# Stella Maxwell
**Stella Maxwell** (born 1991) is a fashion model who was born in Belgium to Northern Irish parents, raised in New Zealand, and became a Victoria's Secret Angel in 2015. She has fronted campaigns for Versace, Moschino, Alexander McQueen, Victoria's Secret, and [Calvin Klein](https://www.edgepedia.org/calvin-klein), and walked the runway for Chanel, Fendi, Miu Miu, and Jacquemus, among others.[1](https://models.com/models/stella-maxwell)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 1991 in Belgium, to parents from Northern Ireland[2](https://www.who2.com/bio/stella-maxwell/) |
| Upbringing | A year in Australia at age 13, then Wellington, New Zealand[3](https://www.vogue.in/content/stella-maxwell-victorias-secret-fashion-show-2017-model-profile) |
| Discovery | While studying at the University of Otago, signed instantly by a local agency after a hairdresser suggested modeling[3](https://www.vogue.in/content/stella-maxwell-victorias-secret-fashion-show-2017-model-profile) |
| Victoria's Secret | First show in 2014; Angel (contracted spokesmodel) from 2015[3](https://www.vogue.in/content/stella-maxwell-victorias-secret-fashion-show-2017-model-profile) |
| Runway record | 96 documented appearances in the Big Four cities (New York, London, Milan, Paris) from Spring/Summer 2010 to Spring/Summer 2026[4](https://tectova.com/talent/stella-maxwell) |
| Honors | Daily Front Row Model of the Year (2017) and Fashion Icon of the Year (2021)[1](https://models.com/models/stella-maxwell) |
| Advocacy | Ambassador for GLAAD and Pride Live's Stonewall Day; cover of The Advocate; Calvin Klein 2024 Pride campaign[1](https://models.com/models/stella-maxwell) |
## Early life and discovery
Maxwell had what Vogue India called an extraordinarily international upbringing. Born in Belgium to Northern Irish parents, she spent a year in Australia at age 13 before the family settled in Wellington, New Zealand.[3](https://www.vogue.in/content/stella-maxwell-victorias-secret-fashion-show-2017-model-profile) She has described losing the French she had spoken in Belgium after moving to New Zealand at age 10, where English was spoken all the time.[5](https://www.elle.com/beauty/makeup-skin-care/news/a46983/stella-maxwell-interview/)
**Entry into modeling.** While studying at the [University of Otago](https://www.edgepedia.org/university-of-otago), a hairdresser suggested she try modeling, and she went to see Aliana McDaniel, then owner of a local agency. She was signed on the spot and soon moved to Paris.[3](https://www.vogue.in/content/stella-maxwell-victorias-secret-fashion-show-2017-model-profile) Her first international work came in 2009, when she appeared in British Vogue's October edition in photographs by [Mario Testino](https://www.edgepedia.org/mario-testino), shot a lookbook campaign for [Alexander McQueen](https://www.edgepedia.org/alexander-mcqueen), and walked in Fashion East and Luella shows during London Fashion Week.[3](https://www.vogue.in/content/stella-maxwell-victorias-secret-fashion-show-2017-model-profile) Models.com listed her among its Newfaces on October 30, 2009.[1](https://models.com/models/stella-maxwell)
## Victoria's Secret
Maxwell walked her first [Victoria's Secret](https://www.edgepedia.org/victorias-secret) show in 2014 and was made an Angel a year later, joining the brand's contracted group of spokesmodels.[3](https://www.vogue.in/content/stella-maxwell-victorias-secret-fashion-show-2017-model-profile) At the time, British Vogue described her as the only British Angel, noting that she was born in Brussels and holds both British and Irish passports.[6](https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/stella-maxwell-victorias-secret-angels-group-texts) She appeared in the brand's advertising and television specials, and became the face of the Victoria's Secret fragrance.[2](https://www.who2.com/bio/stella-maxwell/) • [7](https://www.vogue.fr/mode/mannequins/articles/profil-top-victorias-secret-fashion-show-2017-stella-maxwell/57971) By 2017 she had walked three consecutive shows, including the Shanghai edition that November, and had missed none since her 2014 debut.[3](https://www.vogue.in/content/stella-maxwell-victorias-secret-fashion-show-2017-model-profile) • [7](https://www.vogue.fr/mode/mannequins/articles/profil-top-victorias-secret-fashion-show-2017-stella-maxwell/57971)
Her association with the brand has outlasted the Angel era. She walked in the 2025 [Victoria's Secret Fashion Show](https://www.edgepedia.org/victorias-secret-fashion-show) on October 15, 2025, appearing in a cast that [Marie Claire](https://www.edgepedia.org/marie-claire) noted ranged from returning veterans to newcomers.[1](https://models.com/models/stella-maxwell) • [8](https://www.marieclaire.com/fashion/victorias-secret-fashion-show-2025-models/)
## Campaigns, editorials, and recognition
Beyond Victoria's Secret, Maxwell has walked for Chanel, Jeremy Scott, Versace, Balmain, and [Philipp Plein](https://www.edgepedia.org/philipp-plein), and has appeared on the covers of Vogue Brasil, Turkey, Germany, and Spain.[3](https://www.vogue.in/content/stella-maxwell-victorias-secret-fashion-show-2017-model-profile) Models.com credits her with campaigns for Versace, Moschino, Alexander McQueen, and Calvin Klein, and runway work for [Miu Miu](https://www.edgepedia.org/miu-miu), Fendi, and Jacquemus, with covers for Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Numéro, CR Fashion Book, and V, among others.[1](https://models.com/models/stella-maxwell) In 2016 she joined [Max Factor](https://www.edgepedia.org/max-factor) as a global brand ambassador.[3](https://www.vogue.in/content/stella-maxwell-victorias-secret-fashion-show-2017-model-profile) Vogue France counted three international Vogue covers for her in 2017 alone, the year she also appeared in David Guetta's music video "2U" alongside other Victoria's Secret models.[7](https://www.vogue.fr/mode/mannequins/articles/profil-top-victorias-secret-fashion-show-2017-stella-maxwell/57971)
Industry recognition includes Daily Front Row's Model of the Year in 2017 and Fashion Icon of the Year in 2021.[1](https://models.com/models/stella-maxwell) Maxim's own media materials describe her as named the world's most beautiful woman by the magazine.[9](https://www.directactionmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/MAXIM-2018-Media-Kit.pdf) FashionDB's database records 194 editorial and campaign credits and a runway history of 148 shows, with a peak runway rank of #139 in 2016.[10](https://fashiondb.com/models/stella-maxwell)
## Advocacy and business ventures
Maxwell is a vocal advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community. She serves as an ambassador for GLAAD and for Pride Live's Stonewall Day, has appeared on the cover of [The Advocate](https://www.edgepedia.org/the-advocate-magazine), and starred in Calvin Klein's 2024 Pride campaign, shot by Gordon von Steiner.[1](https://models.com/models/stella-maxwell) Her 2020 Advocate cover story framed her public identity around newfound comfort and expression in her identity.[11](https://www.advocate.com/exclusives/2020/9/21/supermodel-stella-maxwell-queer-girl-next-door)
**Peropero.** In 2024 she co-founded Peropero, a luxury pet grooming brand. The name comes from the Japanese term for a dog's licking, and the company says it was created to bring personalized, high-quality pet care to market.[1](https://models.com/models/stella-maxwell) [Animal welfare](https://www.edgepedia.org/animal-welfare) is a long-standing interest: in a 2017 Vogue interview she named promoting pet adoption among her goals and spoke of eventually starting a foundation for cancer research.[12](https://www.vogue.com/article/stella-maxwell-victorias-secret-angel-runway-model)
## Representation and public profile
Maxwell is represented by The Lions in New York, Elite Model Management in Paris and Milan, and MINT Artist Management in Berlin.[1](https://models.com/models/stella-maxwell) Her Instagram audience is about 9.2 to 9.3 million followers.[1](https://models.com/models/stella-maxwell) • [10](https://fashiondb.com/models/stella-maxwell) Sources differ on some personal details: models.com lists her nationality as Ireland and her height as 5'10" (178 cm), while Vogue India's 2017 profile gave her nationality as British and Irish and her height as 5'9".[1](https://models.com/models/stella-maxwell) • [3](https://www.vogue.in/content/stella-maxwell-victorias-secret-fashion-show-2017-model-profile) Her romantic life has drawn press attention, including a reported 2015 relationship with singer [Miley Cyrus](https://www.edgepedia.org/miley-cyrus) that neither party confirmed, and a relationship with actress [Kristen Stewart](https://www.edgepedia.org/kristen-stewart) beginning in late 2016.[3](https://www.vogue.in/content/stella-maxwell-victorias-secret-fashion-show-2017-model-profile)
## References
1. [Stella Maxwell – Model Profile, Models.com](https://models.com/models/stella-maxwell)
2. [Stella Maxwell Biography, Who2](https://www.who2.com/bio/stella-maxwell/)
3. [Stella Maxwell: Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2017 – Model Profile, Vogue India](https://www.vogue.in/content/stella-maxwell-victorias-secret-fashion-show-2017-model-profile)
4. [Stella Maxwell, Model: 96 Big Four Runway Shows, Tectova](https://tectova.com/talent/stella-maxwell)
5. [Victoria's Secret Angel Stella Maxwell Stocks Up on Wellness Pills and Tim Tams, Elle](https://www.elle.com/beauty/makeup-skin-care/news/a46983/stella-maxwell-interview/)
6. [Stella's Secret Circle, British Vogue](https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/stella-maxwell-victorias-secret-angels-group-texts)
7. [Profil de top du Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2017 : Stella Maxwell, Vogue France](https://www.vogue.fr/mode/mannequins/articles/profil-top-victorias-secret-fashion-show-2017-stella-maxwell/57971)
8. [The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show Models Demonstrate What an Inclusive Runway Looks Like, Marie Claire](https://www.marieclaire.com/fashion/victorias-secret-fashion-show-2025-models/)
9. [Barometer of Top Fashion Talent, Maxim 2018 Media Kit](https://www.directactionmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/MAXIM-2018-Media-Kit.pdf)
10. [Stella Maxwell — Fashion Model, FashionDB](https://fashiondb.com/models/stella-maxwell)
11. [Supermodel Stella Maxwell is the Queer Girl Next Door, The Advocate](https://www.advocate.com/exclusives/2020/9/21/supermodel-stella-maxwell-queer-girl-next-door)
12. [Model Stella Maxwell on Walking Victoria's Secret and Her Philanthropic Ambitions, Vogue](https://www.vogue.com/article/stella-maxwell-victorias-secret-angel-runway-model)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Visual arts and design › Fashion, design, and applied arts › Fashion models*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 12, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license