Alessandra Ambrosio is NET-A-PORTER.COM's Latest Cover Star

This week's edition of THE EDIT features supermodel Alessandra Ambrosio in vacation looks by Kenzo, Jason Wu,Jonathan Saunders, Jonathan Simkhai, Dolce & Gabbana, Jennifer Meyer and Carolina Bucci. 

In an exclusive interview, Ambrosio discusses motherhood and how she walked the runway three months after having her first child. "I knew that I had the show to do after having [Anja] - and actually I was expecting my body to go back quicker," Ambrosio says, "It was the first time in my life that I had to diet. Before I had my kids, if I gained one or two pounds I would just eat salad and it would be OK. But when I got pregnant with Anja I really went for it with food. I gained 60lbs, so I had a lot to lose." She started seeing a trainer six times a week and signed up to a calorie-controlled meal-delivery service. "It was 1,500 calories a day as I was breastfeeding. I [was] so excited one day because it said that I was going to have a hamburger. I was at a barbecue and when I opened up the burger box, the bun was as thick as a piece of lettuce. My friends laughed their heads off..." 

Photographed by Miguel Reveriego
Swimsuit by Jason Wu; bracelets by Jennifer Meyer; watch by Givenchy 

Next year Ambrosio is launching Alé by Alessandra, a lifestyle brand that will include clothing, fragrance and accessories. "Hopefully one day I'll have an empire," she smiles. "When I started modelling at 15, after modelling school, I thought it would all be over for me by 19, but that's just not the case anymore." Were her Catholic parents shocked to see their daughter parading down the runway in underwear? "No," she laughs. "Brazil is a very sexual country. Women are always showing their boobs and butts on the beach. And I've been careful: even if I did Playboy, I wouldn't want to do something that looks vulgar." Is that something she is considering? "I would have to discuss it with my family and make sure it was artistic. Cindy Crawford and Stephanie Seymour did it and they made me want to model. It's funny how casual you become about [your breasts] after children. I mean, you breast-feed in front of your parents... Still, after two kids, they're not the same. I'm afraid of having anything done, though: there's too much of that in LA." 

Photographed by Miguel Reveriego
Jacket by Jonathan Simkhai; shorts (part of bikini) by Jason Wu; bracelets by Jennifer Meyer; rings by Carolina Bucci 

When asked how she feels about men objectifying her, she says; ""I feel like my job is to be this beautiful girl who sells clothes. And there are good things about this career: you're inspiring people, making them feel good about themselves Clothes are something that elevate every woman's mood." Does she consider herself a feminist? "A little bit," she says. "I come from a family where women are very strong. They rule the house and I'm the same." 

Photographed by Miguel Reveriego
Top and shorts by Kenzo; necklace by Jennifer Meyer; rings by Carolina Bucci 

That desire never to be subservient, along with a "jealous nature", is why she never joined those models who date A-listers. "I can be quite jealous, and when I see models with famous men, I think, that [is not] for me. I want a man to myself. There's already competition for a normal guy; I'm not up to fighting other women off." Judging by the envious/libidinous gazes of every woman and man as she saunters off, however, I am fairly certain that Alessandra Ambrosio could hold her own. 

Photographed by Miguel Reveriego
Bikini top by Dolce & Gabbana; pants by Erdem; necklace and bracelets by Jennifer Meyer; rings by Carolina Bucci