Swanepoel was born in Mooi River, KwaZulu-Natal, and was spotted by a model scout in a Durban flea market at age 15. By age 16, Swanepoel was earning 5,000 Euros or R40,000 for a day's work. Swanepoel has appeared on the cover of the Greek edition of Vogue, in advertisements for Nike, and walked the catwalk for Tommy Hilfiger, Victoria's Secret, and Diane von Fürstenberg.