Devon Windsor

Devon Windsor is an American fashion model and entrepreneur known for her work with Victoria’s Secret, major editorial campaigns, and her own swimwear line. This article explores her early life, ascent in modeling, business ventures, public persona, and memorable quotes.

Introduction

Devon Elizabeth Windsor (born March 7, 1994) is a prominent American model and fashion personality, recognized especially for her runway appearances in Victoria’s Secret Fashion Shows (2013–2018) and her collaborations with top global brands. Over time, she has expanded her brand into design, media, and social influence. Her journey from a teenager in St. Louis to an international model and entrepreneur offers insight into ambition, resilience, and personal branding in the modern fashion world.

Early Life and Family

Devon Windsor was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, to parents Charles and Lisa Windsor.

She attended Mary Institute and St. Louis Country Day School, where she participated in sports such as field hockey, lacrosse, and tennis. Her Midwestern upbringing and family support provided a grounding influence as she entered the competitive world of modeling.

Youth, Discovery & Entry into Modeling

Windsor was discovered at age 14 by local fashion photographer Suzy Gorman in St. Louis. West Model & Talent Management in St. Louis and began doing local fashion work and small publications.

While still in high school, she also signed with Vision Model Management and took trips to Los Angeles for work.

Her international runway breakthrough came in 2013, most notably by walking for Prada in September of that year — a significant turning point.

By late 2013, Windsor was being noted by industry watchers: she was named a “Top Newcomer” by and placed on their “Hot List” that year.

Career and Achievements

Rise in the Runway & orial World

Between 2013 and 2015, Windsor walked in over 130 shows across fashion capitals such as New York, London, Paris, and Milan. Alexander McQueen, Chanel, Dior, Versace, Stella McCartney, Michael Kors, and more.

Simultaneous with her runway work, Windsor built her editorial portfolio. She has appeared in international editions of Vogue, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, Numéro, and others. Michael Kors, Balmain, H&M, Forever 21, Nordstrom, and more.

Victoria’s Secret & Public Visibility

One of Windsor’s signature achievements is her long run in Victoria’s Secret Fashion Shows, participating from 2013 through 2018.

Her visibility on that platform helped broaden her appeal and brand recognition, giving her access to a broader consumer and media audience beyond high fashion.

Media, Television & Entrepreneurship

Beyond modeling, Windsor has expanded into television and business:

• In 2016 she appeared on MasterChef Celebrity Showdown, competing in a cooking challenge alongside fellow model Gigi Hadid.

• She starred in Model Squad on E!, giving viewers insight into the fashion industry and model life.

• In 2019, she launched her own swimwear line under her name (Devon Windsor), blending her modeling experience with design and entrepreneurship.

Her multi-pronged approach—modeling, media, and brand-building—demonstrates a modern model’s path toward longevity.

Historical Milestones & Context

While Windsor is not a historical political figure, several key milestones mark her evolving career:

• 2013 Prada Runway Debut: A pivot from emerging model to international runway presence.

• Victoria’s Secret Tenure (2013–2018): Cemented her recognition among mass-market and fashion audiences.

• Launch of Her Swimwear Brand: Transition from talent to creator/brand owner.

• Media & Reality Exposure: Bridging the gap between fashion industry insider and public-facing personality (via Model Squad, etc.).

Within the evolving fashion industry, Windsor’s career reflects how models today must diversify across media, branding, and business to sustain relevance.

Legacy and Influence

Devon Windsor’s longer-term legacy is still developing, but several aspects stand out:

• Model-to-Entrepreneur Blueprint: She exemplifies the model who transitions into owning a brand, not just licensing her image.

• Public Transparency: Through reality shows and social media, she’s offered more visibility into the day-to-day behind modeling—humanizing the profession.

• Influence in Beauty & Wellness: Her shared routines, fitness, skin care, and lifestyle content influence aspiring models and fans.

• Advocacy & Accountability: In 2018, she made headlines and later apologized for insensitive remarks about diversity and modeling industry discrimination. This episode triggered discussion about responsibility, cultural awareness, and growth among public figures in fashion.

Her path shows both the opportunities and pitfalls of high visibility in an industry increasingly scrutinized for its cultural and social impact.

Personality, Skills & Style

Devon Windsor’s personal qualities and approach help explain her sustained success:

• Work Ethic & Discipline: She often emphasizes how active she needs to be and how important balance is in her life.

• Authenticity in Brand: She has expressed that she wants to be booked for being herself, not a mold of someone else.

• Adaptability: Maneuvering between high fashion, commercial campaigns, media, and business demands flexibility and resilience.

• Relatability: Through sharing her cooking, routines, struggles with hair maintenance, etc., she cultivates relatability alongside the glamour.

• Self-Reflection & Growth: Her public apology and later statements show a capacity to learn and evolve, essential for long-term public figures.

Her style is often clean, polished, with a leaning toward minimalist or elevated casual looks, allowing her versatility across runway, editorial, and lifestyle settings.

Famous Quotes of Devon Windsor

Here are several notable quotes attributed to Devon Windsor, reflecting her views on modeling, wellness, and authenticity:

“I want to build a brand for myself and get booked for being me, while others will get booked for being them.”

“You know how hard it is to be blonde? I have to get a highlight every month! Do you know how expensive that is?”

“Not everyone’s going to love you or what you do. Someone’s always going to complain about something.”

“I really love Pilates. It lengthens and strengthens without bulking the muscles.”

“I am a huge fan of the supermodels from the ’80s and ’90s … My ultimate favorite is Daniela Pestova.”

“Nobody cares if you’re on the cover of a magazine!”

“I feel like you can eat everything that you want in moderation.”

These quotes illustrate her emphasis on self-identity, discipline, and the less glamorous realities behind modeling.

Lessons from Devon Windsor

From Devon Windsor’s life and career, we can draw several broader lessons:

1. Diversify your identity
   Don’t rely solely on one role (e.g. model). Windsor expanded into media and entrepreneurship to build a sustainable platform.

2. Be true to your personal brand
   Her desire to be “booked for being me” highlights the importance of authenticity in a crowded field.

3. Embrace public scrutiny and growth
   Her misstep around diversity and her subsequent apology shows that public figures must be open to accountability and growth.

4. Balance glamour with grit
   Behind the runway is a regimen of fitness, skin care, discipline, and resilience. Success doesn’t come without effort.

5. Leverage visibility, responsibly
   As you gain influence, it’s important to use it thoughtfully—towards inclusion, sensitivity, and positive example rather than ignoring deeper issues.

Conclusion

Devon Windsor represents a modern exemplar of how modeling in the 21st century can evolve into a multi-faceted career. From her discovery at 14, through high fashion runways and Victoria’s Secret stages, to brand building and media presence, she has continuously expanded her boundaries. Her journey is not without controversy or challenge, but that very tension underscores the realities of visibility, influence, and responsibility in fashion.

Her story reminds us: success in creative professions often demands reinvention, authenticity, and courage to face critiques. For fans of fashion, entrepreneurship, or personal branding, there is much to glean from Windsor’s ascent—and much more yet to be written.