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: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley on the Victoria’s Secret runway in 2009 and 2010
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley Angel Contract: 2010 – 2011
British model turned actress, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, began walking the runway for Victoria’s Secret in 2006 at the brand’s glitzy Los Angeles runway show. In late 2009, Rosie officially became a Victoria’s Secret Angel, but it all ended when Hollywood came knocking. The blonde beauty kicked off her acting career as the new female lead in Transformers: Dark of the Moon, replacing Megan Fox.
