Biography
Catrinel Menghia was born October 1, 1985, in the bustling European city of Iasi, Romania. A natural athlete, this brunette bombshell was well on her way to becoming an Olympic prospect before she was discovered by an enterprising fashion scout at the age of 16 during a school trip to Bucharest. The scout convinced Catrinel Menghia that she belonged on the catwalk and, with her parents' permission, she relocated to the Romanian capital several months later to begin her career in earnest.
catrinel menghia at the ford supermodel of the world contest
Catrinel Menghia’s decision paid off immediately when she was named the second runner-up in the Ford Supermodel of the World contest. The prestigious event made her an instant star, and she soon found herself being whisked across the continent to appear in high-profile advertisements for ADK, Bruno Manetti, Club Neuf, Cotton Club, Emporio Armani Underwear, Hunkemoller, ID Sarrieri, Infiore, JBS, Levi's, Lily, Lovable, Rosemarie, Slip & Bra, Triumph, and Valisere.
catrinel menghia in si swimsuit issue
Catrinel Menghia also began gracing the covers of a number of European publications, including 20 Ani and Class, before graduating to larger international brands such as Maxim, Stuff, FHM, Cosmopolitan, and Fitness. Catrinel Menghia has since appeared in the South African edition of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, and she is presently the face (and sumptuous body) of both Giorgio Armani and the popular French lingerie brand Lise Charmel.
She participated in the Ford Model's Supermodel of the World Romania contest in November 2001, where she won the second runner-up prize.
Menghia now lives in Milan. She has done campaigns for major fashion houses and is the face of Giorgio Armani worldwide. She was also one of the new faces in the 2006 South African Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition and has appeared in FHM and Maxim.
She has been the face of the French lingerie brand Lise Charmel since 2005.
