Gisele Bündchen Reflects on 15 W Magazine Covers, Her Horse Walk, and Finding Confidence

Gisele Bündchen reflects on more than three decades in fashion in a retrospective interview tied to her return to a W cover after 19 years. Looking back at her early work with photographer Michael Thompson, she describes her first cover in January 1999 as a moment of excitement, gratitude, and disbelief. At the time, she was young, far from home, and still learning how the industry worked. She says the experience reminded her that hard work, resilience, and kindness mattered as much as success.

Bündchen also revisits the labels attached to her early rise, including the phrase “the return of the sexy model.” She says she never set out to project a particular image, but simply tried to be herself. She credits rejection with teaching her not to depend on other people’s opinions, and says what resonated with audiences was not only her appearance but also her energy and personality. She remembers that era as a turning point when fashion was changing and she represented a healthier, more energetic spirit.

The conversation moves through several iconic W covers and shoots from 1999 to 2007, including looks by Gucci, Balenciaga, Ralph Lauren, Christian Dior, Carolina Herrera, Loewe, The Row, Alaïa, Jean Paul Gaultier, Celine, Issey Miyake, Michael Kors Collection, and Hodakova. Bündchen talks about her signature “horse walk,” explaining that it developed naturally from her athletic background in Brazil and her need to balance herself in very high heels. She says runway walking was about confidence, not just clothing.

She also reflects on what modeling feels like during a photo shoot. For her, the process is close to acting: each shoot creates its own character, mood, and emotion. She says the environment on set — including styling, makeup, lighting, and music — shapes the final image, and that the best results come when she stays present and does not overthink.

Bündchen recalls working with major creative figures including John Galliano, whom she describes as deeply imaginative and cinematic, and Ralph Lauren, whom she remembers as warm, respectful, and elegant. She says repeated collaborations with Michael Thompson were especially memorable because the atmosphere was relaxed and full of laughter, and because the best images often came from unplanned moments. She also values shoots with Inez & Vinoodh and Craig McDean for their artistic vision and willingness to embrace spontaneity.

By the mid-2000s, Bündchen says her life and priorities had shifted. Living more quietly in Boston and developing a spiritual practice helped her slow down and focus less on outside expectations. She says balance became essential, and that confidence now comes from feeling comfortable in her own skin rather than chasing perfection.

For the Summer 2026 cover, photographed by Karim Sadli, Bündchen says she feels fortunate to work selectively and with people she genuinely enjoys. After more than 30 years in front of the camera, she says she understands more deeply how images are made and how they shape feeling. Returning to set, she says, brought back creative energy and joy.