The Bite Magazine Issue 17

in the fashion industry and the only model to be ranked on the Forbes list of ‘The World’s Most Powerful Women’ at No. 83. On May 2011, Forbes ranked her as the world’s top-earning model for the fifth consecutive time. Despite her healthy and wholesome image, the model has not been without her controversy. Back in 2002, rela- tively early into her success, B ündchen was given two mink coats and paid a reported £320,000 by fur company Blackglama to become the face of their campaign, drawing a host of negative attention from PETA activists. The activ- ists even invaded the runway during a Victoria’s Secrets show and referred to the model as “Peta enemy number one.” Fur fancies aside, the model also caused outcry when, in an interview with Harp- er’s Bazaar UK , she stated that it should be law for mothers to breastfeed their babies. Whilst she faced harsh criticism for her words, with many suggesting that it was overly judgmental for her to comment on such a personal choice, she later clarified her comments, stating, “My intention in making a comment about the importance of breastfeeding has nothing to do with the law. It comes from my passionate beliefs about chil- dren. Being a new mom has brought a lot of questions. I feel like I am in a constant search for answers on what might be the best for my child. It’s unfortunate that in an interview sometimes things can seem so black and white.” Modeling aside, B ündchen has shown great entrepreneurial spirit. She has launched a successful range of flip flops, Ipanema by Gisele Bündchen, a lingerie line named Intimates and her own skin care product line, named Sejaa Pure Skincare and despite a career span- ning twenty years the model shows no signs of slowing down. After her high profile return to the catwalk at the Rio Olympic Opening Ceremony this summer it’ll be exciting to see what the Brazilian bombshell does next. bite model profile