She was the first South African model to walk in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show
Swanepoel first began working with Victoria’s Secret in 2007, walking in their annual Fashion Show every year since. In 2010, she was named an official Victoria’s Secret Angel, and has been being groomed to be the face of the brand since 2013. She was also the first South African to top the “Maxim” Hot 100 list.
Swanepoel actually ate more leading up to the 2014 VS Fashion Show
Contrary to the belief that all models need to starve themselves in order to stay in industry shape, Swanepoel said she actually ate more leading up to the big show. In an interview with “Fox and Friends,” she said, “Everyone’s different. Everyone’s body is different. I have to eat a lot more to be able to work out a lot more…I do boxing. I do Pilates on the machine. I do a lot of lunges. I ran on the beach this year, which really tightens everything up.”
She wore a $10-million bra at the 2013 VS Fashion Show
Swanepoel was picked to don Victoria’s Secret Royal Fantasy Bra in the 2014 show, worth $10 million USD. The bra was created by the world-renown Mouawad diamond jewelry company, and features more than 4,200 precious gems including rubies, diamonds, and yellow sapphires with a 52-carat ruby in the middle. The entire bra is inlaid with 18-carat gold. It is Victoria’s Secret’s most expensive bra since 2005 when Gisele Bündchen wore the Sexy Splendor Fantasy Bra.
Swanepoel considers Brazil one of her favorite places in the world
Having first traveled to Brazil with her boyfriend at the age of 17, Swanepoel loves going there. In an interview with “10” magazine, she said, “No one knows anything about the fashion industry in Brazil. They don’t care what you do. They just want the beach and the sun and the fun. I feel the freest and happiest there. There, I can just be the normal Candice.”
She names the 70s and 80s as her style inspiration
In an interview with “Into the Gloss,” Swanepoel said that her style inspiration comes from the fashion of the 1970s and 1980s, “All of my jeans are high waisted because I think they make me look like Farrah Fawcett – I’ll try to feather my hair, too.
But I also love the big curls of the 80s. My mom was an aerobics teacher back then and she permed her hair and wore these huge earrings and high-cut thong leotards. She had the best style.”