Alessandra Ambrosio was born in Erexim, Brazil, on the 11th of April, 1981. Her modeling career started when she decided to take modeling lessons in Brazil. The course led to her participation in Elite's Look of the Year contest in 1996, which eventually led to her contract with Elite Model Management. When Guess? got hold of Alessandra's shots, the clothing line signed her to the advertising campaign. The company that launched the careers of Estelle Hallyday and Laetitia Casta can add Alessandra to their long list of modeling debutantes.

Alessandra is more than a Guess? girl. She has graced the covers of magazines such as Capricho, Desfile, Elle (Brazil), Wallpaper, and Harper's Bazaar (Spanish). As for fashion shows, Alessandra has walked the catwalks for designers such as Laura Biagiotti, Christian Lacroix, Byblos, Fendi, Issey Miyake, Kenzo, Christian Dior, Nicole Miller, and Oscar de la Renta, among others. Guess? wasn't the only company to see Alessandra's beauty. She also has contracts with Revlon cosmetics, Gap (as of late), and is set to appear in advertisements for Calvin Klein eyewear and Giorgio Armani. Those who caught the Victoria's Secret fashion show in Cannes on the Internet may have noticed Alessandra in the show, among a cast of the lingerie line's staples, Tyra Banks and Stephanie Seymour.

While the Brazilian beauty was once an Elite girl, she has switched agencies and is now represented by Marilyn Gaultier. Although her modeling career is on the rise, Alessandra plans to pursue a University degree. When she's not modeling, she spends her time with her model/club promoter boyfriend of two and a half years, Jayson Lee (although she has been romantically linked to fellow model Marcelo Boldrini).

She enjoys sandboarding and lounging on the beach listening to Brazilian music. Her favorite place in the world still remains her tiny hometown, and having traveled the world has not convinced her otherwise. When not at her New York apartment or busy building a house in her native Brazil, Alessandra is leaving her mark around the world with International magazine covers, ad campaigns and big league designer fashion shows.

In a country that seems to breed beautiful women, there must be something in the Brazilian water. The most popular supermodel to come out of the South American country is Gisele Bundchen, but the long-legged beauty better watch her back with Alessandra Ambrosio well on her way.

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