The Angel Raised by Rainbow
Josephine Skriver was born through IVF to a gay mother and a gay father in Copenhagen, Denmark. She grew up in one of the most progressive countries in the world, in a family that was unconventional even by Danish standards. She became a Victoria's Secret Angel, one of the most commercially successful models of her generation, and one of the fashion industry's most visible LGBTQ+ advocates.
Her story is about what happens when a child of love becomes a symbol of love.
The Copenhagen Childhood
Born in 1993, Skriver's family story was unusual. Her mother is a lesbian, her father is a gay man, and they decided together to have children through in vitro fertilization. Skriver and her brother grew up in a household defined by love, openness, and the understanding that family does not require convention.
Denmark legalized same-sex civil partnerships in 1989 — the first country in the world to do so. Skriver grew up in a society that, while not perfect, was decades ahead of most of the world in its acceptance of LGBTQ+ families.
The Modeling Career
Scouted at 15 on the streets of Copenhagen, Skriver's career developed rapidly:
- Moved to New York to pursue modeling full-time
- Debuted at New York Fashion Week in 2011
- Walked for Balenciaga, Dolce & Gabbana, Alberta Ferretti, and Tommy Hilfiger
- First walked the VS Fashion Show in 2013
- Named a Victoria's Secret Angel in 2016
Her look — tall, blonde, athletic, with striking cheekbones — was classically Scandinavian and perfectly suited to the VS aesthetic. She walked the show from 2013 through 2018, appearing in six consecutive shows.
The Advocacy
What made Skriver more than a beautiful face was her decision to use her platform for LGBTQ+ advocacy. She co-founded Rainbow in Your Heart, an initiative promoting acceptance and visibility for LGBTQ+ families.
Her advocacy was personal, not performative:
- She spoke openly about her family structure in interviews and on social media
- She marched in Pride parades and participated in LGBTQ+ events
- She used her Victoria's Secret platform — one of the most mainstream, heteronormative platforms in fashion — to normalize LGBTQ+ families
- She shared stories about her parents with warmth, humor, and zero apology
The contrast was powerful. Victoria's Secret, a brand built on traditional male-gaze sexuality, had an Angel whose very existence was a testament to LGBTQ+ love and family building.
The Musical Connection
Skriver's relationship with musician Alexander DeLeon (formerly of The Cab) added another dimension to her public persona. The couple shared a passion for music, and Skriver has been involved in musical projects and performances.
Their engagement and subsequent marriage connected her to the music world in ways that enhanced her cultural footprint beyond fashion.
The Professional Portfolio
Beyond Victoria's Secret, Skriver built an impressive body of work:
- Major campaigns for Bulgari, Tommy Hilfiger, and Victoria's Secret fragrances
- Vogue covers across European and Asian editions
- Sports partnerships leveraging her athletic lifestyle
- Social media influence with millions of followers engaging with her fitness and advocacy content
Why She Matters
Josephine Skriver proved that a Victoria's Secret Angel could be both a fantasy figure and a real person with a complex, meaningful story. She wore wings on a runway designed to appeal to traditional ideals of femininity, and she went home to a family that redefined what family means.
She did not see these things as contradictions. Neither should anyone else.
Born through IVF to gay parents in Copenhagen. Victoria's Secret Angel at 23. Josephine Skriver wore her wings for everyone — especially the families that look like hers.