Pirelli Calendar Star Adriana Lima on Tattoos and What Car to Drive if You Want to Impress HerAdriana Lima is one of the biggest models in the world. But you already knew that. You might remember her from myriad Victoria's Secret campaigns and runway shows since 2000. Or from her work representing Maybelline, Guess?, Armani, and Valentino. She will earn more than $8 million this year, according to Forbes -- almost a million more than in 2013. She has also posed three times for the calendar Pirelli has published since 1964. I spoke with the Brazilian star -- and devout Catholic -- about that calendar at a midtown hotel in New York last month. She wore a short shimmering dress under a crisp black blazer. When I entered she strode up in sky-high heels that might as well have been crocs, for how easily she moved. Here's part of our conversation. Hannah Elliott: Well this isn't exactly your first time working for Pirelli. How did this year compared to previous years? Adriana Lima: Well I wasn't pregnant! Elliott: That's a big difference. Lima: Every single shoot you have a different approach because there are different ideas. But it definitely for me was an honor to be working with Pirelli again and especially with having Steven Meisel as a photographer. I'm a fan of his work. He's so special in the way he captures his pictures. It's always cinematic. I love the calendar this year. It's very strong images, but yet I think it's very feminine. We are making art. Elliott: Tell me about your image in the compilation. Lima: I am happy with my picture. I am. I love it. I am wearing, like, latex. And I have this cap on my head. My hair is a little bit wet. My makeup is a little bit smokey eye. And the skin is very -- how do you say -- not a lot of foundation on the skin. But I like it. It has a little bit of a modern pin-up feel to it. Elliott: I can see you have a few tattoos. Do they show in the photo? Lima: In the position that I'm in, no, you don't see them. Elliott: Did you ever worry that getting tattoos would hurt your modeling career? Lima: I never had any concern, actually; it's not like I have a million. Male Assistant: [shouting from the corner] You should tell her the story about that one tattoo! Elliott: Tell me! Elliott: Well that sounds very memorable. Anyway. This shoot is full of icons -- styled by Carine Roitfeld, make-up by Pat McGrath. Did it feel very different from other shoots because of just how talented and famous these people are? Or was it just another day at the office for you? Lima: What I love about Steven Meisel is that since the minute you walk in he senses the ambiance to take you to the character of the picture that we are taking. He's a very calm person, very talented, so you always know that whatever you do you are in the hands of the best. So whatever comes up is going to be beautiful. I know that in the calendar there is a lot of skin involved, and a lot of people ask questions about “Isn't that uncomfortable?” I'm like, you know I understand, but the image -- you're making art. You're building a character. So the beauty of Pirelli is that they enjoy woman in many different forms and that is what they are trying to take it out there. Elliott: Before you shot for the first time, when you were a lot younger, did you know what Pirelli was? I'm curious because I've spoken with other models who had no idea what Pirelli was before they were in the calendar. Lima: Of course. Elliott: You knew it was tires? Lima: Yes -- they have jackets, too! Elliott: Very true! So if someone wanted to impress you, what kind of car should they drive? Lima: A Kia Sorento. Seven seats. Haha. Assistant: That's what she's driving now. Lima: Really, I'm not joking! Assistant: It's really pimped out, though. Elliott: So you live in Miami, and you have that. Lima: Yes. Elliott: Do you have a driver? Lima: No, I drive myself. I'm a good driver. I'm a safe driver. I have never had a ticket. Really! I have my kids in the back. Safe. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-11-18/pirelli-calendar-star-adriana-lima-on-tattoos-and-what-car-to-drive-if-you-want-to-impress-her.html?hootPostID=6dc60f7b50f4f808ee385bb09380ec37
