Adriana Lima Makes ‘Special’ Return to the Runway after 6 Year Hiatus to Focus on Family

Adriana Lima has returned to the runway.

On Thursday, Sept. 26, the Brazilian supermodel, 43, broke her 6-year hiatus from the catwalk to appear in Schiaparelli’s womenswear spring/summer 2025 show at Paris Fashion Week.

“After taking a year off to raise my children, it was so fun being back on the runway today,” Lima tells PEOPLE of her long-awaited return. “And coming back with my friends at Schiaparelli made it that more special!”

Lima strutted the runway in a very ’80s boss lady white striped white dress with corset detailing and the brand’s signature oversize gold buttons. The look was teamed with a pair of oversize statement earrings and a chic top-handle bag. The model wore her hair slicked back, letting her famous cheekbones take center stage.

Makeup icon Pat McGrath shared close-up photos of Lima’s glam look after creating the overall beauty vibe for the show.

Ahead of the event, Lima wore a sleek and sophisticated gray trouser and shirt set with a matching coat.

The model relocated from Miami to Los Angeles in 2023 to focus on time at home with her children. Lima shares two teenage daughters, Valentina and Sienna, with her ex-husband Marko Jarić. In August 2022, she welcomed a son with boyfriend Andre Lemmers. Additionally, Lima is helping raise Lemmers’ two children from a prior relationship.

Lima is also back working with her long-term management company, The Society Management, which represented Lima during the height of her career.

The Schiaparelli show also featured fellow VS “Angels” Kendall Jenner and Candice Swanepoel.

Jenner, 28, wore a white corseted top with denim-like trousers. Swanepoel, 38, looked glamorous in a navy dress with hip details, a gold front zipper and dramatic slit.

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Lima rose to fame as a Victoria’s Secret model and announced her retirement from the company in 2018, after nearly 20 years with the brand.

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In 2023, the model told PEOPLE that she still felt “celebrated” by Victoria’s Secret.

“I feel that as a woman, and still being in fashion — I’m 42 years old and a mom with five kids, so I feel that I’m still being celebrated in this stage of my life,” she said. “It’s great to see that no matter what stage you are [in life], for my kids and the new models coming up, it’s uplifting.”