Her story starts far from the runway lights, in Curitiba, Brazil. Born into a working-class family, her striking features trace back to Italian and Portuguese roots.
Her full name, Isabeli Bergossi Fontana, honors both sides of her family. This naming tradition connects her to generations of immigrants in southern Brazil.
Now at 42, she stands as a veteran in the fashion world. Her career proves that skill and professionalism build lasting relevance over many years.
Vogue Paris named her among the top 30 models of the 2000s. This honor placed her alongside the peers who defined an era.
She has graced the cover of Vogue 58 times across its international editions. This metric speaks to her ability to embody different aesthetics and moods for a global audience.
Her career is built on strong ties to her home country and international appeal. She is represented by major agencies in New York, Paris, Milan, and São Paulo.
The industry knows her for preparation and reliability. She maintains relationships with top photographers and designers across three decades, a testament to her enduring craft.
Early Beginnings & Breakthrough
Her path to the catwalk began in the quiet classrooms of a Catholic school in Curitiba. Far from the fashion hubs of São Paulo, this city required ambition to look beyond its borders.
Childhood in Curitiba and Early Discovery
Her mother, Maribel Bergossi, saw a spark in her daughter. She supported a twelve-year-old’s entry into a demanding industry. This early family backing was crucial.
At thirteen, she entered the prestigious Elite Model Look contest. This global competition was a major talent pipeline for top model agencies. It scouted for the next generation of faces.
The Elite Model Look and Move to Milan
Finishing in third place in the 1996 contest provided immense validation. It opened international doors that were previously shut. This success set a major career step in motion.
The decision was bold. At fourteen, she moved from Brazil to Milan alone in 1997. She left her family and school to navigate a new language and a competitive industry. Milan was the ultimate proving ground for young models at the time.
This early pattern defined her career. It was built on calculated risks and a strong ability to adapt. The Elite Model Look contest was her definitive entry point to the world stage.
Isabeli Fontana: Modeling Milestones
Her early years were a masterclass in versatility, walking for designers from Versace to Tommy Hilfiger with equal conviction. This period established a pattern of professional reliability that would define her career.
Debut at Milan Fashion Week and Early Runway Walks
A Milan Fashion Week debut at fifteen set a formidable pace. Walking for houses like Versace and Michael Kors immediately placed her among fashion’s new guard.
The Fall/Winter 1999 season showed her remarkable range. She moved from Giorgio Armani’s refined elegance to the spirited styles of Blumarine within the same schedule.
An important moment came with the Valentino campaign. Photographed by Mario Testino alongside Gisele Bündchen, it signaled her arrival among the era’s defining models.
| Fashion Week | Designer | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Milan | Versace | Fall/Winter 1999 |
| New York | Oscar de la Renta | Fall/Winter 2000 |
| Paris | Chanel | Spring/Summer 2001 |
| New York | Tommy Hilfiger | Spring/Summer 2001 |
Her presence across New York, Milan, and Paris from 1999 to 2005 was consistent. She walked for powerhouses like Dolce & Gabbana, Ralph Lauren, and Balenciaga.
These campaigns and runway credits were more than just jobs. They proved an ability to embody a brand’s identity, a skill that built lasting industry trust over the years.
Iconic Campaigns and Brand Collaborations
A single controversial booking at sixteen unexpectedly set the stage for a defining career trait: resilience. This early challenge shaped her approach to brand partnerships for decades.
Controversial Victoria’s Secret Lingerie Catalogue
In 1999, her appearance in a Victoria’s Secret catalogue sparked immediate debate. The brand had a public policy against using models under eighteen.
This could have halted her progress. Instead, it amplified her visibility. Top designers like Versace and Ralph Lauren signed her soon after. They recognized her professional potential beyond the scandal.
Her relationship with Victoria’s Secret endured. She walked in their famed fashion show eight times between 2003 and 2014. Her consistent presence proved her reliability.
Working with Versace, Ralph Lauren, Dolce & Gabbana and More
Her campaign work demonstrated remarkable range. For Dolce & Gabbana, she captured a sensual, Italian aesthetic across multiple seasons.
Ralph Lauren casts required a different energy. She projected classic American aspiration with equal conviction. This versatility made her a sought-after face.
Lucrative beauty contracts followed. She became the face of Viktor & Rolf’s Flowerbomb fragrance in 2014. These deals provided stability beyond seasonal fashion work.
Her portfolio touched every market level.
- Luxury: Chanel, Hermès, Balenciaga
- Contemporary: Hugo Boss, Emporio Armani, Tommy Hilfiger
- Accessible: H&M, Gap, Banana Republic
This strategic breadth ensured her image reached a global audience, building a lasting and recognizable career.
Fashion Industry Impact & Magazine Covers
Fifty-eight Vogue covers tell a story of editorial trust earned through consistent performance across global markets. This Brazilian model became a fixture on international newsstands, her face representing fashion’s evolving standards.
Signature Vogue Covers and International Editorials
Her first Vogue cover appeared in 2001 with Vogue Hellas when she was eighteen. The milestone established her as a cover-worthy talent early in her career.
Steven Meisel photographed her for the September 2004 American Vogue cover alongside seven other “Models of the Moment.” This recognition placed her among the generation reshaping 2000s fashion.
Beyond Vogue, she appeared on Harper’s Bazaar covers ten times and Marie Claire six times. These publications required models who could translate high fashion into accessible elegance for broader audiences.
Influence on the Elite Model Look and Pirelli Calendars
Five appearances in the Pirelli Calendar demonstrated her artistic credibility beyond commercial work. The 2011 edition, shot by Karl Lagerfeld, featured models as Greek and Roman gods.
This conceptual work showcased her ability to embody narratives rather than simply pose. It represented the highest level of photographic artistry in fashion.
Her career proved that Elite Model Look contestants could achieve lasting success through professionalism and adaptability. She became a benchmark for competition winners seeking sustainable modeling careers.
Personal Life, Family, and Filmography
The same determination that built her modeling career shaped her approach to family life across continents. While fashion weeks demanded her presence worldwide, personal milestones created a parallel timeline of marriages and motherhood.
Marriages, Relationships, and Family Milestones
Her first marriage to model Álvaro Jacomossi began in 2000 when she was seventeen. Their son Zion arrived in 2003 during her peak runway years.
She married actor Henri Castelli in 2005. Their son Lucas was born in São Paulo the following year. The marriage ended in 2007, showing the challenge of balancing family with international modeling demands.
Later relationships included an engagement to Rohan Marley. She married Diego Ferrero in 2016, finding stability during her career’s later phase.
Film Appearances and Television Contributions
Brazilian television provided another platform for her recognizable face. She appeared in telenovelas and series, often playing herself or cameo roles.
| Year | Production | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Torre de Babel | Herself |
| 2005 | Belíssima | Herself |
| 2010 | A Vida Alheia | Verônica Moyana |
| 2011 | Aline | Princess Léa |
| 2015 | Hidden Truths | Herself (Angel Parade) |
These appearances maintained her connection to Brazilian audiences while her modeling work spanned global fashion capitals.
Reflections on a Stellar Career & Lasting Influence
Her ability to shift between American sportswear and Italian glamour demonstrated rare versatility in modeling. Campaigns for Michael Kors showed polished elegance, while work for Roberto Cavalli and Dolce & Gabbana captured dramatic flair.
The 2008 Forbes listing confirmed her financial success matched her editorial prestige. Earning $3 million placed her among the industry’s top models that year.
Global representation across fourteen cities supported this international reach. From New York to Hong Kong, agencies maintained her presence in every major fashion market.
Her lasting influence proves that experience matters most in modeling. Consistent performance across decades built trust with designers like Ralph Lauren and others who returned for multiple campaigns.
FAQ
How old is Isabeli Fontana?
Born on July 4, 1983, she continues to be a prominent figure in fashion, proving that talent and presence transcend age.
What was her big break into modeling?
Her career launched after winning Brazil’s Elite Model Look contest at just 13, which led to an immediate move to Milan and a contract with the Elite model agency.
Is Isabeli Fontana a Victoria’s Secret Angel?
She famously walked for the brand and appeared in its iconic lingerie catalogue at 18, a move that generated significant attention and solidified her mega-model status early on.
Which major fashion brands has she worked with?
Her portfolio includes landmark campaigns for Versace, Ralph Lauren, Dolce & Gabbana, Emporio Armani, Michael Kors, and Hugo Boss, among many others.
Has she appeared on the cover of Vogue?
Yes, she has graced the covers of numerous international Vogue editions, along with Harper’s Bazaar and Marie Claire, showcasing her versatility and enduring appeal.
Was she featured in the Pirelli Calendar?
She was photographed for the prestigious Pirelli Calendar, an honor reserved for the industry’s most celebrated models and photographers.
What is known about her personal life and family?
She was married to actor Henri Castelli and later to fellow model Álvaro Jacomossi. She is a mother, balancing her high-profile career with her family life in São Paulo.
