Gizele Oliveira: From Brazil To The Top Of The World
A capixaba! The shy young woman from Espírito Santo saw her life transformed when great opportunities in the fashion world came her way. An icon in international campaigns, an eternal Victoria’s Secret angel and a reference on social media, Gizele has engraved her name on the select list of fashion icons.
It only takes a few minutes with her to understand the reasons for her success: Gizele is a rare combination of sweetness and a fierce gaze, capable of lighting up any environment she’s in. Although fashion is not always a welcoming field, she stands out for her versatility, knowing exactly how to carry out her work with lightness and excellence.
With an unmistakable presence and natural charisma, Gizele Oliveira isn’t fighting for space, she’s conquered it! Check out our chat with the supermodel who dominates the catwalks and the most coveted cameras in the fashion world.
FEATURE INTERVIEW:
You grew up in Brazil and conquered the world with your beauty and talent. Was this the kind of life you dreamed of?
Absolutely! My childhood dream was always to travel the world, learn English and be happy doing my job. I think I always wanted to be a model or some kind of artist. I was always very shy, but I loved performing at school, at church and for my family. I’ve always loved taking photos and pretending to parade. I’ve certainly lived and am living all my dreams.
How do you manage to feel comfortable and powerful posing for so many photographers, with such varied looks? Are there any secrets or rituals before you face the lens?
My secret is to study each brand before doing any casting or job. Each brand has a specific audience, and by understanding what they expect from me as a model, I got a sense of security that reinforces my confidence. This is my favorite part of modeling, because I can be creative and play a different character every day!
Your social media posts are followed by thousands of people, most of them women who consider you a reference point for beauty and style. How is your relationship with the internet? Have you ever felt pressured?
I’ve always been passionate about the internet. In 2011 I started my blog, where I loved posting about fashion and trends, and it was there that I discovered my style. I’ve always liked expressing myself and I remember that when Instagram started to grow as a social network, I was already connected, so people started following me early on. Today I feel more pressure in terms of numbers. Before, the focus was on the content you posted, now it’s more about who has the most followers and engagement.
The international fashion scene is full of great Brazilian icons, just like you. Aside from their undeniable beauty, what do you think is the great thing about Brazilian women in the fashion world?
I think the big difference between Brazilians in the fashion world is that we always manage to bring our “way” “jeitinho” and charisma everywhere. I’ve lived in the US for 11 years and the more time I spend here, the more I realize the positive energy we have, how lively and captivating we are.
It’s clear that you have a creative mind. Do you have any desire to expand your talent into other areas, such as acting or even presenting a show?
I think I’d love to act, but I can never get out of my comfort zone and go for it. That’s a promise for the future Gizele to keep. But I’m also thinking of having a clothing brand in the future!
We know that the fashion world isn’t always glamorous. Last year, you took to social media to report a disrespectful situation in which, when you walked for a brand, the clothes didn’t fit you. Do you believe that many models go through similar situations, but avoid taking a standout of fear? Was it natural for you to expose what happened?
I remember that when I posted it, several models and ex-models commented saying that they had been through this several times. It wasn’t even the first time it had happened to me, with the same brand. It was very difficult for me to post that video, because I knew that somehow it would hurt me, which it did. But I felt it was necessary to talk about disrespect, not only with our bodies, but also with our time, as we often spend hours waiting at castings without certainty that we will get the job. I hope I’ve helped and impacted other people in some way, because there’s been a lot of talk about “body positive” since 2019, but nothing has really changed.
What part of your job inspires you the most?
What inspires me most is knowing that someone looks at me and can see themselves, recognize themselves. I grew up seeing the vast majority of models being white and I was never able to look at magazines and feel beautiful or represented. Knowing that several Latina girls like me feel seen when they see me in a campaign means the world to me
With so many options for skincare products and routines available, what is your personal approach to keeping your skin healthy and radiant? Are there any products or skincare routines that you consider indispensable?
I always try to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, and I use a lot of facial moisturizers. I’m not very disciplined when it comes to skincare, I think I do better using fewer products, but I love trying new things! I’m in love with lip balm, I think I’ve tested several from various brands, and I always have one or two in my handbag!
What is your favorite place in the world and your favorite season?
My favorite places in the world are Rio de Janeiro, London, New York and Tokyo. These are the cities that have brought me the most happiness, both living there and visiting them. They occupy a large space in my heart. My favorite season is, without a doubt, autumn! I always wanted to know what fall was like, since it’s very different in my hometown. The first time I experienced fall was during my first fashion week. I remember arriving in Paris at the beginning of the season, and it was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.
What would the international super model say to 10-year-old Gizele?
You can do anything you want, dream as big as you can. Never give up on anything you want and enjoy every second of everything, even the difficult moments, because they are what will make you special and unique. And never, ever forget where you came from. I know you don’t feel included, but that’s what will make you fly so high and go so far, because you won’t settle for little, and you never will. Always be you and never lose your essence, or the child that lives inside you.
TEAM CREDITS:
Editor-in-Chief:Prince Chenoa
Feature Editor: Taylor Winter Wilson (@taylorwinter)
Interview By: Gillian Caetano (@gcaetanocomunicacao)
Photographer: Jullien & Hailey (@jullienandhailey)
Creative Direction & Styling: Leonardo Loreto (@leonardoloreto)
Makeup Artist: Emily Dimant (@makeupbyemilydimant)
Beauty Direction: Oscar Ramirez (@@oskr.rami)
