Adriana Francesca Lima (born June 12, 1981 in Salvador da Bahia,
Brazil) is a supermodel best known as one of the faces of
One of the bevy of Brazilians entering the modeling world in the late
1990s (including Gisele B?ndchen, Ana Beatriz Barros, Fernanda
Tavares, Isabeli Fontana and Alessandra Ambrosio), the 5'10",
chocolate brown-haired Adriana Lima rose to stardom out of less than
glamorous conditions. Adriana 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. She later followed with a 2nd place
finish in the 1996 Ford Supermodel of the World contest.
Shortly after, Adriana 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).
Adriana'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),
Adriana became a GUESS? Girl in their 2000 Costanoa campaign.
Adriana 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), Adriana first graced the VS runway in 2000, and was the show
opener for the 2003 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.
Adriana 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.