DUBAI: Gigi Hadid has landed the coveted July cover of V magazine, an American fashion publication that highlights trends in fashion, art and culture. Shot by renowned Italian photographer Mario Sorrenti, who is famous for his spreads for Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, Hadid appears in the magazine in a series of adventurous snaps — hitting the waves on a Fendi-print jet ski, leaping in the air in a Versace cat suit and snorkeling (while decked out in jewelry) in a checkered swimsuit. “There are no words to describe how much fun we had creating this entire story… or how grateful and proud I am to be back on the cover of V by Mario Sorrenti!” Hadid posted on Instagram. “To Stephen Gan, aside from being my fashion godfather from the start of my career in NYC, you have also been a true friend, confidant and mentor to me. I can’t thank you enough for everything, including this cover story experience that … made me feel like my most empowered self,” she added, referring to the magazine’s editor-in-chief and all-around fashion media heavyweight. Interviewed by tennis superstar Serena Williams, who she calls an “amazing friend and powerhouse of a woman,” Hadid shed light on her relationship with her younger sibling, the equally famous Bella Hadid. “I would say that out of everything, Bella and I are the least competitive about our careers. We are more competitive about holiday cooking. “It’s very rare to have what Bella and I have in fashion, what you and Venus have in tennis. I feel very lucky to be able to have a piece of home in my work environment. We are each other’s biggest fans. It has been a huge joy of my life to watch my little sister flourish, and to help when I can,” the 23-year-old added. “I personally really loved the challenge of learning a lot of the fashion ropes on my own when I started working in New York, so I didn’t want to take that experience away from Bella when she started. I was always there whenever she had a question about a specific client or situation, but I tried not to be too protective, which comes naturally to me with her. We’re always FaceTiming to keep each other company on work trips.”