Lisa Bruning Modeling The World

Photography: Simone Paccini
Styling: Alessandro Ferrari
Assistant: Stuti Singh 
Creative: Bruno Farhat
Make up: Noemi Auetasc
Hair: Angel Geranio
Creative Director: Bruno Farhat @ TM Studio

Born in the coastal town of Paraty in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Lisa Bruning began her modeling career at just 15. Raised close to nature by her parents, she has spent the past decade living and working in more than ten countries, building an international career in fashion while sharing her experiences in the industry, along with her passions and future projects.

You began your modelling career at just 15 years old. Can you share more about how you were discovered and what those early days in the industry were like for you?

Although I was raised outside of any concept of fashion or beauty, always the child who spent the most time outdoors and close to nature, I had a passion for dressing up.

Living between Brazil and Germany, every summer until I turned 13 I spent at my grandmother's house in Bonn, the beautiful and ancient capital of Germany. Rummaging through her wardrobe was one of my greatest passions; it was like discovering a new world each time. I dressed for her and put on my own fashion show in the living room.

Then, when I turned 14 and started to have access to magazines, TV and the internet, I asked my parents about a modeling career. Coincidentally, a very close friend of ours, Sandra, was a model in her early years and was instrumental in helping us find a reliable agency in São Paulo. Six months later, I signed my first contract with an agency in Milan, where I also participated in my first Fashion Week.

What inspired you to pursue a career in modeling, and how did it all start for you?

As a child, I was already very communicative. I loved doing theater at school and, as I mentioned before, dressing up always fascinated me. After my first photoshoot and seeing the whole production, I knew I wanted to repeat the experience many times.

My father accompanied me that first time and knew I wouldn’t let this go. Over time I also realized other things that connected me even more to a modeling career, such as traveling, seeing the world and working with different cultures.

I was raised by two immigrant parents in a completely different culture and, even before I started modeling, they took me on very diverse backpacking trips. As a model, I saw the opportunity to continue these experiences while building a career.

Is there a particular runway show or designer collaboration that holds a special place in your heart, and why?

Through my modeling career I met many special people, but in my first years I met the stylist and designer David Pollak. He gave me the opportunity to open my first fashion show ever for over 500 people while a famous Brazilian band was playing during the show. I was very nervous.

Later we also did several campaigns together. I opened another fashion show alongside a famous Brazilian actor, Bruno Gagliasso. That show opened many doors for me in Brazil and helped me start an international career.

David and I still keep in touch, and a few years after I moved from Brazil he named his cat Lisa.

Looking back, is there a job that feels like a turning point in your career, and what made it so significant to you?

I mentioned some experiences above from my first year as a model, and after moving to Europe, working with brands like Bershka in Spain and La Perla in Italy helped me build a better client network and reach a higher career level.

But making my first Red Carpet appearance in Cannes last year was also a major turning point. I had the pleasure of wearing a Brazilian brand from Rio de Janeiro for the debut, while Brazil was the guest of honor at the 25th Cannes Film Festival.

When do you think your career changed for the better?

The moment I understood that the fashion industry, or any other business, cannot define who I am. Once I realized that modeling helped me become a stronger woman and more open-minded, connecting me with different worlds — but that it’s still my job, not who I am — I gained more confidence and things improved.

I think it also has to do with maturity, since we models grow up and gain independence much earlier. And also never forgetting where we came from.

Beyond your modelling career, do you have other passions or projects that you're currently pursuing or interested in exploring in the future?

Yes. 2026 is a big year for me with two projects. The first is my parents’ pousada in Paraty, which they built 27 years ago — my age now. It’s a great honor and responsibility because it represents everything my parents built throughout their lives in Brazil. I’m renovating the place and adapting it to my style, definitely with a strong influence from my modeling side. Later I want to connect brands and host campaigns and advertising shoots there, providing the full structure for fashion productions in my hometown.

My other project is something I’m truly passionate about. I’ve been sailing since childhood, something my father taught me. I started through a social project for children in my hometown, where my father worked for many years and still serves on the board. Last year I also became a board member.

The board members of the Paraty Nautical Institute (INP) aim to expand opportunities for the non-profit institution and provide participating children with the chance to transform their lives through sport, nature and education. My modeling career connects me with many people, and I want to use those connections for something meaningful.

What's the biggest challenge you've faced in the modeling industry, and how did you overcome it?

There are challenges all the time, things outsiders would never imagine. We start this career very young, so we often feel alone, far from family and always surrounded by new people. Living out of a suitcase can be difficult.

It’s also about understanding that this is a profession where we work directly with our bodies and hearing comments about your appearance is part of the job. I’ve learned not to take things personally — or at least I’m still learning.

Not living only in the fashion world helps as well. I’m finishing college next year, a four-year course, and the decision to study helped me a lot.

Having worked with so many people in the industry, what's the best advice you've ever received?

It might sound cliché, but: "If you don’t believe in yourself, nobody else will.” And I wish I had heard that sooner.

Do you have any tips or routines for staying in shape that you could share with our readers?

My best advice is to find exercises you actually enjoy — running, weight training, swimming or anything else. Try different options and when you find something you like, make it part of your routine.

It also helps to understand what you’re eating and how your body works. When you become aware of that, you automatically make healthier choices. And I think it’s always important to have guidance from a professional.