Supermodel Gisele Bündchen stars in a new campaign for the Chanel J12 watch, shot in the South of France and inspired by her love of the ocean. In an interview, she discussed her environmental advocacy, family life, and confirmed she has no plans to return to the catwalk after her last appearance at the 2016 Rio Olympics opening ceremony. Bündchen emphasized her fulfillment as a mother and her commitment to causes supporting women, children, and the environment.
Gisele Bündchen, the Brazilian supermodel, appears in Chanel's latest J12 watch campaign, featuring imagery of her sailing and immersing herself in ocean waves. The shoot took place in the South of France, reflecting her deep connection to nature. "Being in nature is the biggest blessing for me, because nature is my temple," Bündchen said. "It’s where I reconnect with myself. So it didn’t even feel like work. I was just meditating all day, relaxing, and being with the elements."
At 45, Bündchen is embracing motherhood with her daughter Vivian and a one-year-old at home. She described the joys of parenting: "Kids are just the best. I feel how blessed I am that I get to be a mom. I think I was born for that. It is just joy for me, their smiles; everything makes my day."
Her environmental advocacy stems from experiences like living with the Kisêdjê tribe in the Amazon's Xingu River area for 10 days. This shifted her perspective on issues such as mining, pesticides, and deforestation's impact on Indigenous people. She founded the Luz Foundation in 2007 to support causes, initially environmental and later expanding to women and children. Bündchen serves as a board member for Lotus House in Miami, the largest women's shelter in America, which has helped over 15,000 women and children. Recently, she joined the Earthshot Prize council, finding hope in collaborative solutions: "It’s so wonderful to be a part of this council, because to be in this space with all these people who are coming up with solutions... it gives me a lot of hope."
Bündchen's history with Chanel dates to the Karl Lagerfeld era. She recalled a 2014 show on women's empowerment where she surprised audiences with a megaphone, and a barefoot campaign shoot in Paris streets. Regarding the runway, her final walk was a solo moment at the 2016 Rio Olympics opening ceremony. "The Olympics were such a moment; it was like a spiritual experience for me," she said. "I don’t feel like I’m ever going to have a feeling like that again... this is a great way to close this chapter. I will never say never, but I feel so fulfilled."
On wellness, Bündchen shared her transformation from a high-pressure modeling life involving cigarettes and late nights to daily breathwork, yoga, running, and a protein-vegetable diet. She favors sporty, oversized watches like the J12 for their versatility with her active lifestyle, including biking, paddleboarding, and weight training.
