LEOMIE ANDERSON has become the first black British Victoria’s Secret angel.

The 26-year-old, who hails from south London, has modelled the brand’s designs in its renowned fashion show for four years in a row. She has also worked with numerous top luxury fashion brands, including Moschino, Ralph Lauren and Tom Ford, and appeared in major beauty campaigns for Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty and Pat McGrath.

As well as being the first black British woman appointed to the role, Anderson is also the brand’s first ever dark-skinned angel.

Her appointment, which comes two weeks after models Barbara Palvin and Alexina Graham were also made angels, follows criticism of the brand’s diversity in relation to race and body shapes and sizes.

As an angel, Anderson will have a prominent role as a spokesmodel for the brand.

She follows in the footsteps of Tyra Banks, Adrian Lima and Gisele Bündchen, who have all held the title in the past.

“I just love being able to show my who I am and show my personality and Victoria’s Secret is the perfect platform for that,” Anderson said in a video announcing her appointment.

On Instagram, Anderson wrote: “Mate I am still in shock…this is something I was even scared to dream about because I never thought it would come true but I am insanely excited to announce that I am Victoria’s Secret’s newest ANGEL!! I can’t even believe it.”

MODEL BEHAVIOUR: Leomie Anderson walking the Victoria’s Secret fashion show runway in 2017

The road to becoming a Victoria’s Secret angel was not a smooth one for Anderson. Before she was first cast in the fashion show, she was rejected twice. But she persevered and made her debut in 2015.
Speaking about her experience of landing a spot on the runway, she told Vogue in 2015: “It was my third casting for [Victoria’s Secret], and when I came in I said, ‘Third time’s a charm—I didn’t install this weave for nothing!’ That lightened the mood a bit. I figured I’ll just show my personality, and if they like it, they like it; if they don’t, they don’t. It paid off in the end.”