Five minutes with… Candice Swanepoel

Last month, Victoria’s Secret announced that it would stage its fist-pumping, booty-shaking phenomenon of a catwalk show in London for the first time ever.

Former ELLE cover star – and the Angel with the honour of wearing the VS Fantasy bra last year – Candice Swanepoel talks us through it…

When it comes to preparing for the show, I put a lot of pressure on myself. Probably about a month before, it will be in my mind to start working out a lot more than I usually do. And really eating a lot more to be able to work out a lot more.

It has to become a part of your lifestyle, staying healthy and working out when you’re a Victoria’s Secret Angel, because we sell lingerie and we sell it all year round. So it’s not really a last-minute rush to get in shape; you just try to be your best during that time.

The thing for me is, before the shows I have to eat a lot more than I usually do – and I eat a lot normally anyway. I don’t do a lot of cardio. I have a very fast metabolism, and I have to build more muscle, which is a slower workout with weights. So I don’t have that thing of indulging in anything afterwards. It’s kind just not having the pressure of thinking about what I’m eating.

When I’m on the catwalk – beyond trying to calm myself down and being like, don’t fall! – it’s really kind of a proud moment. I reminisce on how many years, and all that we’ve been thorugh during that year. So it’s funny: when I walk down the runway, I get full of goosebumps. Because it’s such a strong energy. And then I’m thinking, oh my gosh, everyone can see my goosebumps.