski on Wikimedia
6. Karlie Kloss
Karlie Kloss quickly became a fan favorite for the combination of her high-fashion credibility and Victoria's Secret runway sensuality. She is known for her alluring looks, athletic figure, and professionalism, which set her apart from the brand's other Angels. Kloss continued to build upon her popularity over time, with her charisma and versatility becoming one of the most memorable Victoria's Secret models.
7. Gisele Bündchen
World-famous supermodel Gisele Bündchen helped Victoria's Secret make a splash on the international stage, bringing more recognition to the brand as an Angel. Her beauty, confidence, and star power were unrivaled. Bündchen's runway appearances solidified Victoria's Secret as a fashion and lingerie powerhouse.
8. Joan Smalls
Joan Smalls is known for her grace, poise, and commanding runway presence as a Victoria's Secret Angel. Despite having a shorter tenure with the brand compared to some of the long-time veterans, she left a lasting impact on the runway. Smalls's sophistication and professionalism solidified her reputation as a standout model during her time with Victoria's Secret.
https://www.flickr.com/people/60877182@N00 - Christopher Macsurak - Flickr on Wikimedia
9. Behati Prinsloo
Behati Prinsloo is known for her down-to-earth beauty and playful spirit, making her one of the most relatable Victoria’s Secret Angels of all time. Off the runway, Prinsloo’s charm and warmth have captivated fans worldwide. Her blend of talent, charisma, and authenticity has endeared her to many.
10. Tyra Banks
Tyra Banks was among the first Angels to rise to supermodel status. Banks brought star power and attitude to the runway like no Angel before her. Her incredible charisma and bold confidence helped to create the modern-day perception of what a Victoria's Secret Angel should be.
Now that we’ve talked about some of the best Victoria's Secret Angels, here are 10 overrated ones.
1. Sara Sampaio
Sara Sampaio is very beautiful and a successful model outside of Victoria’s Secret, but she has not been thought of as an anchor of the brand. She is very talented and looks good in pictures, but does not define Victoria’s Secret like some of the more classic Angels have done. Sampaio’s career highlights do not include her appearances on the VS runway, as she has been able to branch out as a model for many other brands and activities.
2. Elsa Hosk
Aimed at a certain fanbase, Elsa Hosk made an impression, but her run with the company was short and her mark on the famous Angels’ history is not lasting. Loved for her walk and photogenic qualities, Hosk will not be a household name among the longer-standing Angels or Victoria's Secret fans in general. Some of Elsa Hosk's moments and career achievements would appeal more to smaller subfanbases than the overall VS history.
3. Jasmine Tookes
Jasmine Tookes is very photogenic and also displayed great runway ability, but for many, she is forgettable compared to Angels of the past, such as Adriana Lima or Alessandra Ambrosio. She is a great-looking model, and there's no denying that, but when it comes to her contribution to Victoria's Secret's image, it is small. Jasmine Tookes is a great model, but not an iconic one.
Paul John Bayfield, Timesniper.com on Wikimedia
4. Lindsay Ellingson
Lindsay Ellingson has an excellent resume of runway experience and a great reputation for being professional. The Victoria's Secret Angel is one of many who are described as "forgettable" supermodels in a lineup full of Angels who are so much larger than life. Lindsay is able, but there is no question that she did not make a major impact on the brand as a whole.
5. Kate Grigorieva
Kate Grigorieva was a short-term Victoria's Secret Angel and had a minor impact on the brand. With fewer fans and recognition, she could not make a significant mark as compared to long-standing Angels. Her role, while professional, didn't solidify a lasting legacy in Victoria's Secret history.
CHRISTOPHER MACSURAK on Wikimedia
6. Bridget Malcolm
Bridget Malcolm was known for her Victoria's Secret work, but she was never really a head-turner on the runway. Although she was a model for the brand, Malcolm is nowhere near as big of a household name as some of the Angels were. Bridget's overall legacy with Victoria's Secret was solid, but not huge.
7. Kelly Gale
Kelly Gale came to Victoria's Secret later in the brand's history and wasn't part of their more impactful era. This results in her runway work and legacy being of lesser regard when looking at the brand's best Angels. Gale was an attractive and professional model, but ultimately she never reached the level of recognition of some of the brand's top models.
Paul Bayfield at Timesniper.com on Wikimedia
8. Jac Jagaciak
Jac Jagaciak was a powerful presence on the runway. She was well-mannered and a great model, but did not make a lasting impact on the brand's identity. Jagaciak is still well known in the modeling world, but not as well remembered by the public as many other Angels.
Christopher Macsurak on Wikimedia
9. Chanel Iman
Iman has name recognition and respect in the fashion industry as a whole, but her time at VS wasn't her career-defining moment. She was professional and stylish, but her runways weren't revolutionary like some of the brand's most unforgettable Angels. Her legacy holds higher fashion sway than VS imprint.
Christopher Peterson on Wikimedia
10. Leomie Anderson
Leomie Anderson is absolutely gorgeous and has had a wonderful career outside of VS, but she was never a signature Angel. She’s one of many beautiful and successful models with some runway time that hasn’t heavily made a Victoria’s Secret historical imprint. She’s probably made more fashion history in the greater spectrum than in VS history.
