Ipanema launches 4th Gisele Bundchen collection

By Dinna Chan Vasquez

Gisele B?ndchen is the world?s highest-paid model, according to Forbes magazine. She is also one of the richest women in entertainment, with earnings of over $70 million in two years. A-list actor Leonardo DiCaprio is her ex and she is reportedly engaged to New York Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.

Not bad for someone who was called Olive Oyl in school because of her lanky frame.

B?ndchen?s popularity is believed to be the reason for the current demand for Brazilian models in the world, including the Philippines.

Born in Horizontina, Rio de Grande do Sul, Brazil nearly 29 years ago, B?ndchen is actually of German ancestry as her great-great-grandparents migrated to Brazil from Germany.

She is not only beautiful and famous as B?ndchen has taken steps to address the issue of forest reforestation.

B?ndchen and Grendene, the company that produces and sells her line of Ipanema sandals, joined the Forests of the Future project for the reforestation of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. The new forest, named for Gisele B?ndchen Sementes, started with 25,500 shoots of 100 different species, enough to revitalize an area of 15 hectares. The model and the company found a place near headwaters of rivers and that the quality of local water was also monitored.

The project Forests of the Future was created by a non-government organization named SOS Atlantic Forest in 2004. Until October 2007, 800,000 seedlings of trees had been planted. The number is believed to have reached 1,133,000 in 2008.

The fourth limited-edition Gisele B?ndchen collection for Ipanema, called Seeds, and distributed in the country by ELRO Commercial and Industrial Corp., combines comfort, modern style and eco-chic.

The flip flops and sandals are made from safe, recycled materials and supplies such as industrial residue and surplus PVC.

In the Philippines, the GB Seeds collection takes the green stance further by teaming up with the Haribon Foundation for an awareness campaign on the preservation of rain forests in the Philippines.

ELRO and Haribon Foundation have organized a walkathon called ?Walk the Green Mile? on March 21 to benefit the ?ROAD to 2020? (Rain forest Organizations and Advocates) projects, which include planting and growing native trees to 1 million hectares of the country?s rain forests until 2020.

The new GB collection features unique details such as forest-inspired print on the soles and the metal spiral button gracing the front sandal strap symbolizing ?the seed of life.? The metal emblem empowers the wearer doing her part and share in the campaign toward a lush Philippines by helping to spread the word.

The collection has five styles, including ?New Thong Fem,? which is made with double straps; the classic thong-styled ?Thong Fem? that adds that funky flattery on the go; ?Sand Fem?; the ?Thong Strap Ad,? which combines the classic thong strap with a uniquely positioned horizontal strap; and ?Plataforma Fem,? a wedged sandal that lets you look lean and tall.

The collection was launched at Le Souffl?, The Fort, Taguig with a mini dance show showing the dancers wearing the collection.

Francisco Elizalde, ELRO?s managing director, says sales have surpassed the company?s expectations.

?Gisele B?ndchen is very popular here and her collection always sells well, despite the fact that it is about 30 percent more expensive that the regular line,? he adds.

Register now for ?Walk the Green Mile? and get exciting prizes and freebies. The first 30 persons who finish the walkathon get a free pair of Ipanema GB Seeds flip-flops of their choice. The first 300 people to join and register on March 21 will get a limited-edition Ipanema Gisele B?ndchen baller ID while the first 100 participants to register at the venue will receive a limited- edition ?Walk the Green Mile? shirt.

Those who join the walkathon and purchase Ipanema GB Seeds slippers at the Ipanema booth set up during the event will get 10 percent off the regular price. Up to three pairs of Ipanema GB Seeds flip flops signed by B?ndchen will also be raffled off to participants who buy from the collection during the event.

The walkathon starts at the parking lot near Le Souffl?. Registration opens at 3 p.m., while the walk starts at 5 p.m.

For more information, contact Maricel Mabalot at 753-3647 to 48, local 103 or e-mail cel.mabalot@elrocom.com.