A CHANCE ENCOUNTER WITH A TALENT SCOUT AT A FLEA MARKET LAUNCHED THIS FARM-RAISED SOUTH AFRICAN INTO FASHION SUPERSTARDOM — FROM HEADLINING THE VICTORIA’S SECRET RUNWAY AND FRONTING MAJOR GLOBAL CAMPAIGNS TO LAUNCHING HER OWN SWIMWEAR LABEL

By Tia Kim • Photo by Andrea Raffin

Born and raised on a dairy and cattle farm in the small village of Mooi River, South Africa, Candice Swanepoel’s ascent to international fame reads like a fashion fairytale. Discovered at just 15 years old at a flea market in Durban, she quickly left home to pursue modeling abroad, eventually landing in the high-stakes fashion circuits of Paris, Milan, and New York. Early campaigns for Guess, Nike, and Juicy Couture helped establish her as a rising force, but it was her relationship with Victoria’s Secret that catapulted her into global superstardom.

Swanepoel first appeared in a Victoria’s Secret campaign in 2007 before officially becoming an Angel in 2010, joining the elite ranks of lingerie royalty. Tall, impossibly bronzed, and effortlessly charismatic, she soon became one of the defining faces of the brand’s golden era. Her crowning achievement arrived in 2013 when she was selected to wear the legendary Mouawad-designed $10 million Royal Fantasy Bra during the annual televised runway spectacular. She’s been the face of dozens of major international campaigns for haute fashion brands like Versace, Tom Ford, Givenchy, and Miu Miu, graced the covers of Vogue and Elle numerous times, and named Maxim’s #1 “Hot 100” woman of 2014.

But Swanepoel’s staying power extends beyond the catwalk. A Forbes Top 10 earner, she’s also a savvy businesswoman, launching her sustainable swimwear label Tropic of C in 2018. The brand quickly distinguished itself in the crowded resortwear market through its minimalist silhouettes, earthy sensuality, and commitment to environmentally conscious materials. The label earned critical acclaim almost immediately, even taking home Launch of the Year honors at the Daily Front Row Fashion Awards in 2019. Today, Swanepoel has come full circle. This year, Tropic of C partnered with Victoria’s Secret for the limited-edition TOC x Victoria’s Secret swim collection, merging the sensual DNA of both brands into a polished, eco-conscious capsule.

Candice Swanepoel
candiceswanepoel.com / tropicofc.com