Features

24 Minutes with Victoria’s Secret Angel, Josephine Skriver

10.10.2018

By Joan Kong

24 Minutes with Victoria’s Secret Angel, Josephine Skriver

Being a Victoria’s Secret Angel is a dream to many, but one thing’s for sure: getting there is no easy feat. In 2016, Josephine Skriver (the second Danish model after Helena Christensen) achieved Angel status when the brand announced her addition to the VS family at 22 years old, and fast forward two years, with 5.2 million followers on Instagram, she’s no doubt one of the It-girls of the moment. In conjunction with the opening of Victoria’s Secret first lingerie store in Malaysia, we got in touch with the supermodel, who gave us more insight into the brand and herself as a model and an LGBT activist.

 

You only took up modelling full-time after you finished your studies even though you were scouted at 15. Why is that so?

When I got scouted, I had no idea that modeling was in the horizons. I had full-on plans and those plans weren’t going to stop just because of modeling. So, I did as much as I could on the side, but it was important for me to finish certain parts of school before I went full-time.

 

You’ve joined the Victoria’s Secret family for two years now. How did the opportunity come about, and how has it been?

It was a long process—I worked for VS a lot and tried out three times for the show before finally booking it and slowly worked my way up. It’s definitely a dream come true. I still pinch myself in the morning realising this is what I do for a living. Being a part of this family has been incredible. I only grew up with brothers, so the girls really feel like my sisters—it’s incredible.

 

 

What’s your most memorable Victoria’s Secret look on stage so far?

One of the most memorable looks for me was my first pair of wings-that was such a big moment. It was my fourth show, but the first as an angel, and I didn’t realise how emotional that would be for me. When I got off stage I almost started crying because it was so big and so much! It’s been a lifelong dream of mine, something I didn’t even think would be my possibility. But I think if you ask people, the one that really stands out seems to be my cop outfit. There was one time I was dressed up as a cop for PINK and it seems to be the one that people really remember.

 

 

From innerwear to loungewear and body care, do you have a favourite Victoria’s Secret product?

I have so many different favourite products depending on the occasion! I work out a lot so I live in the knockout tights and the sports bras. That’s probably what you would see me in all the time. But when I want to feel extra sexy out, I love The Wicked—The Wicked bras are so good.

 

 

 

Aside from being a model, you’re an LGBT rights activist, and have always used your personal story to fight for equality for the community. What would you like to ultimately achieve?

If I could pick right now, my ultimate goal would be to not be relevant, in the sense that my story wasn’t different, my story didn’t need to be told. There was no reason for me to speak up. I just want there to be enough tolerance and respect in the world, that we can all just be here. Love is love and family is just family. There is no right or wrong way to do it; as long as you’re just there for love and not hurting anyone.

 

 

 

You were a soccer player in school. What would you be doing if you didn’t pursue a modelling career?

I guess there was a short hope for me of being a professional soccer player, but I quickly found out that wasn’t my talent. I was planning on studying medicine and becoming a doctor before modeling, but then modeling kind of kept happening and I pursued that. Now, I don’t look back.

 

What’s your all-time favourite movie?

I have so many! I do love Pay It Forward—it’s such a cute movie. It still makes me cry every time I see it, but I love the message and I try to live after that.

 

How do you stay fit while constantly traveling? Do you have a strict workout or diet regime?

I actually travel with my own little gym kit. I have some bands, some jump ropes, and there’s a lot you can do in just a hotel room while having fun. It’s all about being active. Even if you can’t make it to the gym, just tell yourself, “I will take the stairs the whole day, I just want to be active.” Be out, explore, put on some running shoes, and it’s a great way to see a city.

 

 

Name three of your must-have beauty products.

One of my favorite products is the first thing I put on in the morning and the last thing that I put on at night—my fragrance. I’m obsessed with the VS Tease, it has always been a fun product of mine. The brand has an amazing amount of fragrances, and I always love to try different ones depending on the mood and the seasons. Other than that, I always have makeup wipes. I think they’re super important, and you can never go to bed without taking your makeup off! And lastly, a good sunscreen.

 

Let’s talk about fashion. The Spring/Summer 2019 Fashion Month has just ended. What are some of your favourite trends at the moment?

This year, it seemed like there’s a lot of bold colours and prints especially neon, and I love that! I love wearing bright colours especially when it comes to my lingerie.

 

 

Victoria’s Secret Fashion Week will return to New York City this year. What do you love most about the Big Apple?

New York is one of my favourite cities in the entire world. It’s so vibrant, full of life, it’s 24/7, it’s fun and it’s young. You can’t help but feel like you’re in a movie set because it’s such an iconic city. With VS being such an iconic brand, I feel like this is one of my favorite cities to do the show in with them.

 

 

Victoria’s Secret lingerie store is now open at Mid Valley Megamall. Click here for more info.

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