bitemodelprofile A who has evolved from a teenage beauty winner to one of the most revered super models, Dawn Hunt reveals details of Adriana Lima’s modelling career.

Model Profile she was urged by a friend to join her in entering a modelling contest that the possibility actually became reality. She and her friend both submitted pictures and it wasn’t long after that the contest sponsor was knocking at her door. Lima was only 15, and had just won first place in Ford Model’s ‘ of Brazil’ model search. Soon after this, she entered their Supermodel of the World contest and earned second place.

Following these triumphs, three years later, Lima moved to and signed with the infamous modelling agency, . From Adriana here, the world welcomed her with open arms and she began appearing in every- thing from Vogue to , her first cover being for Marie Claire Brazil in Sep- Lima tember 1998. As soon as Lima was discovered and she signed with Elite, designers, photog- raphers and sponsors couldn’t wait to have her model for and represent them in editorial spreads, on covers, in com- mercials and to walk in runway shows. Strutting the catwalk is perhaps where Lima truly shines, as she is one of the most coveted models assigned to strut la é linda. She’s beautiful. Plainly the highest regard and prestige. They the runway for some of the world’s most stated and absolutely, but make are what we consider to be the most high-end and luxurious fashion labels, like no mistake, there’s nothing ‘plain’ beautiful, the most perfect, the most, , Versace, , about Adriana Lima. Hailed as one you-can-try-and-try-but-you’ll-never- and . However, the one Eof the ‘New Supers’ and possibly one of be-this-pretty, people. As such, if you’re brand that sent Lima’s career into super- the top 100 most beautiful women in fortunate enough to be a part of this model stardom would be her work with the world at the moment, Ms. Lima has elite posse, then life must be pretty sweet Victoria’s Secret. a career that only a few in the fashion indeed, but Lima’s is one that appears to modelling world will ever dream of have been dipped in chocolate and rolled After being signed as an Angel in 1999, having. In the last 22 years, Lima has risen in sprinkles. Lima would go on be the first model to from a teenage beauty contest-winner to walk in the insanely popular and beloved becoming a household name, all the while Born in Salvador, Brazil, on 12th June Victoria’s Secret Show five times in 2003, earning millions. 1981, Lima was raised by her mother, 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2012. She walked Maria das Graças Lima, who worked her last opening in 2012 only two months Fashion models weren’t always the as a social worker. As a child, the young after giving birth to her second baby, a celebrities they are today, but rather, Adriana competed in and won many little girl named Sienna. Since 1999, Lima slim, attractive people who would model beauty pageants, but never considered has also appeared in numerous commer- clothing by parading around showrooms modelling as something she wanted to cials, ad campaigns and promotions for and department stores, or pose for pho- pursue and actually considered becoming the brand, as well as wearing two of their tographs for various publications. This a nun, having stated, “The church is in me prized ‘Fantasy Bras’ in 2008 and 2010. part of the job hasn’t changed much — I always connect. If you’re connected over the last few centuries, but what with the divine and always have pure The first bra was created by American has shifted is the public’s fascination and intentions with everything you’re doing, jewellery designer Martin Katz, and was obsession with these beyond-ordinary you’re protected by the angels. I’m very set with 3,575 black diamonds, 117 certi- looking individuals. spiritual. I believe in nature, I believe in fied one-carat white round diamonds, 34 energy, I believe in spirits.” rubies, and two black diamond drops with These ‘super’ beautiful people are of 100 carats and worth over $5 million! In a bizarre subset of the human race It wasn’t until a little while later that 2010, she again wore the bra called the to which we normal people hold in