Adriana Lima prompted a fresh wave of reaction to her appearance as she attended the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Madrid closing party at the Reina Sofía Museum on September 18.
The 45-year-old supermodel wore a floor-length black gown and a tightly swept-back ponytail, with photographs from the evening sparking comparisons with her much-discussed appearance at a Hunger Games premiere in 2023.
Her Madrid look featured a high neckline and a sleeveless cut, with the fabric falling closely through her waist and hips before pooling into a small train. Long black ties hung at one side, adding movement to the otherwise understated design.
Adriana paired the dress with delicate drop earrings featuring green stones and a slim sparkling bracelet. Her pale pink manicure complemented the soft blush on her cheeks, while defined lashes, subtle eyeliner and glossy rose lipstick completed her make-up.
Posing against the event's black backdrop, she kept her accessories minimal, leaving the gown's clean silhouette and her sleek hairstyle to take centre stage.
© Getty ImagesAdriana Lima's Madrid appearance sparks fan reaction
The photographs quickly circulated online, drawing praise as well as renewed debate about the scrutiny Adriana had faced following the birth of her youngest child.
"Back to the Victoria's Secret era," one admirer wrote, while another criticised the way she had previously been treated: "People will kick you at your lowest and call it critique."
Other responses focused on how different they felt she looked. Among the positive reactions one fan wrote: "I've fallen in love again, so beautiful."
© Getty ImagesHer appearance came at a busy time professionally. Alongside attending the closing celebration, she fronted El Corte Inglés' autumn-winter campaign, following an earlier collaboration with the Spanish retailer in spring.
© Getty ImagesWhy Adriana Lima responded to criticism in 2023
Adriana previously addressed speculation about her face after attending the Los Angeles premiere of The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes in November 2023.
Some social media users described her as unrecognizable, prompting the model to share a make-up-free selfie on Instagram Stories.
She introduced the photograph as "The face of a tired mom", listing the demands of caring for children at different ages and three dogs, before ending with a pointed response: "Thanks for your concern."
© Getty ImagesThe post brought attention back to the family life behind the red carpet photographs. Adriana had welcomed son Cyan with Andre Lemmers in August 2022, joining her daughters Valentina and Sienna from her previous marriage to Marko Jarić. She also helped raise Andre's two children from an earlier relationship.
What Adriana Lima said about her postpartum body
Earlier in 2023, Adriana had already spoken about adjusting to the physical changes that followed her third pregnancy.
In an interview with People, she described acceptance as something she was still working on. "Every day I have to remind myself that, 'Listen, accept who you are. Accept your body,'" she said.
She explained that her body was still changing after having a baby and that the experience had brought moments of insecurity. She also acknowledged that pregnancy and recovery could affect people differently, and that getting older had changed how her own body responded.
© WWDAdriana Lima's return to the runway
Adriana subsequently returned to the catwalk for Schiaparelli's spring-summer 2025 show in Paris in September 2024. Speaking to People about the appearance, she described the pleasure of returning to work after focusing on her family. "After taking a year off to raise my children, it was so fun being back on the runway today," she said.
Adriana Lima's message about ageing and confidence
In her December 2023 interview with Harper's Bazaar Arabia, Adriana revisited the Hunger Games photographs and the reaction they had prompted. "It did not bother me at all," she said.
She recalled feeling good before leaving for the premiere and receiving compliments from her children. Although she was surprised by how she appeared in the photographs, she explained that those images did not reflect how she saw herself. Reflecting on the years since she began modelling, Adriana made her position clear: "I embrace my age and I will not change for anyone."
