There must be something to growing up on a diet of milk, cheese and potatoes.  Here are 12 Dutch models who have made the big time. Having a name beginning with Y would seem to help as well

Karen Mulder:  born 1970 in Vlaardingen, shared the catwalk with Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Claudia Schiffer and Cindy Crawford – and at her peak commanded almost €12,000 per day.

Later on Karen became better known for her mental health issues including a suicide attempt, threats towards her plastic surgeon, and accusations of being sexually abused by an Elite Model Management president, her father, and Prince Albert of Monaco.

Doutzen Kroes: this Victoria’s Secret Angel was born in Eastermar in 1985.  Doutzen graced the covers of most major fashion magazines and is the face of two Calvin Klein perfumes:  White and Eternity.

Married to DJ Sunnery James and with a baby, Doutzen began her acting career in the first 3D Dutch film:  Nova Zembla, in 2011.  Fans can stroke her waxed double at Madam Tussards in Amsterdam. It does not look much like her.

Angela Visser:  first Dutch woman to win Miss Universe (1989).

Angela so enjoyed the pageant that she spent the next four years working as the ‘colour commentator’, before extending her skills to work in television and film classics like: Killer Tomatoes Eat France!

Lara Stone: ranked number 7 on Forbes list of 2011 Worlds Top-Earning Models, and number 1 on the models.com list of the Top 50 Models.   Not bad for a gapped tooth girl who grew up in  Mierlo.

Lara Married to English comedian, David Walliams and mother of one new baby boy born May 2013.

Daphne Deckers:  multi-talented lady born in Nijmegen in 1968.  Daphne started modeling as a mass communications student, and was seen by her on the pages of Playboy.  More recently, Daphne presented of Holland’s Next Top Model, and was co-presenter of the first series of Big Brother.  She also had a minor role in the James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies.

Daphne is a respected writer of children’s books, books on parenting issues, and books that stem from her columns in newspapers and magazines including De Telegraaf, Veronicablad, Reader’s Digest and Viva. Came under attack for saying Chuppa Chupps lollies were good for you because they contain fruit.

Sylvie van der Vaart:  born Sylvie Meis in 1978, she started her career hosting events for the music station TMF.  Being voted Netherlands Sexiest Female in 2003 and becoming romantically linked AFC Ajax footballer Rafael van der Vaart, helped to raise her public profile, as did the live coverage of their wedding by Dutch television channel SBS6.

The relationship lasted through a few football clubs and treatment for breast cancer, until January 2013 when the couple called it quits after a public row at a party.  Sylvie recovered quickly from the breakup by launching her own line of lingerie. More of a (ex) WAG than a model really.

Lonneke Engel: discovered by photographer Bruce Weber as a 13 year old in 1994. Weber shot her for Abercrombie  & Fitch, before introducing her to Ralph Lauren. Lonneke held exclusive contracts with Ralph Lauren, Clarins and Covergirl , which added a steady income to her many other shorter term modeling projects.

In 2010, she started the online magazine:  Organice Your Life. Her website states she is also a certified health counselor, whatever that means.

Frederique van der Wal:  born in The Hague in 1967 – Frederique began as a model, and moved on to film and television and creating her own business empire.

In addition to her work as a Victoria Secret angel, she appeared in a stage production of The Vagina Monologues; she was The Mole in Hawaii; and, appeared in Woody Allen’s film Celebrity.  In 2005, she was given the honor of having a lily named after her. She now runs a ‘lifestyle’ flower shop.

Rianne ten Haken:  born Lelystad in 1986, she won the 2001 Elite Model Look competition.

Rianne has been muse to Versace, Armani, La Perla, Dior, Prada, Chanel, and Marc Jacobs  … to just drop a few names.

Yfke Sturm: discovered as a 15 year old in Almere in 1997, Yfke went on to win both the Dutch and International Elite Model Look contests that same year.

It is difficult to find an underwear, perfume, or high-end fashion house that she hasn’t modeled for.  Kind and helpful –  Yfke offers her advice to the rest of womankind in her book Yfkes Model Secrets.  Currently lives in New York City.

Bette Franke:  a  face from Heemskerk who has graced the covers of major fashion magazines since she was discovered at the age of 14 whilst shopping with her mother.

At 1.8m or 5ft11in, she would have been difficult to miss.

Patricia van der Vliet: came fourth in the controversial public vote on Cycle 4 of Holland’s Next Top Model.  The competition judges disagreed with the vote and claimed that Patricia should have won the competition.

Seems that the judges were correct, as Patricia has been the face on many fashion magazines and the lithe body donning designer clothes on the fashion runways for the last 14years.  She is a Zaandam local, born in 1989.

Ymre Stiekema:  now 21, and originally from Groningen, Ymre was signed by Prada after winning a couple of competitions.

She is known for her mole and full lips, and the way she carries a Prada handbag.

Daphne Groeneveld: Big-lipped blonde, Daphne, 19, was born in Leiderdorp and was ‘discovered’ while out shopping with her mum.

Described as looking like the red Angry Bird by one critic, Daphne is the current face of Miss Dior perfume. One of her favourite things to do is ‘to make silly movies or pictures’ with her friends.  See above.

Saskia de Brauw: Amsterdammer Saskia actually started modeling as a teenager but quit at 16 and went to the prestigious Rietveld art school, returning to modeling at the ripe old age of 29.

Saskia has modeled for all the big names and was on the last cover for French Vogue edited by Carine Roitfeld. She was also one of the celebrities in David Bowie’s 2013 single The stars are out tonight.

This item was updated on August 9 after several kind readers made suggestions for new entries.