Adriana Francesca Lima (born June 12, 1981) is a Brazilian-born female model. Best known as one of the faces of Victoria's Secret.
One of the bevy of the Brazilians entering the modeling world in the late 1990's (including Gisele Bündchen, Ana Beatriz Barros, and Alessandra Ambrosio), the 5'10, chocolate brown-haired Adriana Lima rose to stardom out of less than glamorous conditions. Born in El Salvador de Bahia, a small town in northern Brazil, Adriana was discovered shopping at a local mall. At the age of 13, she finished 1st 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.
At the age of 15, 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 ad in Times Square. Her print career followed, and like many other famous names (Claudia Schiffer, Laetitia Casta, Eva Herizgova), 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. (source: wikipedia.com)