About
Gracie Carvalho is a Brazilian fashion model celebrated for her warm smile, athletic energy, and ability to glide seamlessly between high-fashion runways and sporty editorial shoots. Born on July 23, 1990, in Campinas, São Paulo, she burst onto the scene in the late 2000s and has stayed relevant ever since, working with labels from Burberry to Victoria’s Secret and posing for magazines such as Vogue Brazil and Elle. Her versatility—equally at home in couture gowns or kick-boxing gloves—has made her a favorite with designers and photographers on several continents.
Before Fame
Carvalho’s professional journey began when she was 18, after she entered a local modeling contest in São Paulo. Within a year she walked 35 of 39 shows at Rio Fashion Week, a record-setting run that signaled a new star was coming. That momentum carried her to New York and Paris for the Fall 2009 season, where she appeared for Carolina Herrera, Stella McCartney, Miu Miu (she was the only model of color in that show), and other marquee houses. Campaign work soon followed—DKNY tapped her in 2009, Tommy Hilfiger in 2010—and the industry began pairing her sunny personality with every style mood from urban streetwear to seaside swim.
Trivia
- Sports on—and off—the runway: Carvalho is an accomplished Muay Thai and Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner. Her martial-arts training caught the attention of NFL star Marshawn Lynch, who signed her as the face of his Beast Mode sportswear label in 2017.
- A purple belt victory lap: In April 2024, she told followers she had earned her purple belt in jiu-jitsu, celebrating the milestone with photos from her academy.
- Calendar girl: She landed a coveted spot in the 2010 Pirelli Calendar, joining an elite list of models immortalized by the collectible project.
- Two-time Angel runway alum: Carvalho walked the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in both 2010 and 2015, something only a handful of Brazilian models have done.
- Fighting fit: Because of her combat training, she often shares conditioning tips and sparring clips with her nearly half-million Instagram followers, proving that fashion and fitness can coexist.
Family Life
Gracie tends to keep relatives out of the spotlight, but she occasionally posts childhood photos and birthday shout-outs that hint at a close-knit, Afro-Brazilian family back in Campinas. When she is home between bookings, she visits her parents and enjoys traditional Brazilian dishes—especially anything involving rice and beans, a comfort-food combo she says reminds her of Sunday lunches growing up. Friends note that her grounded personality stems from those family ties; despite years in New York, Paris, and Los Angeles, she still calls her mother for recipe advice and keeps her father updated on each belt promotion in martial arts. While she has not publicly disclosed siblings’ names or personal details, her social media captions often reference “my brothers and sisters back home,” suggesting a supportive household that cheers her global adventures from afar.
Associated With
- High-fashion collaborators: Designers such as Burberry’s Christopher Bailey, the late Karl Lagerfeld, Ralph Lauren, and Vera Wang have all booked Carvalho for runway or campaign work, praising her adaptable walk and upbeat backstage vibe.
- Editorial partners: In May 2025, she appeared in a Vogue Brazil cover story beside Brazilian trailblazer Valentina Sampaio, celebrating new generations of inclusive beauty. The spread—lensed by Pedro Napolinário—sparked buzz for its vibrant colors and effortless camaraderie between the two models.
- Sportswear and streetwear: In addition to Beast Mode, Carvalho has fronted active collections for H&M and swim campaigns for Calzedonia, blending her athletic interests with commercial fashion.
- Runway sisterhood: She has shared catwalks with fellow Brazilians Alessandra Ambrosio and Shirley Mallmann, and often mentors newer Afro-Brazilian talents by offering casting advice and introducing them to agencies. Interviews credit her with opening doors for others who, like her, come from outside Brazil’s traditional fashion capitals.
