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 Born on 20 July 1980 (along with non-identical twin sister Patricia), this Brazilian model's rise to fame was swift and certain. In the late Nineties, Gisele took the fashion world by storm, often appearing on multiple magazine covers simultaneously. In January 2000, she fronted both British Vogue and American Vogue at the same time.
The arrival of this 5'11", slender, yet curvaceous phenomenon on the international fashion scene in 1996 was viewed by many within the industry as the beginning of a new move away from the harsh, edgy images that had dominated the decade into a softer, sexier phase. Although Gisele herself had originally harboured ambitions of being a professional volleyball player or a vet, she was discovered by Brazilian model scouts at the age of 14, while eating a hamburger during a school trip to Rio de Janeiro. Two years later, she found herself modelling in New York, after Elite agency's Vice President Massimo Redaelli spotted her in a local fashion show and signed herup on the spot. Since then, she has been the face of Christian Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Versace, and Celine, as well as cheap-chic high street store H&M. She first appeared on the cover of British Vogue for the August 1998 issue. Her status as the most wanted face in fashion was confirmed in December 1999, when she was named Vogue/VH1 Model of the Year in New York. A year later, she returned to co-host the event with Cuba Gooding Jr. Most recently, Gisele signed as one of the newest faces of the world's leading lingerie brand, Victoria's Secret. Her multi-year contract includes campaigns for lingerie, beauty and hosiery. Gisele famously refuses to pose topless, a situation that once prompted the launch of a spoof campaign entitled 'Free the Gisele Two' by a group of catwalk photographers. But, according to Vogue's Fashion Bookings Editor, what really distinguishes this model is her all-round appeal: "Every woman wants to look like Gisele and every man wants to sleep with her." According to Art Director Robin Derrick, she is also "always on time". Gisele still retains strong roots in her village of Horizontina and is frequently to be found there, visiting her parents, five sisters (Raquel, Grasiela, twin Patricia, Gabriela, and youngest Rafaela) and the many pets she still keeps at her family home. At home in Manhattan and on her travels, she is almost never without her Yorkshire Terrier, Vida. Though Gisele no longer does runway shows full time, you can often see her parading down the runway exclusively for Colcci during Rio Fashion Week. When not doing runway exlcusively in Brail, Gisele has lent her name to a line of fashionable sandals named IPANEMA: Gisele Bundchen which is in high demand. And has also contributed to Gisele landing in the top spot for three years running as the worlds highest paid supermodel. Gisele's star is still rising and doesn't look like it will decending anytime soon. |