WRITTEN BY REBECCA D'SOUZA
Candice Swanepoel is tipped to become the world’s next top model. In just two years the South African beauty has taken the fashion world by storm after gracing the front cover of Italian Vogue and landing a lucrative deal with Victoria’s Secret. The supermodel has managed to amass $3 million in the past year alone through a series of successful fashion ventures.
There are not many young women that have experienced the type of success that has followed Swanepoel. The VS model was just 15 years old when she found her calling in the fashion world. In 2005 she signed with Ice Model Management after being scouted in a flea market in Durban. By the age of16, she was earning R40,000 for a day’s work and she has featured on the high-fashion and commercial map ever since.
Victoria's Secret
Her unique features have captivated the industry and landed her major shows in New York City, London and Milan. In 2007 she made her debut appearance at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show and two years later she received her VS wings and became the first South African Victoria’s Secret Angel.
After signing a three-year deal with Victoria’s Secret, Swanepoel disappeared from the runways and her career in high-fashion steadily declined. As an ambassador of the Victoria’s Secret brand, Swanepoel has appeared in numerous catalogues and commercials for the lingerie retailer. Last year, she modelled for the Kardashians’ 2010 swimwear line Beach Bunny and Zeki Swimwear 2010.
Italian Vogue
Swanepoel’s appearance on the front cover of Italian Vogue earlier this year marked her return to high fashion and re-established her as one of the finest models in the industry. The vibrant colours and pin-up girl look was a far cry from her Victoria Secret shoots and reminded the fashion world of her versatility as a model. She dominated the catwalk at Paris Fashion Week and walked the runway for four major designers – Stella McCartney, Givenchy, Viktor & Rolf and Christian Dior. It was her first appearance since 2008 and has re-affirmed Swanepoel’s place as the sexy girl of high fashion.
The 22-year-old supermodel continued her high fashion crossover earlier this year when she appeared in Tom Ford and Versace ad campaigns. Prior to this, she appeared in adverts for Diesel, Topshop and True Religion. It is no surprise that she was recently named by Forbes as the tenth richest supermodel in the world. Swanepoel is hot property and is well on her way to becoming the next Heidi Klum or Allessandra Ambrosio.
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