Victoria’s Secret Angel Adriana Lima says she represents ‘mature’ women

SINGAPORE — Victoria’s Secret model Adriana Lima has entered a new age bracket, since she turned 35 last year.

The Brazilian model, who has been with the lingerie brand since 1999 and who has been a constant fixture in its annual runway show, says that at her age, she now represents “mature, older women”.

She told TODAY: “I don’t compare myself with other models, whether they are younger or not, I just try to be myself. For me what I try to do right now, is represent women who are mature, older women. I’m showing to the world, as a mature woman you can also be beautiful in many different ways, because beauty is in many different forms, not only a physical thing.”

The mother of two, who has been a Sports Illustrated cover girl, was in town on Friday to launch the Body by Victoria collection at the newly-opened Mandarin Gallery Victoria’s Secret store. Fans could also get her autograph at the store yesterday evening.

Lima was responding to a question from TODAY about how she keeps up with younger models, after all her years in the industry.

Last year, British newspaper The Independent reported that Lima hopes to have at least five more years in the industry, known for using girls as young as 12 for runway shows. It is rare to find those aged above 25 on catwalks.

Model diversity has long been an issue in fashion, although there have been bright moments for the “grey” generation. In 2015, celebrated author Joan Didion, then 82, starred in a Celine campaign. That year, singer Joni Mitchell was the face for Yves Saint Laurent. So, there is hope for Lima. Amber Valetta, 43, also recently walked in a Michael Kors show in New York.

Lima is aware that as a known name, there are those who look up to her. She tries to send “positive messages to younger girls”, and watches “how I carry myself”, she said.

“I have two kids myself, they are watching me,” she said, referring to her two daughters Valentina Lima Jaric, seven, and Sienna Lima Jaric, four, from her marriage to basketball player Marko Jaric which ended in 2014. She has since remained mum about her dating life. However, she made the news this week for her split from American football star, New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman, 30, even though the couple never officially confirmed their relationship.

Lima was in good spirits during her interview, where she fielded questions from the press on Friday morning. Victoria’s Secret was careful to protect its prize — asking reporters to frame their questions in a positive way. Lima’s entourage constantly hovered as well to make sure rules were in force.

Lima spoke about how social media has changed the modelling game. After all, although Forbes lists her 2016 earnings at US$10.5 million 
(S$ 14.9 million), those such as Kendall Jenner and newcomer Gigi Hadid — both aged 21 — are on her heels, earning US$10 million and US$9 million respectively last year.

Their ability to rake in the cash is in no small part due to their Instagram followings. Jenner has over 64 million followers, while Hadid boasts more than 22 million.

Lima herself is behind, with just over 10 million followers.

Compared to the younger girls, who post countless selfies ranging from shoots to racy pictures and photos of their socialite relatives, Lima is relatively tame. Yes, there are bikini and lingerie shots of her on Instagram. But they are more rare, and carefully interspersed with pictures of herself — dressed in “mum” clothes such as turtlenecks and jeans — with her children.

According to her, it is a great tool for models to have their own voices so that they come across as people to the public.

“You can reach out to the whole world in just a matter of seconds. You have your own voice, you can express your own views and that’s something great to have,” Lima said.

“It’s important to appreciate people beyond their physical beauty. When you see a person, you see a beautiful person, but it’s not just that. There is a person inside with feelings, with ideas. It’s interesting to learn and know the other person too.”

She added that “you have a chance to show a little bit more of yourself, your personality, and the things that you love”.

“For me, I tried to share little moments with my family, quotes that I like, little backstage things from my work — it’s something cool because you can get direct access with fans all over the world,” she said.

And Lima has fans in spades.

The Mandarin Gallery store was flooded with at least a hundred fans wanting her autograph on Friday. Sadly, they were not allowed to take pictures with her.

The new Body by Victoria collection she was launching features a demi-bra with smoother, sexier lace as well as three new styles uncluding a sexy flutter bralette, and an unlined demi-bra.

Lima is intending to walk around town on Saturday.

She is currently staying at Marina Bay Sands, and is likely to visit Gardens by the Bay. “I want to go sightseeing, I want to go to the Gardens, I will probably go tomorrow for sure,” she said on Friday morning.