Victoria's Secret began making women look sexy back in 1977 and by 1995 they had models strutting down in the runway in what would soon become the annual Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. At the fourth annual Victoria's Secret runway bash, the lingerie brand took a sexy step forward and unveiled the Victoria's Secret Angels. The Angels were to be a group of elite models who would not only walk the runway, but act as official company spokeswomen.
The original Victoria's Secret Angels were: Helena Christensen, Karen Mulder, Daniela Pestova, Stephanie Seymour and Tyra Banks. Current Victoria's Secret Angels include: Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio, Behati Prinsloo, Candice Swanepoel, Karlie Kloss, Doutzen Kroes, Erin Heatherton, Lily Aldridge and Lindsay Ellingson.
Over the years countless top models have strutted the Victoria's Secret stage as "runway Angels", but only a few ladies have held the gaze of men around the world and been named official Angels for the lingerie brand. Here's a look back at our favourite Victoria's Secret Angels who have hung up their wings and retired.
Above: Karolina Kurkova on the Victoria’s Secret in 2005 and 2003
Karolina Kurkova Angel Contract: 2005 – 2008
Czech model Karolina Kurkova began walking the Victoria’s Secret runway in 2000 and officially held the Victoria’s Secret Angel title for three years. Karolina retired from the VS stage in 2008… but she delighted audiences around the globe when she returned to walk in the 2010 Victoria’s Secret runway extravaganza.
