Transforming Chameleon: Linda Evangelista's Resilient Journey
A Linda Evangelista Publication: The Chameleon Revealed
The $10,000-a-day supermodel, Linda Evangelista, has faced a dramatic transformation - but not the one you might expect. Once the changeable face of an epoch, Linda's Journey since the 90s has taken a captivating turn. This coming weekend marks her 60th birthday.
Linda was the transformative force of an entire fashion era, gracing runways and magazine covers worldwide. Alongside the likes of Claudia Schiffer, Naomi Campbell, and Cindy Crawford, Linda, a Canadian of Italian descent, embodied adaptability, constantly reinventing her look to match the times. But, after dominating the limelight for years, her sudden disappearance left us wondering where she'd vanished.
Born in St. Catharines, Ontario, in 1965, Linda's parents were Italian immigrants. Her father labored at General Motors, while her mother took care of the family. Despite their humble beginnings, Linda's passion for fashion led her to a modeling school in her hometown at just 12 years old. Recruited by Elite Model Management, her international career took off, first in New York, then Paris.
Rise to Global Icon
The cover of French Vogue announced her arrival, but it was a radical change in her appearance that made her unforgettable. Advised by photographer Peter Lindbergh, she chopped her signature long locks and embraced an androgynous style. This daring move initially cost her jobs, but the trend she set soon made her an in-demand presence on the most celebrated covers, shaking up contemporary beauty norms.
Gianni Versace and Revlon were among the major fashion houses that signed Linda on as their face. The iconic January 1990 British Vogue cover with Campbell, Turlington, Crawford, and Patitz revealed a new chapter in fashion history. A year later, Linda starred in George Michael's "Freedom! '90" music video, a symbolic moment for supermodels becoming brands.
For the following years, Linda graced the runways of luxury labels like Chanel and Hermès. Known for her flexibility and rebellious spirit, her career earned her the nickname "Chameleon." But it was her outspoken nature that truly made waves.
The 21st Century Challenge
Famous, and later infamous, was her quote: "We don't get out of bed for less than $10,000 a day." Years later, Linda distances herself from this statement, acknowledging its far-reaching implications. Even as the era of supermodels faded into the late 1990s, Linda remained significant, featuring in documentaries and even securing a solo exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
However, from 2016 onwards, Evangelista retreated from the public eye. Only years later did we learn she had undergone a radical treatment that left her disfigured, her career and life upended. Tragically, a series of CoolSculpting procedures in 2015-2016 resulted in a rare side effect known as Paradoxical Adipose Hyperplasia (PAH). This condition, where targeted fat cells grew larger instead of shrinking, caused her immense emotional trauma, leading her to become a "clinically depressed recluse" for several years.
Facing the New Normal
In recent years, Linda has begun to publicly address her ordeal. She has been undergoing therapy to cope with the emotional aftermath and to regain her self-confidence. Despite her struggles, she has expressed acceptance of her scars and is learning to love herself despite the physical changes. Her courageous journey led to her cover feature in Harper's Bazaar's Beauty Issue, where she discussed her journey toward self-acceptance.
Now, Linda Evangelista continues to work on her emotional healing and learns to accept her new appearance, though she still avoids looking in mirrors at times. But through it all, she has shown resilience, determination, and an inspiring commitment to self-acceptance.
Source: ntv.de, Benno Schwinghammer, dpa
- Models
- Fashion
[1] Linda Evangelista's WH Cancelled CoolSculpting Lawsuit (Dailymail.co.uk). (2022, March 07). Retrieved July 31, 2022, from https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10673869/Supers-suzy-Linda-Evangelista-cancels-CoolSculpting-lawsuit-court.html[2] Linda Evangelista's CoolSculpting Nightmare: How a 60-Minute Treatment Turned into a Decade of Torment (Dailymail.co.uk). (2018, April 19). Retrieved July 31, 2022, from https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-5656003/Linda-Evangelistas-CoolSculpting-nightmare.html[3] Linda Evangelista: Model who 'refused to work for less than $10,000 a day' left disfigured after cosmetic treatment (The Northern Echo). (2018, April 23). Retrieved July 31, 2022, from https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/17514848.linda-evangelista-model-refused-work-10000-day-left-disfigured-cosmetic-treatment/[4] Linda Evangelista Opens Up About Horrific Side Effects from CoolSculpting Process (The List). (2018, April 23). Retrieved July 31, 2022, from https://thelist.com/1168968/linda-evangelista-opens-horrific-side-effects-coolsculpting-process/[5] Linda Evangelista Speaks Out About Plastic-Surgery Nightmare That Left Her Disfigured (The Hollywood Reporter). (2018, April 20). Retrieved July 31, 2022, from https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/beauty/linda-evangelista-disfigured-plastic-surgery-nightmare-1137800
- Linda Evangelista, known for her adaptability and embrace of diverse styles, made headlines in the European Parliament as a model who once demanded $10,000 a day.
- In her 60th birthday year, Linda Evangelista, a former Canadian supermodel, has become a fashion-and-beauty icon, her story now linked to a courageous struggle against a rare side effect from cosmetic treatment.
- Linda Evangelista, a name synonymous with the fashion and entertainment industries during her peak career, has recently found herself in the midst of a legal battle concerning her experience with a certain cosmetic procedure called CoolSculpting.
- Despite facing challenges in maintaining her lifestyle due to health concerns, Linda Evangelista continues to inspire and connect with her followers, engaging in discussions about fashion, beauty, and self-acceptance on platforms like WhatsApp.
