Karolína Kurková (born February 28, 1984 in Děčín, Czech Republic) is a Czech supermodel, best known as a Victoria’s Secret angel.

Career

After a friend sent photos of Kurková to an agency in Prague, Kurková immediately landed a runway appearance, as well as a commercial and print ad. She later traveled to Milan to gain more experience. There, Miuccia Prada, the designer behind the brand Prada, signed her to a modeling contract.

In September 1999, Kurková met with Vogue editors in New York City, then she moved to New York permanently. At seventeen years old, Kurková landed a spot on the cover of the February 2001 issue of Vogue. Kurková was now recognized at haute couture fashion shows, and lingerie brand Victoria’s Secret chose her to be a part of that year’s televised fashion show special. Prominent fashion houses such as Yves Saint-Laurent signed Kurková to modeling contracts. Print campaigns for Tommy Hilfiger, Valentino, and others helped expose Kurková even more, while she headlined the second Victoria’s Secret show the following year. She was named “Model of the Year” at the 2002 VH1/Vogue Fashion Awards. Kurková later signed contracts with designers including Ralph Lauren, Óscar de la Renta, Chanel and Balenciaga.

Most recently, Kurková has appeared on the cover of Korea’s W, as well as the Greek Vogue. Kurková has been featured in fashion spreads in most major fashion magazines including UK, U.S., and French Vogue (as well as other international versions of Vogue), Vanity Fair, The Face, and W. She has worked with well-known fashion photographers including Steven Klein, Mario Sorrenti, and Mario Testino.

She was also featured in the 2006 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.

Kurková is also set to make her film debut alongside Frankie Muniz, Harvey Keitel and Amber Valletta in Howard Himelstein’s coming-of-age dramedy, My Sexiest Year.

Praise

Mario Testino said of Kurková, “The proportions of her body and her face, as well as her energy level, make her a model who could fit almost into any moment.” Designer Marc Jacobs said, “She has an angelic look with a dark side, she’s sweet and fun but looks like she could be an evil bewitching child.” Vogue editor Anna Wintour called her the “next supermodel.”

Personal

Kurková was born to a Czech father (basketball player Josef Kurka) and Slovak mother. As a child, her height made her relatively awkward and gangly.

Kurková lives in New York’s TriBeCa district and enjoys courtside basketball games at Madison Square Garden.

In March 2006, Kurková received an award from the non-profit organization, Women Together, for her humanitarian work. Kurková was honored for working for the welfare of children through organizations such as “The Beautiful Life Fund”, “Free Arts” and “Global Youth Action Network”.