Fashion News: Gisele Tops List of World’s Highest Paid Fashion Models

Congratulations go out to Gisele Bundchen for topping the list of highest paid fashion models. She has successfully transformed herself from supermodel to business mogul, stepping off the runway and into the role of pop icon. Apparently being the wife of NFL superstar, Tom Brady and a first time mom is agreeing with Bundchen. In fact, this mega-beauty hasn’t lost a step career wise. Bundchen is still very much a money-making force within the fashion industry and a brand name herself. A short list of Gisele endorsements has included Christian Dior, Victoria Secret, Louis Vuitton. She has also appeared in advertisements for Nivea and her most recent campaign is with H&M for their Spring/Summer 2011 collection. Check it out below.

“Gisele Bundchen is clearly in a class by herself, She’s has international iconic power behind her beautiful statuesque frame. When Bundchen associates herself with a product it has been proven time and time again that sales go up. The economic impact of Bundchen-backed campaigns has placed her far ahead of her peers in earnings. The Brazilian bombshell has made an estimated $45 million over the past 12 months. Her earnings received an infusion of a staggering $20 million over the previous year alone. Gisele is a Latin American business owner as well. You can add one hotel and a successful footwear line to her earning portfolio. Loves it!

Heidi Klum came in at a distant No. 2 to Gisele with estimated earnings of $20 million. Alessandra Ambrosio lags even further behind the front runner only pulling in $5 million in the past year after becoming the new face of Colcci clothing (Gisele’s sloppy seconds, but still hot) together with Ashton Kutchner. A new name to watch is Lara Stone who brought in $4.4 million after striking deals with popular fashion houses like Versace, Prada and an exclusive contract with Calvin Klein. And that’s the biggest name in the fashion republic today.

While elite models like Gisele are prospering, newcomers aren’t scoring the same paydays as before the recession, with companies continuing to keep spending reined in. There have been substantial adjustments in rates — maybe not for Gisele, but for the daily working models– and most people.