Stella Maxwell
A chameleon on the catwalk, this model's androgynous charm and punk-inflected elegance redefined the look of global lingerie and beauty campaigns.
Born 1990 (age 36)·British and Irish Model·Birthday: May 15·Millennials
Biography
Stella Maxwell's modeling career is a tale of geographic fluidity and aesthetic versatility. Born in Belgium, raised in New Zealand, and holding British and Irish citizenship, her global upbringing translated into a look that defied easy categorization. She broke through not with classic glamour, but with a cool, off-duty rock-and-roll edge that caught the eye of major fashion houses. Her association with Victoria's Secret, culminating in her designation as an Angel, placed her in the industry's most visible lingerie showcase, yet she consistently brought a distinctive, less-polished energy to the role. Simultaneously, she became the face of Max Factor, anchoring major beauty campaigns with a more accessible glamour. Maxwell's presence on runways from Marc Jacobs to Miu Miu proved her high-fashion credibility, making her a bridge between commercial megabrands and the avant-garde.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Stella was born in 1990, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Stella Was Born
The biggest hits of 1990
#1 Movie
Home Alone
Best Picture
Dances with Wolves
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Stella's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1990Born
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1995Started school
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
2003Became a teenager
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2006Could drive
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2008Could vote
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2011Turned 21
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2020Turned 30
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 36 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Served as a Victoria's Secret Angel, walking in the brand's annual fashion show multiple times.
- Named a global ambassador and the face of the cosmetics brand Max Factor.
- Walked in high-profile runway shows for designers including Marc Jacobs, Miu Miu, and Jeremy Scott.
Did You Know?
She lived in over five countries, including Belgium, Australia, and New Zealand, before she was 14.
Maxwell studied politics at university in London before being scouted for modeling.
She is left-handed.
She has a small tattoo of a star on her left wrist.
“My look is androgynous, and that became my signature.”
