Adriana Lima at the Woodfield Victoria Secret

 

Chicagoland residents received an early Christmas gift on Wednesday when internationally renowned Victoria’s Secret model Adriana Lima alighted in the Windy City. From 5 to 7 p.m., Lima appeared at the Woodfield Mall Victoria’s Secret store in Schaumburg, where hundreds of fans waited in a virtually endless line to meet the Brazilian bombshell.

Despite growing up in a balmy South American climate, Lima confessed that she loves the cold temperatures in Chicago. “When I’m in Brazil, I stay inside in the air conditioning all day. So, I love the cold weather here,” she said. “The people are also very welcoming, and the city is beautiful.” Though the schedule for her Chicago trip was quite tight, she hoped for a chance to shop on Michigan Avenue and view the beautiful Christmas lights she had heard so much about.

This year, Lima made her eleventh appearance in the annual 2010 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, which aired November 30 on CBS and December 8 on the CW. She has participated in every show since 1999 (with the exception of 2009, the year she and her husband, Serbian basketball star Marko Jaric, welcomed their first child, Valentina). “The fashion show this year was different for me, because I came back as a mom and I was chosen to wear the Fantasy Bra; so it was a big responsibility!” Lima said. This year’s Bombshell Fantasy Bra, made by Italian jewelry company Damiani, boasted 3,000 diamonds, sapphires, and topaz gems. Fans attending the Woodfield Mall event were able to catch a glimpse of the $2 million bra. 

 

For the holiday season, Lima recommended several options for shoppers searching for the perfect gift. “You always like to dress up for the holidays, and what you wear underneath should be very important,” she said. “My pick for this season is the Miraculous Bra, because it adds two cup sizes and is very comfortable; it’s just the perfect push-up bra.” For those who prefer a more casual gift, the Victoria’s Secret flannel shorts, which come in a variety of colorful patterns and designs, are ideal for lounging around the house, Lima said.

At the end of her busy holiday tour, Lima plans to spend Christmas with her immediate and extended family in Brazil. In fact, she has already planned a new tradition for her one-year-old daughter. “Since my hometown is so hot, we don’t have fireplaces, and Santa Claus is supposed to come in through the fireplace. So, in Brazil, we put the presents under the beds,” she said. “I’m going to start that with Valentina this year; I’ll hide the gifts under the bed so that when she wakes up the next day, she’ll have a surprise.”          

For more holiday gift ideas, visit victoriassecret.com.