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: Tyra Banks on the Victoria’s Secret stage in 2000 and 2001
Tyra Banks Angel Contract: 1997 – 2005
Tyra Banks first walked the Victoria’s Secret runway in 1996 and was one of the original troop of Angels. From 1997 until 2005, Tyra “smized” her way down the VS runway becoming one of the brand’s most recognizable faces… and bodies.
