Gigi Hadid has revealed she felt ashamed during her early modeling career.
The catwalk star, 31, modeled as a child before embarking on a full-time career in the industry after leaving school at 18 and signing with IMG.
She made her debut at New York Fashion Week in February 2014 and a year later she walked the runway for her first Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.
But looking back on her decade as a model, Gigi recalls how she struggled to accept her figure in those early days after being told she needed to lose weight.
Speak with Vogue FranceGigi explained that a “decisive meeting” in her career came when she met Donatella Versace who “everything changed for me, at a time when people were less accepting of my body.’
‘When I started, people said to me, “You’ll never walk on the Victoria’s Secret runway with that body.” Or: ‘You should lose so much weight…'”
Gigi Hadid has revealed that she felt ashamed during her early modeling career and struggled to accept her figure (pictured while walking the Tommy Hilfiger Spring 2016 show in NYC)
‘I didn’t let those judgments touch my heart. I told myself, if people don’t keep believing in me, I’ll find my way somewhere else, on TV, but I knew I had something to offer.”
‘I learned to accept my body. And then Donatella said to me, “Honey, you are the sexiest girl I have ever seen.” She gave me something priceless: trust.”
Donatella hired Gigi to participate in Versace’s spring/summer 2016 show, which Gigi calls a turning point.
“Walking around Milan for such a prestigious fashion house and being chosen as the face of the campaign suddenly allowed me to see myself differently,” she told Vogue.
Next up for the top model is her latest collection with Guest in Residence and a return to the catwalk for the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in October, marking her sixth appearance on the iconic catwalk.
The star has admitted she finally feels like she’s got her work-life balance right and is enjoying time off with her daughter Khai, five, at their Pennsylvania home when she’s not jetting around the world.
She is also enjoying a romance with Hollywood star Bradley Cooper, and talks about how “serene” she feels at the moment.
When asked if the couple talks about their respective jobs, Gigi told Vogue that they do. ‘WWe don’t necessarily understand all the challenges of each other’s work, but the most important thing is that you have someone who supports you – and helps you stay grounded,” she said.
Gigi explained that meeting Donatella Versace “changed everything for me, at a time when people were less accepting of my body” (photo in 2018)
Gigi then revealed how important honesty is in their partnership, explaining: ‘What is so beautiful about my current relationship, and so different from anything I have experienced before, is the ability to be deeply honest. To say what we think, when we think it.’
The couple are currently enjoying life together in Paris while Bradley films a prequel to Ocean’s Eleven starring Margot Robbie.
Gigi said she is enjoying her time in France and could even see herself living in the country full-time.
‘Paris was a working city for a long time. “I landed there, rushed to a hotel where 20 photographers were waiting for me – walking around was not possible – and then I was in the car to a windowless studio,” she explained.
‘But recently, thanks to my friend who loves France and speaks French, I have discovered a completely different Paris that I love. So why not settle there at some point, yes.”
