Name: Daniela Pestova
Birthday: October 14, 1970
Birth Place: Teplice, Czech Republic
Zodiac Sign: Libra
Height: 180cm (5' 11")
Body Measurement: 87cm 59cm 91cm (34 - 23 - 35)
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Blonde
Occupation: Model
Daniela was discovered in Prague at age 19 by Dominique
Caffin of Madison agency. She had planned to study for
a degree in Education. Daniela has had two calendars
and appeared in the Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition
in 1995 and 1998, and was the cover model in 1995. She
has earned the nickname "The Chameleon" for
being able to change her look easily and describes herself
as a health-freak. Daniela has thought of becoming a
translator once she finishes modelling. She is married
to Tommaso Buti, the former CEO of the Fashion Café
and they have a son, Yannick Fausto. She left Buti in
1998. Daniela also has two Jack Russell terriers, Tino
and Soda.
Born on October 14, 1970 in the Czech Republic, Daniela
Pestova has made her mark in the modeling world. Appearing
in GUESS? ads in 1990 with Claudia Schiffer, Daniela
was transformed into a super star practically over night
- just one year after leaving her communist homeland.
Shot by Ellen Von Unwerth in Morocco, Daniela and Claudia
were pictured in some of the most memorable images of
GUESS? advertising history. At 511 with
blonde hair and blue eyes, she looks like the all-American
girl. Her looks were admired by Paul Marciano, president
and creative director of GUESS?, Inc. who has a reputation
for picking out the yet undiscovered faces that will
become the supermodels of today.
Born and raised behind the Iron Curtain during a time
of political chaos, dreams were not expected to come
true for Daniela. However, she was in the right place
at the right time when she was discovered in Prague
by Dominique Caffin of the Madison modeling agency at
the age of 19. She had planned to attend college for
a degree in Education when she was spotted going into
a theatre. He asked her to enter a modelling contest,
which she won, and flew her to Paris to sign with his
agency.
In 1992, without speaking a word of English (but fluent
in Italian, Russian, French and Czech), she moved to
New York. Her career skyrocketed as she appeared on
the covers of major fashion magazines - including Cosmopolitan,
Elle, Marie Claire and Glamour. In 1994, she landed
a huge contract with L'Oreal to become a spokesperson
and print model and also began a long-running relationship
with Victoria's Secret.
Daniela is married to Tomasso Buti, the former CEO
of the Fashion Cafe. Buti resigned in September 1998
from his management role at the model-fronted eatery,
amid allegations that he squandered funds. Daniela and
Tomasso are currently separated. Daniela gave birth
to their son in 1996. His name is Yannick Fausto.
Professionally, she is most proud of nabbing the cover
of Sports Illustrated's 1995 swimsuit issue. She admits
she needs to watch her weight by not eating sweets like
cookies or chocolate and by staying away from bread
- her weakness. When her modelling career is over, she
says she would like to become a translator or perhaps
just spend her days having more children and running
on the beach with her dogs. For now, however, shes
happy with modelling, especially for her own swimsuit
calendar.
Daniela came from a well to do family in the former
Czechoslovakia. Shortly after signing with Madison,
she found that it would be more beneficial for her to
sign with a U.S. agency. She moved to New York and jumped
over to Spectrum, until the company dissolved. She then
signed with Elite. She is known mostly for her pictures
in the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issues and Victoria's
Secret. Daniela is an excellent linguist and would like
to see her talent used after her career as a model.
She knows Russian, French, Italian, and Czech. At the
height of her modelling career, she did not know a word
of English, but today speaks it perfectly with only
a hint of an accent. Also, when she first began, booking
a job for her was very difficult due to her country
being Communist at the time.