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

One of a bevy of Brazilians typing a modeling globe in the late 1990s (including Gisele Bündchen, Ana Beatriz Barros, Fernanda Tavares, Isabeli Fontana and Alessandra Ambrosio), the Cinque'X", 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 district attorney 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.

Facts and stats
Height: 5'10" (178 cm) Measurements: 33-23-33 (United states of america); 85-59-85 (EU) Dress Size: Foursome (United states); 34 (EU) Shoe Size: Ix (United states); 41 (EU) Eyes: Blue-Grey (every now and again argued when existence Green) Hair: Dark Brown Ethnicity: French, Portuguese, Native American, Caribbean Nationality: Brazilian Languages Spoken: English, Spanish, Portuguese

Ranked #57 within Maxim's Hot 100 (2003) Ranked #1 within AskMen.com's Top 99 Women (2005) *Spokesmodel of XOXO, Armani Jeans, Believe? , Victoria's Secret She began modeling at 13 Adrianthe has a punctured stomach button She occurs as Gemini

Quotes

"Modeling is a tough job, your co-workers are your rivals, it really puts a damper on your perspective of other girls."

"Fashion is about good energy. It's about feelings. That's what I have to give the people, good energy and good feelings."

"It's wrong for a guy to have no personality, no heart. Because I don't care about style or money. I care about heart."

Notable work
Vogue (Italy) 1998. Vogue (America) 1999 Vogue (GER) 1999

Runway
Ralph Lauren Armani Valentino Christian Dior Christian Lacroix Victoria's Secret

Print
GUESS? Maybelline Victoria's Secret Telecom Italia Mobile Luca Luca Leonard Victoria's Secret

Sources