Six Minutes With Linda Evangelista
The supermodel chatted about her new book with Steven Meisel, the controversial September Vogue cover and solidarity for the Hollywood writers' and actors' strikes.
Despite having been a dominant force in fashion, supermodel Linda Evangelista quietly weaved through the crowd at Wednesday night's Phaidon x Christie's “100 Years of Creativity” party.
Even as one of the event's cohosts, the 58-year-old Canadian was ever-cordial and unhurried with friends and well-wishers alike. Her first Phaidon book with fashion photographer Steven Meisel, “Linda Evangelista Photographed by Steven Meisel,” will be released Wednesday.
Omnipresent as she was in the '90s, Evangelista had retreated from the fashion scene for a substantial amount of time. After CoolSculpting sessions left her disfigured in 2015, she experienced paradoxical adipose hyperplasia and stayed indoors. With the support of her fellow supermodels and others like Kim Jones of Fendi, Evangelista returned to modeling in recent seasons. She has also headlined “The Super Models,” a new docuseries that will be released on Sept. 20 by Apple TV+.
The noisy din of Wednesday night's Phaidon-Christie's party didn't deter Evangelista from speaking with WWD about the new book, this month's controversial Vogue cover and how she's just living her life. She also was inclined to give each question some thought before responding.
WWD: Do you have a favorite book? Linda Evangelista:
(Long pause) Oh, there are so many. I think “Vanishing Grace [Bringing Good News to a Deeply Divided World” by Philip Yancey] because it's absolutely stunning.”
WWD: How did you enjoy being the subject of a book? L.E.:
It was really hard for me to do a book. I had to get my head around the thought that people may enjoy a book of me. I had more fun making it with Steven [Meisel] like we did making the photos. We were in agreement almost 99 percent of the time. It was just fun and it's a celebration of our work.
WWD: How did you and Steven first meet? L.E.:
We first me in '87 on a Vogue shoot. We clicked right away.
WWD: Are you looking forward to the docuseries being released? L.E:.
In solidarity, with the [picketing] writers and the actors, we've chosen not to speak about it unfortunately. I'm a SAG member.
WWD: What else is coming up that you are working on? L.E.:
I'm just living life at this point. I've always lived in New York.
WWD: It seems that now more than ever people are so glad to see you. Are you enjoying the renewed appreciation for you? L.E.:
I feel so blessed that my industry still chooses to work with me. They don't hold anything against me — my age or the way that I look. They know how much I have to work so I am really blessed that there are still many, who are very accepting of me.
WWD: When you were starting out in fashion, did you ever imagine what this stage of your life might be like? L.E.:
Oh no, not at all. I just wanted to work. I didn't really care what I did. My goal or my dream was to be on the cover of Vogue. But never did I think that that would happen. I have been on five September Vogue covers now. And I just keep counting my blessings.
WWD: What did you think of the reaction to this month’s cover [featuring Evangelista with Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington and Cindy Crawford]?
L.E.: I didn't really see the reaction. Was it a bad reaction or a good reaction?
WWD: Some people were critical of it. L.E:. What didn't they like?
WWD: They felt it was too retouched? L.E.: Well, if you look at the video footage…I say look at the video footage of the behindthe-scenes. We don't look that different.
One thing that happens with many people or models is that [She was then interrupted mid-sentence by a bespectacled female guest, who offered, “I absolutely love you. That's the only thing I came here to say.” “You're so sweet,” she said, outstretching one of her palms across her sternum. “Thank you.”] some people are very photogenic, if you flash [a camera] right in front of their face, their face grabs the light. I say look at the behind-the-scenes.
WWD: Do many strangers often approach you, as one just did? L.E.:
Well, tonight, maybe that's because they recognize me tonight. Usually, when I'm out on the street, I'm not recognized.
WWD: Do you prefer that — the anonymity of New York?
L.E.: Of course, I do. But I mean it's so nice. It's nice to be out also. It's good to get me out of the house.