The Aussie models making millions by hitting the catwalk for Victoria’s Secret
THEY’VE made millions from wearing their underwear, but these Aussie beauties have discovered just how life-changing being a Victoria’s Secret model can really be.
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SINCE Miranda Kerr earned her Angel wings in 2007, Aussie models have been dreaming of following in her high-heeled footsteps and walking in the world-famous Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. From Jess Hart to Shanina Shaik, Australian women have made the cut and found themselves on a launching pad that takes their modelling career (and pay cheque) to the next level.
With this year’s show set to air on 28 November on CBS, we’ve taken a look back at a decade of Aussie Victoria’s Secret models and their lucrative careers.
MIRANDA KERR
Miranda Kerr became Australia’s first Victoria’ Secret Angel in 2007, at the age of 24, when she replaced supermodel Gisele Bunchen. Kerr went on to appear as an Angel every year from 2008 to 2012 (except for 2010 when she was pregnant with son Flynn Bloom). According to The Richest, she is worth an estimated US$18 million (A$23.7 million). The now 34-year-old has represented international brands such as Maybelline, Billbong, PINK, H&M, Clinique, Swarovski, Reebok and Givenchy, as well as Australian department store David Jones. In addition to her modelling work, Kerr launched an organic skincare line called KORA Organics in 2009, and has made TV appearances on the reality show Project Runway and sitcom How I Met Your Mother.
ABBEY LEE KERSHAW
Melbourne-born Abbey Lee Kershaw, 30, made her international catwalk debut at New York Fashion Week in 2008, where she appeared in 29 shows, including those for Oscar de la Renta and Rodarte. Later that same year, she appeared in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, and for a second time in 2009. Although she never achieved Angel status, Kershaw has enjoyed ongoing career success and is now more focused on acting with roles in films such as Gods of Egypt and The Dark Tower. In 2013, The Daily Telegraph estimated her net worth at $7 million.
STELLA MAXWELL
Honorary Aussie Stella Maxwell (she lived in Canberra with her family for a year before moving to New Zealand) first walked the Victoria’s Secret runway in 2014, before receiving her Angel wings in 2015. The Belgium-born Irish beauty, who was named the sexiest woman in the world by Maxim magazine in 2016, reportedly has an estimated net worth of US$1 million (A$1.32 million), according to Muzel.com. Maxwell appeared on the VS runway again this year, donning what she called her heaviest pair of wings yet.
BRIDGET MALCOLM
After being rejected twice by the world famous lingerie brand, Bridget Malcolm was selected to walk in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Shows in 2015 and 2016. Malcolm, who did not walk in this year’s show, was forced to defend herself earlier this month after she was criticised on social media for being too thin. The 26-year-old model posted a message to this year’s VS models on Instagram, writing: “I know how much hard work and dedication goes into it — Have so much fun!!!!”
ELYSE TAYLOR
Sydney girl Elyse Taylor, 31, has walked for labels such as Dolce & Gabbana, Bottega Veneta, Tommy Hilfiger, Betsey Johnson, and appeared on the cover of Australian Vogue. She was also named as the face of makeup empire Estee Lauder in 2008. The following year, she had the honour of walking in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show alongside fellow Aussies Miranda Kerr and Abbey Lee Kershaw.
GEORGIA FOWLER
New Zealand native Georgia Fowler was given the chance to strut her stuff in this year’s Victoria’s Secret runway show. It is the second time the 25-year-old has been a Victoria’s Secret Angel — but she had previously auditioned five times before eventually being cast. With a net worth of an estimated $1.1 million, according to celebnetworths.org, the New Zealand and Australian-raised model (her dad is Aussie pro golfer Peter Fowler) described the experience as a “dream”.
JESSICA HART
After moving to New York to pursue a career in modelling, Sydney-born Jessica Hart scored a gig with Victoria’s Secret in 2009 appearing in the label’s catalogues. However, it wasn’t until 2012 that she first walked in the annual runway show. The 31-year-old appeared again in 2013, but was reportedly dropped by the brand shortly afterwards for her comments about singer Taylor Swift (she said the pop star “didn’t fit” in with the show). Company president Ed Razek denied rumours that Hart has been fired. Since then Hart has appeared on the covers of Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar and Cosmopolitan magazines. Hart has an estimated net worth of US$8 million (A$10.6 million), according to networthpost.com.
SARAH STEPHENS
Sarah Stephens, 27, stepped on the Victoria’s Secret runway in 2008, just a few months after she turned 18. The English-born, Sydney-bred Stephens was the youngest model to walk in the show that year. Following her role with Victoria’s Secret, Stephens was cast in the 2009 film Solitary Man, which starred Michael Douglas and Danny DeVito, and played a witch in the 2015 horror T he Witch. She is continuing to model. however, recently appearing in a campaign for Aussie lingerie store Bras N Things. According to networthpost.com, her net worth is estimated at US$5 million (A$6.6 million).
SHANINA SHAIK
Twenty-six-year-old Shanina Shaik began modelling at the age of eight, and was the sixth Aussie to be cast in a Victoria’s Secret Runway Show when she walked the runway in 2011 and 2012. She tried out for the show three times before she was finally successful. The experience led to doing print catalogues for Victoria’s Secret the following year, as well as campaigns for Bonds, Olay and Just Jeans. With an estimated net worth of US$10 million (A$13.2 million), according to articlebio.com, Shaik has worked for labels such as Oscar de la Renta, Tom Ford and Stella McCartney.
VICTORIA LEE
This year marks Victoria Lee’s debut appearance in the Victoria’s Secret show. The 26-year-old from country NSW is starting to make a name for herself in the fashion world, having appeared in Vanity Fair and Harper’s Bazaar and as the face of swimwear brand Seafolly. If our other Victoria’s Secret models are any indication, Lee’s future is bound to be bright — and lucrative.
KELLY GALE
For Kelly Gale, 22, this year marks her fourth Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. She may be young, but the Swedish model of Indian and Australian heritage brings a wealth of experience to the catwalk. In addition to Victoria’s Secret, Gale has walked in shows for Chanel, Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Vivienne Tam and more.
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