But Victoria's Secret, says one model, hands out the most coveted jobs in modeling -- mainly, because they are the most lucrative.
Women's Wear Daily caught up with model Sara Sampaio as part of its ongoing "Model Call" series, asking the rising star about her aspirations as she gains entry into the cutthroat industry.
Her first request when she began, she said, was to do Victoria's Secret. Her agency booked her that very first day and at age 20, she's now posed for the brand twice. So, asked WWD, maybe you'll land the coveted title of Angel one day?
Fingers crossed. They pay so, so well. That’s a money job you want. Those girls don’t need to do any other jobs. They’re set. But I also want to do high fashion. I want to have a balance.
Spoken honestly, like a true, as-yet-uncorrupt newbie.
It makes perfect sense that the lingerie mega-retailer would provide modeling's biggest payday. It's how Gisele Bundchen, world's richest supermodel, truly became a household name, earning her Angel wings in 2000 as her career took flight. Same goes for Alessandra Ambrosio, Miranda Kerr and Candice Swanepoel.
And while women flip though high fashion ads and admire couture from afar, they actually get up and go shopping at their local Victoria's Secret, delivering plenty of revenue both in North America and now in the UK, too -- the retailer is opening its first London outposts next summer.
Which means, of course, more modeling jobs for girls like Sara Sampaio. Let's just hope she avoids some of Victoria's Secret's more uncomfortable get-ups...