Oliveira was christened "The Sensation" at the fall fashion shows in Paris and Milan. She was one of the most talked about models of the season alongside older fellow Elite stars Adriana Lima, Maggie Rizer, Oluchi and Karen Elson, and she continued so the seasons later on. Her first job was a Christian Dior campaign which she shot with photographer Nick Knight that appeared in Vogue, Vanity Fair, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Mademoiselle, and other fashion magazines. In 2001 Raica Oliveira was ranked by the magazine Istoe Gente to be on of the best paid Brazilian supermodels, earning US$300,000 for working for famous fashion brands and walking more than 76 fashion shows in only two seasons. She is also featured in a Dolce & Gabbana parfums campaign in 2003. Raica was photoshooted for a Yves Saint Laurent and a La Perla advertisement in 2004. Raica posed half-nude for the Pirelli Calendar in 2005 .