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Elsa Benítez

By SARA TEMPLETON

Just image - Latino music playing softly in the background, sunny beaches dotted with palm trees, turqoise water lapping gently at white sand.

Mexico has many beautiful places, even richly spiced foods and a relaxed culture, but few knew that one of the world's most successful super models grew up there.

Elsa Benítez is her name and she's about to become a household name.

Elsa was born in the town of Sonora, in Mexico, in 1977. As is often the case with models, Elsa knew what she wanted to do when she was young - her idol was Linda Evangelista. Elsa continued her dream, entering into a model search contest in Costa Rica.

This was in 1995 and after winning the competition the contracts started pouring in. Perhaps it was the blossoming of the Latino explosion?

Her first jobs were in Mexico, but the brunette babe conquered the rest of the Americas and Europe soon after.

Her big breaks began in 1996, when the Mexican managed to appear on the cover of Italian Vogue not once, but three times in the one year. She was the front-girl in April, August and September - testament to her amazing beauty.

This trio of appearances in the one year is almost unheard of in the fashion industry, prompting much attention in the Latin lady. As such, she was signed by Elite Model management. When she starred in the Dolce & Gabbana advert, things went from good to great, with yet more contracts and deals rolling in, thanks to the controversial publicity - perhaps the fashion industry was in need of a bad girl?

There was a fair bit of controversy surrouding the brunette during a shoot for Dolce & Gabbana, which perhaps made her even more of heroine. Elsa Benítez gained much publicity when she modeled in a Dolce & Gabbana ad. The reason for such fame was the subject matter of the ad - homosexuality.

It sparked a lot of controversy for its lesbian subtext, but Elsa wasn't complaining - it shot her straight into the upper echelons of the fashion industry. It wasn't that rude, either. Here, take a look if you're game.

Next up came her domination of the major western magazines. She graced the covers of Vogue, Glamour, Elle, Harper's Bazaar, Mademoiselle and Marie Claire. She's been on the cover of many Australian magazines as well. For instance, in 1997 she appeared on the cover of Elle, Marie Claire in 1999 and even the local edition of Vogue in February of 2000.

Elsa Benítez has completed high-profile advertising campaign roles for companies like Nine West, Macy's, Oscar de la Renta, Dolce & Gabbana. Possibly one of her more recognisable outings has been showing off lingerie for Victoria's Secret.

Elsa was also one of the very few models who were asked to pose for the 1999 Pirelli Calendar. It featured 'Women Through the Decades" and she was photographed as living in the 70s era. While not as mainstream as say Naomi Campbell, Elsa Benítez has the top spot well in her sights, but then she's the kind of girl who, unlike others, isn't out to blow her own horn. Even so, we envision she will become a huge star in the next few years.

Her most recent shoot landed her on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition (2001) - a rather commercial, but still prestigious accolade. The Swimsuit Edition is credited with catapulting many promising models to the top, making them a household names. Elsa is looking to continue this trend.

While it may seem that Elsa Benítez has done everything, she still has a few personal goals to achieve - such as acting. Many models make the move to acting yet so very few make it. Even with this knowledge, the gutsy Mexican is still taking acting lessons and hopes to get roles in both English and Spanish films. Married to retired NBA star, Ron Seikaly, Elsa now lives in New York.

Perhaps one day, we'll even see her on the TV, starring next to Pacino, Cruise and others. Then again...