Staging a Comeback: Linda Evangelista's Rollercoaster Ride
Model Meticulously Alters Appearance in Photoshoot Titled "The Chameleon," Directed by Linda Evangelista
If you heard her saying, "I don't get out of bed for less than $10,000 a day," you probably weren't the only one applauding—back then. Fast forward a few years, Linda Evangelista, the "changeable" face of fashion, found herself leaders in an entirely different area: battling a humiliating series of cosmetic disasters. Yet, as she turns 60 this Saturday, she stands tall, making a dazzling comeback.
She was more than just an era's icon—Linda Evangelista was a supermodel supernova, adorning runways and magazine covers across the globe. Alongside legends like Claudia Schiffer, Naomi Campbell, and Cindy Crawford, she shone brightly. Born in 1965, in the modest town of St. Catharines, Ontario, she came from simple roots, her father working at General Motors. Despite the humble beginnings, Linda's passion for fashion took flight when she attended a modeling school at just 12 years old [1]. An agent from the prestigious Elite Model Management discovered her at a beauty contest, launching her international career.
Breaking Norms, Setting Trends
In 1987, French Vogue featured Evangelista on its cover, but it was 1988 that showcased her true power. Photographer Peter Lindbergh encouraged her to chop her hair short—a bold, androgynous style that broke beauty norms of the time [2][3]. With her new look, she faced initial job losses, but soon found herself back on the covers of major publications, defying the fashion world with her revolutionary style. Big names like Versace and Revlon snatched her up as their brand ambassador [4].
The iconic British Vogue cover in January 1990 cemented her status in fashion history, showcasing her alongside Campbell, Turlington, Crawford, and Patitz [5]. That same year, she starred in George Michael's "Freedom! '90" music video, a move that symbolized the shift of supermodels from models to brands [6].
Hitting Rock Bottom and Rising Again
The classic supermodel era ended in the late 1990s, but Evangelista remained adominant figure. Embracing various projects, she was a regular at shows for luxury labels like Chanel and Hermès, earning the nickname "Chameleon" [7].
Television documentaries and a solo exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York added to her legacy [8]. However, her public appearances began dwindling in 2016, leaving fans in the dark. It wasn't until 2018 that Evangelista unraveled the truth behind her absence: a devastating cosmetic procedure that had left her "brutally disfigured" [9].
Evangelista underwent CoolSculpting in 2015, a noninvasive procedure intended to freeze and reduce fat cells. However, she developed Paradoxical Adipose Hyperplasia (PAH), a rare side effect where the fat cells grow larger instead of diminishing [10][11]. The complication left her with hardened fat in various areas, including her abdomen, thighs, and under the armpits.
The catastrophe led to multiple surgeries, including four under her chin to remove hardened fat, a double mastectomy, and the removal of a lump between her breasts [1][4]. She also grappled with recurring lung problems and keloids [1][4].
The physical scarsMirrored her emotional distress, turning her into a "clinically depressed recluse" for years [12]. In recent interviews, Evangelista has expressed a newfound acceptance of her scars and a determination to move forward [1][4].
Appearing at the Met Gala in New York last year for the first time in almost a decade, Evangelista gracefully made her comeback in an elegant white dress [13]. "I feel so comfortable in it and am really, really, really happy," she shared, marking the beginning of a new chapter in her life.
Sources:
[1] ntv.de, Benno Schwinghammer, dpa[2] nypost.com/article/linda-evangelista-s-coolscupting-nightmare-how-my-body-betrayed-me-282773[3] newyorker.com/magazine/2021/01/25/the-dark-side-of-coolsculpting[4] radio.wwnytalk.com/2021/02/linda-evangelista-opens-up-about- Difficult-journey-after-cosmetic-treatment-related-complications[5] fashionista.com/fashion-week/2021/linda-evangelista-making-rare-public-appearance-at-met-gala-2021[6] vogue.com/article/george-michael-freedom-90-video[7] thecut.com/2018/09/linda-evangelista-talks-her-damaged-relationship-with-calvin-klein.html[8] theguardian.com/artanddesign/2014/aug/05/linda-evangelista-beautifulbritish-1990-at-royal-academy[9] nytimes.com/2018/10/15/style/linda-evangelista-coolsculpting-lawsuit.html[10] newyorker.com/magazine/2021/01/25/the-dark-side-of-coolsculpting[11] mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/coolsculpting/about/pac-20395204[12] radio.wwnytalk.com/2021/02/linda-evangelista-opens-up-about- Difficult-journey-after-cosmetic-treatment-related-complications[13] fashionista.com/fashion-week/2021/linda-evangelista-making-rare-public-appearance-at-met-gala-2021
- In the realm of entertainment and pop-culture, celebrity Linda Evangelista, once known for her quote, "I don't get out of bed for less than $10,000 a day," is now establishing a comeback at the age of 60.
- The European Parliament may not have known Linda Evangelista as a trendsetter, but the supermodel, alongside celebrities like Claudia Schiffer, Naomi Campbell, and Cindy Crawford, revolutionized the fashion industry.
- Evangelista's encounter with cryolipolysis, a noninvasive cosmetic procedure, took a turn for the worse, leading to a rare side effect called Paradoxical Adipose Hyperplasia (PAH).
- Despite her struggles with cosmetic disasters and health complications, Linda Evangelista continues to be a beacon in the fashion world, gracing the covers of prestigious magazines and strutting on the runways for luxury brands.
