15 tips for wannabe Victoria’s Secret models (according to the Angels themselves!)
While the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show may be six months away, Angels and wannabe models are in full preparation mode ahead of castings.
Watched annually by over 800 million people globally and costing around £9.2 million to put on, there's no denying that - regardless of your personal view - it's the biggest and most talked-about fashion show in the world.
But almost regardless of the 'fashion', let's face it, the ultimate joy of the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show is watching these strong, Amazonian-like women storm the catwalk.
So while we wait to be called upon to walk the shows ourselves, we interviewed some of the angels to discover the secrets behind being a Victoria's Secret model.
The lovely Candice Swanepoel, Alessandra Ambrosio and Elsa Hosk all took GLAMOUR under their wing and gave us lessons in how to fly...
Rule #1: Be confident in your undies
Duh! But don't worry, even Candice admits that she found it hard at first. "In the beginning you're not used to being in front of so many people in your lingerie, and being so exposed, but even if you're not 100% confident, just try your best to be. It really works. You see it in the final product so it's very very important to be confident."
Rule #2: Blow kisses in a really sexy way
So we don't do this all that much in real life, but on the Victoria's Secret catwalk show, it's a major move. Candice, Alessandra and Elsa all told us they don't over-think it, but Alessandra did confess that she has one particular idol. She told us: "I get inspiration from icons like Marilyn Monroe, like when she got out the car or an aeroplane or something, and she'd just blow a kiss. So that's what goes on in my mind when I do it."
Rule #3: Work with friends
The Victoria's Secret catwalk show is definitely a team sport and the VS models are all the best of friends. Candice agrees, telling us: "My Victoria's Secret friends are like my family! I see them more than my family. So that's everything. The only people that know what it's truly like is the other girls so we really find comfort in each other and help one another."
Rule #4: Strut baby, strut!
If you've watched the VS Fashion Show, you'll notice that each and every model storms down the catwalk like they own it. So do they spend hours practicing? Elsa gives us the honest answer. "It's our job to walk down the runway, so we practice it a lot. You just feel the energy and walk with the music and show your personality and have fun out there." Alessandra reckons: "It's about personality, attitude, and confidence! You've just got to do your best."
Rule #5: Earn your stripes
Becoming a Victoria's Secret model isn't easy, and Elsa confirms that. "It's such a journey getting here, some of us have been working 10-15 years as models and deal with a lot of rejection. It's a long process so finally we've arrived here and we're angels." The lesson? Don't give up on your dreams.
Rule #6: Be a little bit goofy
Act like no one's watching...
Rule #7: Be excellent at Instagram
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All the Victoria's Secret models are great at Instagram - it must be part of the job description. Do they have a favourite filter? Well, when we asked this, Candice looked quite confused, but Alessandra totally knew where we were coming from, revealing that "lo-fi" is her favourite because "it's very poppy".
Rule #8: Be a total winker
Especially when you look like this when you do it... Candice's secret? Her Max Factor Full Lash Effect mascara.
Rule #9: Don't overthink it
Candice has some wise words: "The best thing is to do what comes naturally. I always try and prepare, like 'oh, I should do this at the end', because there's that moment you need to catch the camera at the end of the runway. But it never works if I prepare, so I kind of just shake it off and do whatever I feel comes naturally."
Rule #10: Believe in yourself
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Talking of blessings, the Victoria's Secret models love going all Oprah on social media. Candice told us: "I'm a big fan of the quote - I love to save them on my Instagram. With what we do it's so important to believe in yourself because there are so many people who enjoy putting us down. You just have to learn to ignore that and be in your own zone and that's really helped me. There are so many beautiful girls in the room, you really have to find your own special thing and do that."
Rule #11: Pamper yourself
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The girls all like to get pampered pre-show. Last year, Doutzen spent her night doing a face-mask and Candice had a facial before her flight to London.
Rule #12: Eat clean and exercise. Do a lot of exercise
Oh, and it was all going so well... this being a Victoria's Secret model thing sounded quite easy. But apparently not - exercise is key, apparently. But don't worry, they don't all love it. Alessandra said: "I don't love exercise, I'm normal, I hate going to the gym, but I do it because I have to. For Victoria's Secret we have to do it. I usually like doing yoga and being outside playing sports. When it comes to the show I try to work out every day and really do lots of cardio and Pilates. I've been doing Barre classes. I try everything that I can."
Rule #13: Try and be a role model to young girls
"It's amazing to be able to have that voice," Candice said. "I hope I'm a good enough role model. I try to just live my life as a good person; I don't like to preach and say I do this and do that. I just do what feels good."
Rule #14: Don't fall over
"It's tricky when you're wearing heavy wings, and being able to carry them elegantly, but it's still a lot of fun! We get to wear huge crazy things that you would never get to wear in real life, so it's almost like theatre," Candice tells us.
Rule #15: Have fun!
How do the Victoria's Secret models look like they're having a great time, ALL of the time? Well, they check their bank balance, for one! Alessandra tells us: "When I work for Victoria's Secret, I'm doing something that I love so it's hard not to have a good time. Even if I wake up cranky, it's all I ever dreamed of, so I just crank up the music and start dancing. I'm having a great time and getting paid for it, it's a blessing."
Hmm, so there we have it, being a Victoria's Secret model looks like hard work. We might leave it to the professionals.
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