The brand new Victoria’s Secret location (750 Burrard St.) in Vancouver was packed on August 27th for it’s grand opening, and the crowds aren’t showing any sign of slowing down yet. What’s all the fuss all about? Measuring at over 35,000 feet, the Robson Street location marks the second largest Victoria’s Secret in the world. The dramatic, glamorous, and very pink two-story space will deliver the country’s top rated lingerie and body care collections to the growing number of Vancouver VS fans. We caught up with gorgeous and super-friendly Angel, Lindsay Ellingson, to get the inside scoop on the life of a VS angel.
29Secrets: What are you most excited about for Victoria’s Secret this fall?
Lindsay Ellingson: What I’m most excited is the Victoria fragrance. It’s very special because there’s an exclusively trademarked note in it that was designed by Paris perfumers and its exclusive for Victoria’s Secret. It’s a blend of 5 different types of roses.
How did you get your start modelling?
I was going to college in San Diego, and I was scouted. Basically, there was an agency in Paris that was interested in me and I had to fight with my parents to let me move to Paris. I just had the strongest feeling inside. I’m very intuitive, and I believe in signs. I was like, I just need to do this. So I deferred my enrollment, moved to Paris, and on day one, met John Galliano. He started my career, and from there, it snowballed. It’s been almost 10 years, and it keeps getting better and better and better. It’s pretty amazing.
Do you have any advice for aspiring models?
First of all, don’t ever let an agency tell you to lose weight. You have to be healthy. Don’t do anything that’s unhealthy. A lot of models take being skinny too far, on the runway, you see models that are a little too skinny. What I love about Victoria’s Secret is that women are curvy, they’re healthy, and that’s what we represent. We can relate to the other women. I would also say finish school.
Is it weird when people call you an angel?
It still hasn’t sunk in yet, it doesn’t feel real. I just remember as a kid, I shopped at Victoria’s Secret and the angels to me were always Giselle, Heidi, Tyra, and Karolina Kurkova and so I still feel like I’m looking up and seeing these angels and I kind of have to remind myself – oh, you’re one of them.
How do people react then you tell them you’re a Victoria’s Secret model?
It’s different for everybody. If I meet somebody new they usually immediately start asking questions like “do you get to keep your wings?” “Do you get free stuff?” They’re usually pretty interested in it, because it’s a really cool job. It’s kind of like being a professional athlete in a way because its so rare. It’s very rare. I can’t say I work as hard as a professional athlete, but you do have to work very hard to get here and it’s pretty amazing job, I can’t complain.
So do you get to keep your wings?
No! That’s the one thing we don’t get to keep. I’d have an entire apartment full of wings if I got to keep them.
Head on over to the new Victoria’s Secret store at Robson and Burrard in Vancouver and get ready for fall with some cozy PJ’s, sensual bath treats, or sassy lingerie. Go early, beat the crowds, and explore your sexy side.
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