My Stuff: My Babes List (#10)

#10 Adriana Lima

Adriana Francesca Lima (born June 12, 1981 in Salvador da Bahia, Brazil) is a supermodel best known as one of the faces of Victoria's Secret.

One of the bevy of Brazilians entering the modeling world in the late 1990s (including Gisele Bündchen, Ana Beatriz Barros, Fernanda Tavares, Ana Hickmann, Isabeli Fontana and Alessandra Ambrosio), the 5'10", chocolate brown-haired Adriana Lima rose to stardom out of less than glamorous conditions. Lima was discovered at the age of 13 shopping at a local mall. At the age of 15, she finished 1st place in a Ford Supermodel of Brazil model search. Lima later followed with a 2nd place finish in the 1996 Ford Supermodel of the World contest. ^[1]

Shortly after, Lima moved to New York City, and eventually moved on from Ford, signing with Elite Model Management. Her early career consisted mostly of fashion editorial work (with early appearances in international editions of Vogue and Marie Claire in 1997/1998), as well as runway work (Christian Lacroix, Valentino, and others). Lima's first big break came when she was featured in a Vassarette billboard in Times Square. Her print career followed, and like many other famous names (Claudia Schiffer, Laetitia Casta, Eva Herzigova), Lima became a GUESS? Girl in their 2000 Costanoa campaign.[1]

Lima then built upon her entry, doing more print work (Maybelline, Bebe, Mossimo, BCBG) and gracing the cover and editorials of more high fashion magazines (Harper's Bazaar, ELLE). Probably best known for her Victoria's Secret work and Angel status (along with Heidi Klum and Gisele), Lima first graced the VS runway in 2000, and was the show opener for the 2003 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.[2]

Lima does charitable work by helping with an orphanage, "Caminhos da Luz" (Ways of Light), located in her home town. She helps with construction to expand the orphanage, and buys clothes for poor children in Salvador, Bahia.

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