When you close your eyes and think of the quintessential Victoria Secret model blonde, your brain probably serves up a very specific image. Golden beach waves. A sun-kissed tan that looks like it cost more than a mortgage. That specific, high-wattage smile.
But honestly? The "blonde Angel" isn't just one person or one look. It's a massive, multi-decade machine that has basically defined what global beauty meant for a generation. From the early 90s glam of Claudia Schiffer to the modern, high-fashion edge of Gigi Hadid, the blonde aesthetic at Victoria’s Secret has shifted more than you might think.
People think it’s just about being pretty. It’s not. It’s about a very specific brand of "approachable" power.
The Evolution of the Blonde Angel Aesthetic
Back in the day, the blonde look was all about European sophistication. Think Karen Mulder or Daniela Peštová. They were statuesque, sure, but they had this sort of "Plaza Hotel" elegance.
Then the 2000s hit. Everything changed.
The brand leaned hard into the "Bombshell" era. This is when the Victoria Secret model blonde became a lifestyle. It wasn't just hair color; it was a vibe. We’re talking about Gisele Bündchen (technically a "dirty blonde" or "bronde" if we're being pedantic) and Heidi Klum. They brought a level of athleticism and "stomp" to the runway that replaced the old-school poise.
Suddenly, being a blonde model wasn't about being a delicate flower. It was about being a powerhouse.
Why Candice Swanepoel is the Blueprint
If you ask any die-hard VS fan who the ultimate blonde Angel is, they’re going to say Candice Swanepoel. No question.
Candice, the South African powerhouse, joined the ranks in 2007 and became an Angel in 2010. She’s kind of the gold standard. Why? Because she perfectly balanced the high-fashion requirements of someone like Steven Meisel with the commercial "girl next door" charm the brand needed to sell bras in Ohio.
She wasn't always blonde, though. Interestingly, early in her career, she rocked a much darker, brownish-blonde look. The brand helped transition her into that bright, icy-to-honey gold that eventually became her signature. It was a strategic move. It worked.
The Technical Side of the "Angel Glow"
You’ve probably wondered how they all look so uniform during the show. It’s not an accident.
According to various lead hair stylists like Anthony Turner (who worked on the 2024 and 2025 shows), the goal for the blondes is never a "flat" color. They use a technique often called "ribboning."
Basically, they weave multiple shades of gold, cream, and sand through the hair. This ensures that when the heavy stage lights hit the model on the runway, the hair doesn't look like a solid yellow block. It looks like it’s moving. It looks "expensive."
- The Hair: Usually involves 18-to-24-inch extensions for volume.
- The Skin: A mix of professional spray tans and "shimmer" oils applied minutes before walking.
- The Tone: Most VS blondes lean toward warm tones rather than ash, because warmth reads as "healthy" on camera.
The Modern Shift: 2024 and Beyond
The 2024 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show return—and the subsequent 2025 hype—showed a different side of the blonde coin. The brand is trying to be more inclusive, but the "blonde bombshell" still has its place.
Look at someone like Elsa Hosk. She’s Swedish, she’s athletic (she was a professional basketball player, FYI), and she represents the modern, high-fashion version of the Victoria Secret model blonde. She’s less about the "seductive" pout and more about a cool, almost detached Scandinavian chic.
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Then you have the return of the legends. Seeing Doutzen Kroes or Behati Prinsloo back on the runway in 2024/2025 proves that the blonde Angel isn't just a phase—it's a legacy. Doutzen, in particular, has always represented the "classic" beauty side of the brand, with that iconic Dutch bone structure that seems to never age.
Surprising Facts You Might Not Know
- Gisele's Contract: When Gisele Bündchen was the top blonde for the brand, her contract was reportedly worth $25 million. That’s a lot of pressure for one hair color.
- The "Fake" Blondes: A lot of the iconic blondes aren't natural. Karlie Kloss and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley have both fluctuated between brunette and blonde, but the brand almost always pushed them toward the lighter side for the big shows.
- The Fantasy Bra: It’s a huge deal. Getting to wear the multi-million dollar bra is the peak. Blonde models like Marisa Miller (2009) and Candice Swanepoel (2013) have held that honor, usually wearing sets valued between $2 million and $10 million.
How to Get the Look (The Realistic Version)
Look, we aren't all 5'10" with a team of 50 stylists. But if you're trying to capture that Victoria Secret model blonde energy, there are a few real-world takeaways.
First, it’s about "lived-in" color. You don't want your roots to be perfect. A bit of shadow at the root makes the blonde look more natural and less like a bottle job. This is the secret to why models like Romee Strijd always look like they just stepped off a beach in Ibiza.
Second, it’s the health of the hair. You can’t get that shine if your hair is fried. Most of these models swear by Olaplex or K18 treatments between shows to keep the cuticle closed.
The "Commercial" Power of Blonde
There is a reason the brand relies on blondes for their "PINK" line especially. Research into consumer behavior (and VS's internal marketing, which has been analyzed by business experts for decades) suggests that "sunny" blondes perform better in commercial catalogs.
It feels more "attainable." Or at least, that’s the myth they’ve been selling.
But as the fashion world moves toward more diversity, the "blonde" category is expanding. We're seeing more blonde textures—from short, edgy cuts to natural curls. It’s no longer just the "Barbie" aesthetic.
Moving Forward
If you're following the current careers of these women, you'll see they aren't just faces anymore. They're brands.
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- Rosie Huntington-Whiteley: Launched Rose Inc, a massive beauty brand.
- Karlie Kloss: Founded "Kode with Klossy" and even bought i-D Magazine.
- Gisele: Basically the face of environmental activism in the fashion world.
The Victoria Secret model blonde might have started as a marketing trope, but the women behind the hair have turned it into a platform for genuine business empires.
To really understand the current landscape, you should look at the 2025 runway roster. It’s a mix of the "Old Guard" and new-age influencers. The blonde look is still there, but it’s no longer the only requirement for "Angel" status.
Check out the recent campaigns from 2025 featuring Lily Aldridge and Candice Swanepoel to see how the "Gold" standard has matured into something much more sophisticated than just lingerie and wings.