Gisele

The supermodel and activist opens up.

- Eleonore Marchand

ISELE BÜNDCHEN walks into the Santa Monica shoot location wearing a white T-shirt, an army-green jacket, frayed denim shorts and flat ankle boots, and all eyes synchronously turn to the five-foot-11 arresting beauty. And while admiring her endless limbs and perfectly toned and bronzed body, the entire room has already been engrossed by Bündchen’s effervescent energy. “Let’s do this!” she says, engaging everyone around her with genuine excitement and warmth, breaking down any barriers that could have existed between the venerated model and her surroundings.

She is as beautiful today as she was at the start of her career, whether as a Victoria’s Secret Angel, on one of the 1200 magazine covers she’s graced, or in any of the 500 fashion shows she’s walked. During our shoot, she moves in front of the camera with ease and precision, knowing exactly which angle, light, backdrop, hair look and outfit will be most impactful. She directs her entourage with grace and exactitude and is faultless in her every move — skills of the business she has perfected over the past 20 years, which have made her a favourite of the fashion world.