The runway of the world's most famous lingerie brand redefined the global modeling industry for over two decades. Earning a pair of wings became the ultimate career milestone for countless fashion professionals. These recognizable ambassadors dominated television broadcasts, catalog covers, and high-fashion campaigns while turning a yearly commercial into an international pop culture phenomenon. Dive into this retrospective of 30 legendary models who left an indelible mark on the brand's glittering history.
Adriana Lima
Holding the record for the longest tenure in the brand's history, she walked in 18 distinct fashion shows. The Brazilian icon opened the television broadcast five different times and wore the Fantasy Bra on three separate occasions. Her intense dedication to the runway meant she once walked the show merely weeks after giving birth.
Miranda Kerr
Becoming the first Australian to earn official wings completely shifted the brand's international demographic appeal. She famously modeled the $2.5 million Fantasy Treasure Bra during the 2011 event.
Heidi Klum
Hosting the broadcast several times cemented her status as the absolute face of the brand throughout the early 2000s. She holds the distinction of wearing the Fantasy Bra three times, including the dazzling $12.5 million Heavenly Star Bra. Her mainstream popularity directly paved the way for her television career on shows like "Project Runway". Her energetic personality set a new standard for runway performances.
Candice Swanepoel
South African representation reached new heights when she officially joined the exclusive roster in 2010. Known for her impeccable runway walk, she was chosen to wear the Royal Fantasy Bra valued at $10 million in 2013. The brand heavily utilized her for both the televised shows and the high-volume swim catalog shoots.
Tyra Banks
A true pioneer for the brand, she became the very first Black model to secure a contract. Her commanding presence helped transition the catalog into a massive television spectacle alongside early peers like Stephanie Seymour. She wore the Fantasy Bra twice before retiring from the runway to create "America's Next Top Model".
Behati Prinsloo
Scouted in a grocery store, the Namibian model brought a relaxed and playful energy to the heavily choreographed shows. She opened the consecutive 2014 and 2015 broadcasts, a rare achievement shared with very few peers.
Doutzen Kroes
The Dutch powerhouse officially gained her wings in 2008 and quickly became a central figure in major campaigns. She possessed a classic beauty that landed her numerous prestige cosmetic contracts parallel to her lingerie work. Leaving the brand on her own terms allowed her to focus on lucrative European fashion houses.
Lily Aldridge
Coming from a family deeply rooted in fashion and art, she naturally stepped into the spotlight in 2010. She achieved the ultimate honor in 2015 by wearing the $2 million Fireworks Fantasy Bra. Her close friendships with other prominent models and musicians frequently made her a pop culture focal point.
Karlie Kloss
Joining the roster at just 19 years old, her signature walk quickly made her a standout star. She uniquely balanced her high-fashion editorial work with the commercial demands of the lingerie giant. Cutting her contract short to pursue a university degree highlighted her pivot toward tech education and coding initiatives. She went on to create scholarship programs for young women in computer science.
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley
British elegance took center stage when she became an official ambassador in 2009. She seamlessly transitioned from catalog shoots to walking the massive runway alongside established veterans like Adriana Lima. Hollywood eventually noticed her commanding presence, leading to a major acting role in "Transformers: Dark of the Moon".
Taylor Hill
Signing her contract at age 18 made her the youngest official face of the company at that specific time. She represented a newer, social media-savvy generation designed to attract younger demographics.
Lais Ribeiro
Overcoming significant language barriers, the Brazilian standout learned English while actively working top-tier fashion jobs. The brand elevated her status in 2017 by selecting her to wear the Champagne Nights Fantasy Bra, adorned with gold leaves and sapphires. She consistently remained a reliable fixture for both the runway and commercial print work.
Romee Strijd
Debuting in 2014, she quickly climbed the ranks to earn official status the very next year. The Dutch model frequently documented her intense training routines, giving fans a behind-the-scenes look at the preparation required. She wore the dazzling Shooting Star Swarovski look in 2018, which featured over 125,000 embedded crystals.
Stella Maxwell
Born in Belgium to Northern Irish parents, she brought a distinct edge to the traditionally glamorous lineup. She earned her official contract in 2015 and became a regular fixture in the high-energy PINK segments. Her versatility allowed her to seamlessly transition between high-fashion runways and commercial catalog shoots. She often stood out by incorporating her personal rocker-chic style into brand appearances.
Josephine Skriver
Starting her career in high fashion, the Danish model successfully crossed over into the commercial lingerie market. She worked heavily with the brand for years before officially receiving her wings in 2016. A notable moment came when she wore the spectacular Swarovski outfit featuring 450,000 crystals and crystal fringe boots.
Sara Sampaio
Portuguese representation hit the global stage when she officially joined the exclusive ranks in 2015. She initially built her foundation with the brand's younger PINK division before graduating to the main roster.
Elsa Hosk
A former professional basketball player in Sweden, she traded the court for international catwalks. She officially became an Angel in 2015 after years of serving as a brand ambassador for the PINK line. The brand trusted her to model the $1 million Dream Angels Fantasy Bra crafted entirely from Swarovski created diamonds.
Jasmine Tookes
Captivating audiences with her flawless skin and confident strut, she earned her wings in 2015. She achieved a historic milestone the following year by wearing the $3 million Bright Night Fantasy Bra. Only a select few models in history have been chosen for this honor within a year of signing their contract. Her runway appearances frequently highlighted intricate, jewel-encrusted wing designs.
Martha Hunt
Discovered in North Carolina, she became an official face of the brand alongside a massive new wave of talent in 2015. She frequently closed major segments of the televised broadcast in elaborate, heavy wing constructions. Her public advocacy for scoliosis awareness added significant depth to her public profile.
Karolina Kurkova
Taking the fashion world by storm, the Czech model wore the Fantasy Bra at just 18 years old. She secured her official contract in the early 2000s, working closely with legends like Heidi Klum and Gisele Bündchen. A unique physical trait, her lack of a visible belly button, required frequent digital editing in catalog shoots.
Selita Ebanks
Hailing from the Cayman Islands, she brought a vibrant Caribbean presence to the legendary catwalk. She received her official status in 2005 and quickly became a staple in the brand's holiday television specials.
Marisa Miller
Embodying the classic all-American aesthetic, she transitioned from sports magazines directly into lingerie campaigns. She officially joined the roster in 2007, representing a shift toward athletic, sun-kissed beauty standards. Her tenure peaked when she wore the $3 million Harlequin Fantasy Bra during the 2009 broadcast.
Erin Heatherton
The freckled blonde from Illinois was scouted while simply walking through South Beach, Miami. She maintained her official status from 2010 to 2013, appearing in countless global campaigns. Behind the scenes, she later spoke candidly about the intense physical pressures associated with maintaining the required runway measurements. She ultimately stepped away from the brand to focus on a healthier lifestyle.
Lindsay Ellingson
With a background in competitive dancing, she brought exceptional grace to her runway performances. She walked her first show in 2007 and officially earned her wings four years later. The company frequently utilized her for their beauty and cosmetics campaigns due to her striking facial symmetry.
Daniela Pestova
One of the original pioneers, the Czech model helped define the early aesthetic of the growing brand. She appeared on countless catalog covers throughout the 1990s before the television spectaculars even existed.
Stephanie Seymour
Entering the scene in the early 1990s, she was instrumental in establishing the brand's initial high-profile image. She headlined the very first fashion show held at the Plaza Hotel in New York, a modest event compared to later arena spectacles. Her legendary catalog work remains a vital piece of fashion history.
Helena Christensen
The Danish supermodel brought high-fashion credibility to the commercial lingerie company during its formative years. She starred in a legendary television commercial alongside Tyra Banks and Daniela Pestova, officially cementing the "Angel" concept in pop culture. Her dramatic features made her a standout during the brand's early promotional tours.
Barbara Palvin
Earning official status in 2019 marked a significant moment for the Hungarian model after years of intermittent appearances. The brand publicly celebrated her signing as a step toward slightly more diverse body representation. Her tenure was uniquely short, as the company drastically restructured its marketing approach shortly after her promotion. She remains one of the last models to be officially given the title before the rebrand.
Alessandra Ambrosio
Walking the runway 17 times solidifies her place as one of the most dedicated models in the company's history. She served as the very first spokesmodel for the PINK brand line before graduating to the main roster. In a remarkable feat, she wore the heaviest wings ever constructed while pregnant with her second child.
Gisele Bündchen
Commanding the catwalk with unmatched authority, the Brazilian superstar completely altered the brand's trajectory. She wore the legendary $15 million Red Hot Fantasy Bra, which officially entered the Guinness World Records as the most expensive lingerie ever created. When she abruptly departed the company, her absence fundamentally shifted the balance of power in the modeling industry.
