1. Overview
Romee Strijd, born on July 19, 1995, is a Dutch model widely recognized for her significant career in the fashion industry. She achieved global prominence as a Victoria's Secret Angel, a role she held from 2015 until 2021, participating in the brand's annual fashion show between 2014 and 2018. Throughout her career, Strijd has collaborated with numerous high-profile fashion houses, including Alexander McQueen, Michael Kors, and Carolina Herrera. Her work has been featured in prestigious fashion magazines such as Vogue, Elle, and Harper's Bazaar. Beyond traditional modeling, Strijd has also cultivated a substantial digital presence through her popular YouTube channel.
2. Early Life and Background
Romee Strijd's formative years in the Netherlands laid the foundation for her eventual career in modeling, a path she pursued after careful consideration and a commitment to completing her education.
2.1. Childhood and Education
Strijd was born in Zoetermeer, a city in the province of South Holland, Netherlands. She has one younger sister named Ise Strijd. Her initial encounter with the modeling world occurred at the age of 13 when a scout approached her in Amsterdam. However, due to her nervousness and a desire to pursue other aspirations at the time, she declined the opportunity. After a two-year hiatus, at the age of 15, she decided to explore modeling professionally. Despite her early entry into the industry, Strijd temporarily left school to fully immerse herself in modeling. At 17, she returned to the Netherlands to complete her education, finding the demands of the modeling career overwhelming and experiencing homesickness. Upon graduating, she reaffirmed her passion for modeling and relocated to New York City to further her career.
2.2. Early Modeling Experience
Following her decision to re-enter modeling at 15, Romee Strijd signed with DNA Model Management in 2011. Her initial professional assignments took her to major fashion capitals including Milan, Paris, and New York City. During this early period, she worked for prominent brands such as Burberry, Louis Vuitton, and Prada, gaining valuable experience before taking a brief break from the industry.
3. Modeling Career
Romee Strijd's modeling career is marked by a rapid ascent through the fashion industry, characterized by her affiliations with top agencies, extensive editorial work, appearances on major runways, and a prominent role as a Victoria's Secret Angel, alongside various campaigns and brand ambassadorships.
3.1. Agencies and Early Career
Romee Strijd began her professional journey by signing with DNA Model Management at the age of 15. In her early career, she spent two years working in international fashion hubs like Milan, Paris, and New York City, collaborating with luxury brands such as Burberry, Louis Vuitton, and Prada. In March 2017, a significant move in her career saw her become represented by IMG Models, one of the world's leading modeling agencies.
3.2. Editorial and Magazine Work
Strijd has made extensive appearances in editorials for various international editions of renowned fashion magazines. Her work includes features in British, German, Spanish, Turkish, Japanese, and Dutch editions of Vogue; French, Italian, and Dutch editions of Elle; Spanish and Greek editions of Harper's Bazaar; Dutch Marie Claire; and French Madame Figaro.
She has also graced the covers of several prominent publications. These include various international versions of Vogue, Unconditional Magazine, Harper's Bazaar, Exit, Elle, and Maxim. A notable cover appearance was for the November 2020 issue of Dutch Vogue, where she posed at 26 weeks pregnant. This particular feature was significant as Strijd's personal journey inspired the magazine to dedicate the entire issue to the theme of motherhood.
3.3. Runway Appearances
Romee Strijd has established a strong presence on the global runway, walking for a diverse array of high-fashion designers and luxury brands. Her notable runway appearances include shows for Alexander McQueen, Badgley Mischka, Balmain, Burberry, Calvin Klein, Celine, Christopher Kane, DKNY, Jeremy Scott, Donna Karan, EDUN, Giambattista Valli, Hussein Chalayan, Isabel Marant, Jil Sander, Jill Stuart, Kenzo, Loewe, Louis Vuitton, Marchesa, Michael Kors, Nina Ricci, Peter Som, Phillip Lim, Prabal Gurung, Prada, Rag & Bone, Rochas, Roland Mouret, Vera Wang, Off-White, and Victoria's Secret.
3.4. Victoria's Secret
Romee Strijd's association with Victoria's Secret marks a pivotal chapter in her modeling career. She made her debut as one of the newcomers at the highly anticipated Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in 2014. Her role within the brand solidified in 2015 when she was officially named a Victoria's Secret Angel. As an Angel, she continued to appear in the brand's annual fashion shows from 2014 to 2018. A notable highlight of her tenure was in 2018, when she was selected to wear the prestigious Shooting Star Swarovski Look during the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. She maintained her status as a Victoria's Secret Angel until 2021.
3.5. Campaigns and Brand Ambassadorships
Strijd has been a prominent face in numerous advertising campaigns for a wide range of fashion and beauty brands. Her campaign work includes collaborations with Carolina Herrera, Alexander McQueen, Donna Karan, Stradivarius, Michael Kors, Giuseppe Zanotti, H&M, Juicy Couture, Victoria's Secret, and Marchesa. Demonstrating her expanded influence, in 2018, Romee Strijd also became a brand ambassador for the popular Australian swimwear label Seafolly.
4. Digital Activities
Beyond her traditional modeling engagements, Romee Strijd has successfully leveraged digital platforms to connect with a broader audience, primarily through her popular YouTube channel.
4.1. YouTube Channel
Romee Strijd launched her YouTube channel on July 16, 2017, diversifying her career into digital content creation. Her channel features a variety of content, including personal vlogs, behind-the-scenes glimpses into her modeling work, and beauty-related videos. As of 2023, her YouTube channel has amassed a significant following, with over 1.86 million subscribers and a cumulative total of 190 million views across her videos, showcasing her considerable influence in the digital space.
5. Personal Life
Romee Strijd's personal life is characterized by a long-term relationship that blossomed into marriage and parenthood, alongside her openness about a significant health journey.
5.1. Relationship and Family
Since January 2010, Romee Strijd has been in a committed relationship with Laurens van Leeuwen. Laurens is the son of Bert van Leeuwen, a well-known Dutch television presenter. The couple announced their engagement on January 25, 2022. They have officially obtained their marriage certificate in the United States and have publicly stated their intention to hold a more formal wedding ceremony in the future.
5.2. Children
In May 2020, Romee Strijd and Laurens van Leeuwen shared the news that they were expecting their first child, a daughter. Their daughter, named Mint, was born on December 2, 2020. Two years later, in May 2022, the couple announced that they were expecting their second child. In June of the same year, they revealed that they were expecting another baby girl. Their second daughter, June, was born on November 11, 2022.
5.3. Health
Romee Strijd has openly discussed her struggle with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), a condition she battled for several years. She has attributed the development of her PCOS, in part, to the rigorous demands of her modeling career, specifically highlighting the impact of maintaining a specific weight and engaging in high-intensity workouts, which she felt were detrimental to her body. After consciously prioritizing her health and adopting a more balanced lifestyle, she successfully regained her menstrual cycle after experiencing its absence for seven years, underscoring her journey toward recovery and well-being.
6. Influence and Recognition
Romee Strijd's influence extends significantly within the fashion industry and across various digital platforms. Her status as a Victoria's Secret Angel from 2015 to 2021 cemented her position as one of the most recognizable faces in high fashion, allowing her to showcase her presence on prestigious runways and in global campaigns for renowned brands like Alexander McQueen and Michael Kors. Beyond the traditional modeling world, her strategic embrace of digital media, particularly her popular YouTube channel launched in 2017, has enabled her to connect directly with millions of fans worldwide. Through her vlogs and beauty content, she offers insights into her life, further amplifying her reach and solidifying her role as a prominent figure in both fashion and digital spheres. Her openness about personal health challenges, such as her journey with PCOS, has also contributed to her recognition as an authentic and influential public figure.