Gisele and LUFRÉ [IG] are on a roll today. The LUFRÉ ad campaign that launched AOC’s last post is not the one that piqued our initial interest this morning. That poor brand just got booted again to make way for the most important fashion Earth Goddess Gisele.

LUFRÉ captures Gisele for the August 2023 issue of Vogue Brazil, styled by Rita Lazzarotti, with art direction by Julia Filgueiras. / Hair and makeup by Henrique Martins

Vogue Brasil calls Gisele an übermodel, giving us a second choice with ‘titan’ — used by FGR, and we followed, for Christy Turlington two weeks ago. Increasingly, there is a need for new words to signify the highly-credentialed supermodels, who truly have had a long run and remain highly influential today.

Gisele is also a ‘titan’.

Titans and übermodels

With models being crowned supermodels for achieving what used to be average performance, it’s clear that many of us are in rebellion mode.

The next time we see certain writers or even major media editors using ‘über’ or ‘titan’ for average models with three years in the business, AOC is calling you out. My lips were zipped a few months ago, but not again. Talk about grade inflation. We have the same problem with ‘icon’.

‘Supermodel’ Has No Real Meaning Today

We give you the word ‘supermodel’ because it’s an elevated but ordinary concept now, with little meaning. But cross over into ‘uber’ or ‘titan’ territory, you better be talking about a rare model of great success, longevity, wide-ranging impact and activism.

If the model isn’t the equivalent of NBA’s LeBron James, don’t call the person either of these new top-tier two words. You reduce a model like Gisele Bundchen when you equate her stature, annual income, activism and 30-year career to a new model’s with three years in the business and a few shared covers.

The Uber Activist for Mother Earth

Vogue Brasil calls Gisele the only übermodel, activist for environmental causes. In her interview with EIC Maria Laura Neves IG], Gisele expresses her own view of her success: “I believe that it has a lot to do with my personality and the choices I’ve made. I was faithful to my values and my essence, always giving my best. I took the profession seriously and I was always very professional.”

“I am naturally more reserved and ended up choosing projects that I deemed more meaningful for me to showcase myself. Perhaps this has contributed to the longevity in a career that is typically so fleeting.”

AOC adds that like so many young models today, Gisele suffered from extreme anxiety, although she didn’t talk about it endlessly. The mother of Benjamin, 13, and Vivian, 10, has spoken for decades about the importance of mental health and her healthy-food, yoga-filled and martial arts, gratitude-to-the-universe lifestyle for decades now.

Gisele’s Symphony of Nature

Bündchen proudly tells the world that she regularly communes with birds, squirrels, and butterflies. In Costa Rica, the Earth Goddess is surrounded by Costa Rica’s “symphony of nature”: chirping insects, squawking parrots, and the lionlike roars of locally renowned howler monkeys.

Gisele’s advocacy for the protection of the Amazon rainforest is tireless. Growing up in Brazil, she developed an inherent love for the vast, biodiverse region that serves as the Earth's lungs.

Gisele’s Environmentalism Activism

Harnessing her platform, Gisele has utilized her voice to shed light on deforestation and its devastating consequences, while bringing attention to indigenous rights and labors against exploitation. Going beyond mere words, she has actively collaborated with organizations such as Rainforest Alliance and Xingu Seeds Network to drive real change on the ground.

Her own foundation is called the Luz Foundation. As a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Environment Program since 2009, Gisele advocates for environmental conservation and sustainable development.

Women with Backbone

This outstanding woman was severely criticized by former Brazilian president Bolsonaro’s government for accusing the country's new far-right government of gutting environmental protections.

How many so-called supermodels do you know who would step out in America and publicly go head-to-head with the former Trump administration?

Christy Turlington also speaks out very publicly on maternal health — including in America — which is why she’s also a titan. It takes a LOT of moxie to take on either Jair Bolsonaro or Donald Trump — or politics at large.

Gisele reminds us that she comes from a family of women — and I had forgotten that fact about her life.

With seven women and only one man (my father), I believe that our family is led by the women. My mother has always worked outside the home and still had to plan and organize the functioning of the house and take care of six daughters. She is a hero and a great role model for me – her influence has played a significant part in my independence. Just like my father, who has always advised us and imparted many teachings. We were taught to do everything. Whether it’s using a drill to hang up frames or fishing for our own fish, cleaning, and then enjoying the meal. We grew up handling all household tasks and always supporting each other.

Goddess willing, at age 43 Gisele Bundchen should have a long runway ahead of her. I’ll bet she maximizes every minute of every breath she takes. We love her for the example she sets for all of us. ~ Anne