Two top NZ models, Georgia Fowler and Stella Maxwell, walked in the 2017 Victoria’s Secret runway show in Shanghai on Monday. They were in good company too, walking alongside supermodels Alessandra Ambrosio, Adrianna Lima and Karlie Kloss. It’s a big springboard and often leads to endorsement deals worth millions. Previous Angels include Heidi Klum, Stepanie Seymore and Tyra Banks.
Georgia Fowler
This is 25-year-old Georgia’s second year on the runway. In an interview with Viva last week in Sydney in the build up to the VS runway show, the former Auckland Diocesan School for Girls student described being part of the VS crew as “like making the Olympic team.”
“Walking for Victoria’s Secret is like making the Olympic team for me. It has always been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember, I feel so incredibly lucky that my hard work and dedication was recognised and I secured a spot in the line-up among some of the most hardworking women in the industry.” – Georgia Fowler
She’s recently walked in shows across New York, London, Milan and Paris fashion weeks for top designers like Balmain, Miu Miu, and Kanye Wests’s Yeezy.
Georgia takes this all in her stride, surrounded by supportive family and never forgetting where it all began.
“I remember doing New Zealand Fashion Week and being so nervous at the castings and over the moon when I booked more than one show. I also remember getting my first lingerie campaign and taking my girlfriend to Euro in the Viaduct to celebrate with pink lemonade and a bowl of fries, thinking I had made it.”
So far this year she’s been on the cover of 10 international magazines, including a pivotal cover for Australian Harper’s Bazaar by top fashion photographer Darren McDonald.
Stella Maxwell
For Stella Maxwell, the Shanghai show was her fourth year with Victoria’s Secret and her third as an “Angel”. The 27-year-old model (who is currently dating actress Kristen Stewart), showcased two looks: a studded collar with plaid and mesh lingerie and a black lace halter set accessorised with thigh-high white boots, matching gloves and – in place of Angel wings – a massive sculptural attachment.
Maxwell was signed as an official Victoria’s Secret Angel in May 2015 after walking in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2014 as a mere mortal. She’s landed high-profile ad campaigns for ASOS, Alexander McQueen, H&M and Urban Outfitters, as well as walking for Jeremy Scott, Marc Jacobs and Moschino. Maxwell has also appeared in Vogue and Elle editorial shoots.
Born in Belgium to Irish parents, Stella Maxwell moved to New Zealand at the age of 14. She went to school in Wellington at Queen Margaret College, then studied at the University of Otago – where she was discovered by the Dunedin-based Ali McD agency in 2008 which started her modelling career.
