Karen Mulder

Mulder appeared on the cover of British and Spanish Vogue in 1991–1992 and became the face of a Nivea advertising campaign. In 1992, Mulder signed a contract with Victoria's Secret. In 1993, she was featured on the cover ofVogue in January and again in March.

In the mid-1990s, Mulder's off-the-runway career was managed by her then-partner, Jean-Yves Le Fur. In 1995, he collaborated with Hasbro on a Karen Mulder doll, which spurred development of a line of dolls modeled on the supermodels of the time. Le Fur and Mulder also made an infomercial and video. Mulder released a beauty and fashion CD-ROM, in which she presented makeup, beauty, and exercise tips. She is currently being represented by Justin Weijgers.

One of the first issues of Elle Top Model magazine was entirely devoted to Mulder along with an entire issue of Italian Vogue. Her two appearances in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in 1997 and 1998 and her poses for the Victoria's Secret catalogue increased Mulder's profile. In 1997 she released her own calendar. Mulder was one of the first Victoria's Secret angels and reportedly suggested the idea of wearing wings on the runway to executives, inspired by Charlie's Angels.

For many years, Mulder was among the ten best-paid models in the world. At one point in her career, she was reportedly earning up to £10,000 a day.

In the early 2000s, she began to speak out about the dark side of the modeling industry and the dangers faced by girls who were still children, and by young women.

In 2000, Mulder retired from modeling. She made her acting debut in the French short film A Theft, One Night in 2001.

Mulder also pursued music, and released an album including the single I Am What I Am which achieved some success in the French charts in 2002. The single reached No. 13 in France, No. 22 in Belgium's Wallonia region, and No. 81 in Switzerland. In 2004, she worked with Daniel Chenevez of Niagara to create the self-titled CD Karen Mulder.

Return to modeling

On 1 July 2007, Mulder returned to the catwalk at the Dior Autumn/Winter 07/08 Couture Collection in Paris, modelling alongside Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Helena Christensen, Amber Valletta, Shalom Harlow, and Stella Tennant. After the show Mulder once again retreated from the public eye.

In 2026, Mulder returned to the industry, featuring on the September cover of Vogue Deutsch.