Learn How to Become a Victoria’s Secret Model
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Men want them, women want to be them – Victoria’s Secret Angels.
Although people often think it is an easy job, filled with nothing but drinking champagne at parties in fancy designer clothes, we have tried to see what is happening behind the scenes.
What do you have to give up in life in order to become the girl wearing giant feather wings, confidently walking down the catwalk?
We have done some research and found that being Victoria’s Secret model is not nearly as easy as it sounds – here are some ground rules, and they are pretty strict!
1. YOU HAVE TO BE AN ADULT
First of all, you have to be at least eighteen years old. However, keep in mind that, being the most important lingerie company, they are pretty demanding, so “Cosmopolitan” advises all wannabe Angels to start modeling at a young age, preferably be on a cover of “Vogue” before you turn eighteen!
For example, one of the Victoria’s Secret Angels, Taylor Hill, started modeling when she was fourteen and even had to give up her school! (She got her high school diploma later.)
Most of Victoria’s Secret Models have been dreaming of becoming who they are today, making little fashion shows on their own since they were little girls, so you could say that they have been preparing for modeling almost their entire lives!
2. GET TO KNOW THE COMPANY
If you want to be a Victoria’s Secret Angel, you have to simply live the brand! Use their products, watch reviews, and most importantly, get to know the company itself – their history, representatives, etc.
For one, you have to know Edward (Ed) Razek, an executive producer of the brand’s annual fashion show.
The company first started in 1995, so imagine how many girls have tried to become an Angel over the years! You have to stand out in order to beat the statistics. Just show your commitment to the brand!
As Martha Hunt states in her interview on how to become a Victoria’s Secret Angel – if you are going to do a fashion show, this is the show that matters (so always keep in mind that you are trying to become a part of the world’s most popular lingerie company).
3. TAKE CARE OF YOUR HEALTH AND YOUR LOOKS
If you want to become a supermodel, forget about bad health habits – first of all, no more junk food! Second of all, you have to work-out a lot, every single day, sometimes even twice a day. It is simple – you must be in impeccable shape!
Also, forget about staying up late. Tailor Hill plans her sleeping schedule every day, in order to look vigorous and healthy.
Razek had confirmed multiple times that the days where models were drinking, smoking cigarettes and doing drugs have long gone, we have left the trend in the 1980s. Nowadays, if you want to be a supermodel, you are required to lead an athletic life.
Most of the models state that they never used to train they do now, and it makes them feel a lot better about themselves, as well.
In an “Insider” interview, Adriana Lima said,” I am at the gym every day. Or if I’m not at the gym, I’m working out somewhere, like in my bedroom.”
Trudy Tapscott, the absolute legend of the fashion industry, who has been working as American “Vogue’s” Booking Editor for years (among other jobs), talks about how skinny and how tall a Victoria’s Secret Angel should be.
There is only one size of the clothes that models should be wearing, and there is only one look that they are trying to sell.
The clothes have to fit perfectly, no arguing there! Basically, she says that you have to be taller than the average person.
The most important thing, according to her, is that you are healthy! You mustn’t look too skinny.
It also depends on the type of modeling you are trying to achieve, and the Victoria’s Secret is everything you can imagine – from sports to sexy outfits, so you just have to have it all – simply be a healthy, tall, beautiful woman.
According to the experts, Angels must be at least 5’9” tall, with a 24” waste and no more than 18% body fat.
There is no excuse for you not to work-out since there is a queue of people working for Victoria’s Secret, trying to make you look better – boxing, swimming, pilates, ballet – it is all there, with some of the best trainers in the world, of course!
Trainers who work with some of the Angels try to treat their bodies like athletes and prepares them for shows through scientifically-designed nutrition and exercise plans.
4. BE PERSISTENT
Be aware this will be a long process, full of ups and downs. Mostly downs, probably.
Be prepared to get rejected! Face it – it has happened to most of the Angels at least once, it may happen to you as well! Even Gigi Hadid had to come to the competition three times before she got elected.
The important thing is you stay persistent – work with other agencies in the meantime, keep going to Victoria’s Secret Fashion Shows, stay in touch with your goal.
Go to the open call at the agencies that are primarily responsible for making the contracts of Victoria’s Secret models. Register yourself on modeling websites. Enter the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show Competition, year by year, until you are selected.
Sara Sampaio admits in one of her interviews that she totally blew her first casting for the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. The important thing is, she liked the experience because she knew what to expect the next year.
The second year, even though she had been full of confidence, she did not get the show! Her advice – let all of your insecurities at the door and literally just go for it!
5. WORK ON YOUR IMAGE AND VISUAL IDENTITY
Considering the fact that you will be the face of many different brands, don’t forget to take care of your social media – work on your posts and captions.
Most of the models have gone to become TV personalities or entrepreneurs, so keep in mind that you are making a brand out of yourself, since day one.
Also, always be aware that you will most probably be a role-model to thousands of girls all over the world, so just get on your best behavior in every possible situation, even when you think no one is looking. Trust us – everybody is looking!
Show your creativity and singularity even while posting on Instagram – you are more likely to get followers if you post funny photos, in your “natural surrounding”, so to speak.
Just show yourself to the audience – let them have a sneak peek into your home or your bedroom, post photos of your pets…
Show just show how relaxed you are with the fact that you are an Angel, let people see that you aren’t just an empty shell! Show how normally you function in your everyday life, just like your followers do!
Broadcast your brand constantly, and in the best possible light!
Be aware that, by becoming a Victoria’s Secret Angel, you are definitely becoming an entrepreneur, so act like one!
On the positive side, the company really takes care of your image in front of the audience, as well – models often interact with fans and the media at product launches. You are selling a lifestyle and you have to show how much you are enjoying it!
Don’t forget about the professional photos – your pictures have to be awesome before you even become an Angel, you have to start somewhere, right?
So, just hire a professional photographer before the Contest, and try to make photos that will be appealing to a person’s eye.
6. BE YOURSELF
Just act naturally! Be confident in your skin, in your underwear or even completely naked – you have to feel good about yourself in every possible situation!
Even Angels themselves confess that they have had problems with wearing undies in front of so many people. But, fortunately, it is also a skill that can and should be practiced!
Show off your personality! They do not want just a pretty face, you have to be more than that! Show your skills (even the ones non-related to the fashion industry), express your goofiness, talk about the things you are interested in personal life!
Sara Sampaio admits that she is a very shy person, but also very determinate, and that has helped her a lot to overcome her shyness.
Stella Maxell advises that, since you only have a few minutes during the Competition, you give your energy to the judges and show what you have to offer.
Jasmine Tookes describes herself as a very caring girl, very loving, and shy at first, but as she says, “once you get to know me, you can’t shut me up” – so, just like most of us, right?
And don’t forget to practice blowing Angels’ world-famous hot sexy kisses!
7. APPEAL TO WOMEN, NOT MEN!
As Razek himself explains, it would be ridiculous for the company to try to impress men, while ninety-nine percent of their customers are women.
Most wannabe models think that men have to be impressed by the way they look. It is just a misconception, and you can easily check it – go ahead and ask your man whether he thinks the half a kilogram you have added to your weight makes you look fat.
Or ask him what does he think about your new fake eyelashes. The chances are that we won’t even notice any of those things.
Edward Razek has told once, during an interview, that guys are easy to be mesmerized, it is the women that are hard to impress.
The buyers have to not only want to wear the lingerie but to look and behave like an Angel. It is simple – you have to basically sell the whole package – your attitude, energy, lifestyle!
8. PRACTICE THE WALK
Since we are living in the twenty-first century, and you have access to the internet, you better use it for something that will come in handy – watch tutorials on how to walk, see other models’ advice, just stay in the game!
Why, you are asking? Well, once you enter the Competition, you will have a few minutes to impress the judges with your powerful, mind-blowing walk!
All of the Angels admit that they practice the walk, and they do it a lot! So, no time to waste, you know what to do next! Just show how comfortable you are on that runaway! Act as if you own it!
Also, keep in mind that you will be wearing giant wings! Try to practice that skill as well, although models themselves admit that the wings look heavier than they really are.
9. GET INSPIRED
As we have already pointed out, you have to keep track of important people in the industry.
While you are on the subject, try to enjoy yourself as much as you can – read about other models’ experiences, get to know the important people in the industry itself, not only in this particular company!
Listen to what successful people in the business have to say, not just today, but throughout history!
For example, some of the models get inspired by icons like Marilyn Monroe while blowing famous Victoria’s Secret Angel kisses.
10. BE A PART OF THE TEAM
If you believe that you can be obstinate in your independence, you are dead wrong – Victoria’s Secret Angels are a team, and they work and think like a team.
So, the point is – always be unique, but try to contribute to the group, be one of the girls.
“There are a lot of women who have a strong modeling career, but you want a team who can interact with each other, who are supportive of each other,” Razek says for “Allure”.
So, if you are planning on being in his team, let go of your “diva” attitude and just act friendly to other teammates.
They are especially sensitive to negative competition, so don’t even think about getting competitive if you want to stay in the squad.
The girls describe the energy on the set like really happy and positive, an atmosphere that lets you be who you truly are.
We believe the reason for that is exactly the team spirit – they make you feel like you are working with your closest friends, so you can just relax and act naturally.
11. BE PREPARED TO WORK REALLY HARD
Modeling is not just confidently walking down the runway. There are a lot of preparations that come before the show itself. It is the hardest part, actually.
For example, Adriana Lima admits that, after giving birth to her first child, she had to get into shape before the 22nd Victoria’s Fashion Show, so she went on a liquid-only diet. Twelve hours before the show, she even stopped drinking altogether, according to “The Sun”.
Once you get into the business, be aware of the fact that this is it – your life will start getting so much faster and busier!
Be prepared not to have time for some things that you are used to doing, maybe even lose some friends. The bottom line is – there will be more than a few things that you will have to sacrifice in order to become a Victoria’s Secret Angel.
Most of the models talk about how they do different things for the company every single day, and it is the really exciting part.
While they are shooting sports, they try to put their game face on, other times they have to dance, which they admit makes them feel a little weird sometimes, as opposed to modeling.
Every time there are different situations happening, for example, you never get to be that sexy on-set, so you push your attractiveness to the limit while doing the campaign for a fragrance.
On the other hand, Elsa Hosk says that she loves making videos for Victoria, she feels like she can be herself while doing it because, on the photo, you can’t see the personality of the model.
Get used to high heels – you will be wearing them for days before the show. Also, align with the fact that you will be sitting for hours and hours before the show, while at least six make-up artists try to put a ton of make-up on your face and hairstylists put dozens of hair spray cans onto your hair.
Also, if you were wondering – they have people who do only body contour, using bronzers and highlighters.
The company’s spray tanner (yes, it is a job and an important one), Jimmy Coco explained the process to “Harper’s Bazaar”, saying that he always defines the center of the abdominals and the spine.
He likes to tan around the breast, to give them a firmer look. He defines his butt-contour as “heart-shaped”, which also gives the appearance of a butt-lift, although he also admits that Victoria’s Secret models are nearly perfect, with fabulous bodies, and that there is not much job left for him.
Most models wear hair extensions, and we all know it takes hours to install them, especially if you want them to look natural and beautiful.
You will earn a lot of money. And we mean A LOT of money – Angels are always at the top of Forbes’ list of the world‘s highest-paid models. Just do not let the money and glory knock you down, stay down-to-earth!
Most of the girls are aware of the fact that becoming an Angel means that you are officially a part of Victoria’s Secret family and you are the spokesperson for the whole brand, which brings us to our last step – becoming aware of the responsibility you hold as an Angel.
12. BE AWARE OF YOUR RESPONSIBILITY
It’s a tough job to get and keep, and Razek revealed that it often comes down to details beyond physical appearance.
In multiple interviews over the years, he has said a particular model’s everyday life routine can easily be a deal-breaker for him, considering the fact that thousands of models around the world would give anything just to be a part of the team.
These girls understood the true value of their job – some of the models admit that the fact that the whole world is watching the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show gets them to feel so many emotions at the same time – excited, scared, nervous…
Martha Hunt, on the other hand, talks about the self-affirmation that you feel after getting to be a part of the show – “If I can do this, I can do anything!”
All of the models are pretty aware of their position, always highlighting that they have been really honored to become an Angel, knowing the fact that the company stands for strong, confident women and the Angels have always inspired them, so they are looking forward to doing the same for young girls nowadays.
And last, but not least, always watch your mouth! According to “The Herald Sun”, model Jessica Hart lightly criticized the performance of Taylor Swift after the Show, saying that she “she didn’t fit”.
She hasn’t walked for the brand since then. The bottom line is you always have to be aware that you are representing a team, a company, all of your coworkers all at once, so just do not let anything inappropriate slip away!
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