London - It is arguably the sexiest fashion show of the year, its stunning models draw in millions of viewers every year.
And Victoria’s Secret is about to get even bigger – and hotter.
The lingerie giant announced this week that it is adding 10 models to its Supermodel Angels, who will be joining already established Angels Lily Aldridge, Alessandra Ambrosio, Adriana Lima, Behati Prinsloo, and Candice Swanepoel.
So who are the new kids on the block?
Kate Grigorieva from Russia, Taylor Hill from Colorado, Elsa Hosk from Sweden, and Martha Hunt from North Carolina are among the new crew.
They will be joined by Jac Jagaciak from Poland, Stella Maxwell from the UK, Lais Ribeiro from Brazil, Sara Sampaio from Portugal, Romee Strijd from Holland, and Jasmine Tookes, who hails from California.
The expanded Angel line-up gives Victoria’s Secret the largest group of contract models in its history and the most powerful collection of established and emerging models in the world.
The new line up follows the departure of Doutzen Kroes and Karlie Kloss, who announced that they had hung up their wings earlier this year to focus on other projects.
We give you a run down on the new batch of Angels who will no doubt be showcasing their enviable physiques on the runway and in the brand’s lingerie campaigns in the coming months.
ELSA HOSK
Elsa, 26, began modelling after her father submitted photographs to a local agency. Hosk balanced modelling with a professional basketball career, eventually leaving the court to pursue modelling full-time.
The Swedish model, who recently starred alongside Candice Swanepoel in the brand’s lingerie campaign, has worked for the likes of Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Ungaro, H&M and Guess.
JAc jagaciak
Monika “Jac”, 21, is a Polish model who was snapped up in 2007 when she was discovered at a casting in her local Poznan shopping mall.
When she was just 15 years old, she made her debut at New York Fashion Week, walking in a slew of shows, and was dubbed the hottest new face to watch before landing a Calvin Klein campaign.
She comes from an athletic family and has been training in track and field since she was a child. She enjoys playing sports and cooking.
JASMINE TOOKES
Jasmine, 24, was discovered in her fashion stylist mother’s showroom.
As a child, she practiced gymnastics for 14 years and played high school volleyball.
Her breakthrough campaigns were in 2010 for Ugg boots and Gap. Despite her trim figure, she is a self-confessed “foodie” who loves trying new and exotic meals.
ROMEE STRIJD
Romee, 19, is a Dutch model with major interests in interior design and cooking, and likes to stay fit with running and boxing.
In 2011, Strijd signed up with the DNA Model Management agency. Three years later she was snapped up to be one of the newcomers at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. Her campaigns have included Alexander McQueen, Badgley Mischka, Balmain, Calvin Klein, Isabel Marant, Jil Sander, Michael Kors and Yves Saint Laurent. She has yet to land in US Vogue but has already appeared in Vogue Netherlands and Vogue UK.
LAIS RIBEIRO
Lais, 24, launched her modelling career in 2009 as a model in her home country of Brazil.
She was quickly noticed and cast for designers such as Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Dolce & Gabbana.
The model loves to stay active with boxing, volleyball and soccer. She also has a passion for salsa dancing.
SARA SAMPAIO
Portuguese model Sampaio is best known for working with Lipsy and Calzedonia.
The 23-year-old was also the first Portuguese model to star in the 2014 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, for which she was hailed Rookie of the Year. She has won the Portuguese “best female model” Golden Globe multiple times.
She is a brown belt in karate, plays the violin and loves to surf.
STELLA MAXWELL
Stella, 24, is Irish but was born in Belgium and was raised there until she was 13. In one of her many moves, her family relocated to Canberra, Australia, then Wellington, New Zealand.
She was discovered at Otago University and started her modelling career. The young model loves racket sports, hiking and travel.
KATE GRIGORIEVA
Kate, 25, hails from Olenegorsk, Murmansk Oblast in Russia and failed to qualify for Miss Russia 2010.
The year 2012 was, however, a good one for the fledgling model, who came 10th in the competition and starred on the fourth edition of Russia’s Next Top Model, where she was runner-up.
Host Irina Shayk’s agency scouted her and she was snapped up and cast in Donna Karan’s show in 2014, which she opened, as well as Oscar de la Renta, Tory Burch, and Ralph Lauren shows.
Grigorieva is an accomplished ballroom dancer. She graduated from art school and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing before starting her modelling career.
TAYLOR HILL
Just 19, she was scouted while on a horse ranch in Colorado by Jim Jordan, an agent who is also a photographer.
She was quickly snapped up to star in Intimissimi’s catalogue, has modelled for H&M and was one of the faces of Rosa Cha with Erin Heatherton, Frida Gustavsson and Barbara Palvin.
She likes listening to new music, reading, snowboarding and practising yoga.
MARTHA HUNT
Martha, 26, was discovered in her home state of North Carolina at a modelling competition.
Her most talked-about campaign was for Free People and she has clocked up 180 catwalk appearances.
As well as counting Taylor Swift and Karlie Kloss as her best friends, she likes to cook and stays active with surfing and dancing.
And she isn’t as strict with her diet as one would believe. “When I go home to North Carolina, I love to make barbecue chicken with corn cakes. It’s my favourite,” Hunt told Style.com.
“And I make the best Christmas cookies in the world. Well… my mom does, I just help.”
Bianca London, Daily Mail