Linda Evangelista through the years.
Linda Evangelistawas a reigning catwalk queen in the ’90s, walking runways around the world — alongside her fellow “Supers"Naomi Campbell,Cindy Crawford,Christy TurlingtonandClaudia Schiffer— and starring in major campaigns for Clairol, Chanel and more.
But her life in the spotlight came to a halt six years ago, after she alleges acosmetic procedure left her “permanently deformed.”
Here, a look back at Evangelista’s legendary career moments.
01of 25A Star Is BornLinda Evangelista’s early modeling days.Growing up near Niagara Falls in Canada, Evangelista dreamed of becoming a model and taped magazine pages of iconic ’70s faces like Joan Severance and Janice Dickinson to her walls.“I loved fashion so much,” she told PEOPLE.In 1977, a newspaper ad for a local modeling school caught her eye. That eventually led to the Miss Teen Niagara Pageant in 1981. She didn’t win, but a scout from the prestigious Elite agency was in the audience. Evangelista landed her first job three years later, in an ad for hairstylist Jean Louis David.“He cut my hair and photographed me,” she recalled. “The cherry on top was that I got paid. I couldn’t believe my big fortune.”
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A Star Is Born
Linda Evangelista’s early modeling days.
Growing up near Niagara Falls in Canada, Evangelista dreamed of becoming a model and taped magazine pages of iconic ’70s faces like Joan Severance and Janice Dickinson to her walls.
“I loved fashion so much,” she told PEOPLE.
In 1977, a newspaper ad for a local modeling school caught her eye. That eventually led to the Miss Teen Niagara Pageant in 1981. She didn’t win, but a scout from the prestigious Elite agency was in the audience. Evangelista landed her first job three years later, in an ad for hairstylist Jean Louis David.
“He cut my hair and photographed me,” she recalled. “The cherry on top was that I got paid. I couldn’t believe my big fortune.”
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Linda Evangelista’s early modeling days.Daniel SIMON/Gamma-Rapho/getty
Evangelista’s career quickly skyrocketed, and in the mid ’80s she found herself on the Paris Fashion Week circuit, seen here in bold hues and prints at the Yves Saint Laurent show in 1985.
“People told my mom, ‘She’s so tall, she should be a model,’ " Evangelista shared.
03of 25The Model as MuseLinda Evangelista and Karl Lagerfeld.David Turnley/Corbis/VCG via GettyEarly on in her career, Evangelista formed close relationships with the industry’s top designers, including Chanel’sKarl Lagerfeld(here backstage at one of Chanel’s fashion shows in the early ’90s).“Karl really adored Linda,“André Leon Talley told PEOPLE. “He made sure she got very special looks.”
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The Model as Muse
Linda Evangelista and Karl Lagerfeld.David Turnley/Corbis/VCG via Getty
Early on in her career, Evangelista formed close relationships with the industry’s top designers, including Chanel’sKarl Lagerfeld(here backstage at one of Chanel’s fashion shows in the early ’90s).
“Karl really adored Linda,“André Leon Talley told PEOPLE. “He made sure she got very special looks.”
04of 25Chanel CrewLinda Evangelista’s early modeling days.Foc Kan/WireImageSchiffer, Lagerfeld, Turlington, Evangelista and Kristen McMenamy looked like a fashion fairytale at the Chanel Fashion Show during Paris Fashion Week in the 1990s.
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Chanel Crew
Linda Evangelista’s early modeling days.Foc Kan/WireImage
Schiffer, Lagerfeld, Turlington, Evangelista and Kristen McMenamy looked like a fashion fairytale at the Chanel Fashion Show during Paris Fashion Week in the 1990s.
05of 25Riding the Industry WaveLinda Evangelista’s early modeling days.VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho/gettyBefore long Evangelista was a runway favorite and became known as a chameleon. One season, long blonde hair. The next, short and red. Then a brown pixie. (That cut, in 1988, became known as “The Linda.")“She could transfer herself into the personality that the particular designer or couturier wanted for that season,” said Talley.
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Riding the Industry Wave
Linda Evangelista’s early modeling days.VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho/getty
Before long Evangelista was a runway favorite and became known as a chameleon. One season, long blonde hair. The next, short and red. Then a brown pixie. (That cut, in 1988, became known as “The Linda.")
“She could transfer herself into the personality that the particular designer or couturier wanted for that season,” said Talley.
06of 25Team PlayerLinda Evangelista’s early modeling days.Evangelista said she welcomed the opportunity to change up her look for different jobs. “I agree with tattoos and piercings and hair color. I love when people express themselves,” Evangelista (here in a 1991 Chanel ad with Turlington) told PEOPLE.
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Team Player
Evangelista said she welcomed the opportunity to change up her look for different jobs. “I agree with tattoos and piercings and hair color. I love when people express themselves,” Evangelista (here in a 1991 Chanel ad with Turlington) told PEOPLE.
07of 25It GirlLinda Evangelista’s early modeling days.Ron Galella /getty"She wanted it,” Talleytold PEOPLE of Evangelista’s mark on the modeling world. “She wanted it like any great actress wanted to be Katharine Hepburn or Bette Davis. She was this constant professional. She always showed up with a smile, stood for fittings. And she just, she just made the designers feel so comfortable with her about the way she would express their clothes on her body.“Here, the model stepping out in New York City in 1990.
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It Girl
Linda Evangelista’s early modeling days.Ron Galella /getty
“She wanted it,” Talleytold PEOPLE of Evangelista’s mark on the modeling world. “She wanted it like any great actress wanted to be Katharine Hepburn or Bette Davis. She was this constant professional. She always showed up with a smile, stood for fittings. And she just, she just made the designers feel so comfortable with her about the way she would express their clothes on her body.”
Here, the model stepping out in New York City in 1990.
08of 25Top ModelsLinda Evangelista’s early modeling days.GettyEvangelista with Campbell and Turlington (at a gala in 1989) infamously said in 1990, “We don’t wake up for less than $10,000 a day.” These days, she has clarified: “I was realizing my dreams. But I shouldn’t have been out there saying those silly things that may have hurt people.”
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Top Models
Linda Evangelista’s early modeling days.Getty
Evangelista with Campbell and Turlington (at a gala in 1989) infamously said in 1990, “We don’t wake up for less than $10,000 a day.” These days, she has clarified: “I was realizing my dreams. But I shouldn’t have been out there saying those silly things that may have hurt people.”
09of 25Signature StrutLinda Evangelista’s early modeling days.Michel Arnaud/gettyEvangelista modeled a bandage dress at the Azzedine Alaïa spring show in Paris in 1989.
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Signature Strut
Linda Evangelista’s early modeling days.Michel Arnaud/getty
Evangelista modeled a bandage dress at the Azzedine Alaïa spring show in Paris in 1989.
10of 25The Original Super SquadLinda Evangelista’s early modeling days.Paul Massey/ShutterstockEvangelista, Crawford, Campbell and Turlington (seen here at the iconic Versace autumn/winter Fashion Show in Milan in 1991) hit runways across the globe together, forming a special bond.Crawford and Turlington once opened up to PEOPLE about their friend and mentor. Crawford said Evangelista helped her navigate Paris shows: “She used to drive us around in her tiny red car she’d named Petunia.” Turlington remembered an Easter shoot with Evangelista: “Linda and I were raised Catholic. She advocated for us to leave to go to church; I probably wouldn’t have done that on my own.”
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The Original Super Squad
Linda Evangelista’s early modeling days.Paul Massey/Shutterstock
Evangelista, Crawford, Campbell and Turlington (seen here at the iconic Versace autumn/winter Fashion Show in Milan in 1991) hit runways across the globe together, forming a special bond.
Crawford and Turlington once opened up to PEOPLE about their friend and mentor. Crawford said Evangelista helped her navigate Paris shows: “She used to drive us around in her tiny red car she’d named Petunia.” Turlington remembered an Easter shoot with Evangelista: “Linda and I were raised Catholic. She advocated for us to leave to go to church; I probably wouldn’t have done that on my own.”
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Versace, Versace, Versace
Linda Evangelista’s early modeling days.Gamma-Rapho via Getty
In September 2017, in a flashback to the ’90s supermodel era,Crawford, Schiffer, Helena Christensen and Campbell suddenly reunited on the Versace runway. Evangelista was noticeably absent, retreating from the spotlight as she endured physical and emotional pain in the aftermath ofher 2015 cosmetic surgery nightmare.
12of 25Hair ChameleonLinda Evangelista’s early modeling days.David Turnley/gettyThe late great celebrity hairstylist Oribe Canales helped Evangelista prep for a show at the Louvre museum in Paris in the ’90s.
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Hair Chameleon
Linda Evangelista’s early modeling days.David Turnley/getty
The late great celebrity hairstylist Oribe Canales helped Evangelista prep for a show at the Louvre museum in Paris in the ’90s.
13of 25Red-y for AnythingLinda Evangelista’s early modeling days.julio donoso/gettyEvangelista’s bold (and ever-changing) hairstyles led to a $5 million contract with Clairol. Here she commanded the runway at Prada’s 1992 Milan fashion show.
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Red-y for Anything
Linda Evangelista’s early modeling days.julio donoso/getty
Evangelista’s bold (and ever-changing) hairstyles led to a $5 million contract with Clairol. Here she commanded the runway at Prada’s 1992 Milan fashion show.
14of 25The Musician and the ModelLinda Evangelista’s early modeling days.Kevin Mazur/Getty"I didn’t want to do the ‘Freedom’ video. George wore me down,” she said of collaborating with her close friendGeorge Michael, adding that walking the Versace runway as the iconic song played in 1991 was a career highlight.Here Michael and Evangelista are photographed together on his “Too Funky” video shoot circa 1992 in Paris.
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The Musician and the Model
Linda Evangelista’s early modeling days.Kevin Mazur/Getty
“I didn’t want to do the ‘Freedom’ video. George wore me down,” she said of collaborating with her close friendGeorge Michael, adding that walking the Versace runway as the iconic song played in 1991 was a career highlight.
Here Michael and Evangelista are photographed together on his “Too Funky” video shoot circa 1992 in Paris.
15of 25Music Video VixensLinda Evangelista’s early modeling days.Kevin Mazur/GettyEvangelista on set with Michael and a bevy of beauties for the “Too Funky” video shoot in Paris in 1992.
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Music Video Vixens
Evangelista on set with Michael and a bevy of beauties for the “Too Funky” video shoot in Paris in 1992.
16of 25Strike a PoseLinda Evangelista’s early modeling days.Irving Penn/Condé Nast/ShutterstockEvangelista wore an Emilio Pucci tunic with matching purse, lycra leggings and headscarf paired with Christian Lacroix earrings in a May 1990 fashion editorial forVogue.
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Strike a Pose
Linda Evangelista’s early modeling days.Irving Penn/Condé Nast/Shutterstock
Evangelista wore an Emilio Pucci tunic with matching purse, lycra leggings and headscarf paired with Christian Lacroix earrings in a May 1990 fashion editorial forVogue.
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Cover Queen
Linda Evangelista’s early modeling days.Patrick Demarchelier/Harpers Bazaar
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In Vogue
Linda Evangelista covers Vogue.Steven Klein/Condé Nast/Shutterstock
“The joy and privilege of working with her,“Vogueeditor in Chief Anna Wintour told PEOPLE, “was that Linda was as vital and collaborative as any photographer or editor to creating memorable images. It showed every time she was in front of a camera or walked the runway. Linda really does stand as one of the greatest — if not the greatest — models of all time.”
19of 25Dior DarlingLinda Evangelista’s early modeling days.Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho/GettyEvangelista and her platinum pixie commanded the catwalk during the Dior show at Paris Fashion Week in 1991.
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Dior Darling
Linda Evangelista’s early modeling days.Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho/Getty
Evangelista and her platinum pixie commanded the catwalk during the Dior show at Paris Fashion Week in 1991.
20of 25Couture DreamLinda Evangelista’s early modeling days.Getty"One of the things I admired about Linda [seen here at the Dior Haute Couture show in Paris in 1991] was her ability to transform herself,” her peer and close pal Crawford once told PEOPLE.
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Couture Dream
“One of the things I admired about Linda [seen here at the Dior Haute Couture show in Paris in 1991] was her ability to transform herself,” her peer and close pal Crawford once told PEOPLE.
21of 25New York MinuteLinda Evangelista’s early modeling days.Raoul/GettyEvangelista sported yet another hairstyle — a chic bob — for the Donna Karan show at New York Fashion Week 1993.
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New York Minute
Linda Evangelista’s early modeling days.Raoul/Getty
Evangelista sported yet another hairstyle — a chic bob — for the Donna Karan show at New York Fashion Week 1993.
22of 25Blue CrushLinda Evangelista’s early modeling days.PAT/ARNAL/Gamma-Rapho via GettyEvangelista was back on the Versace Haute-Couture runway, wearing a glittering blue sequin gown at the label’s show in 1994.
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Blue Crush
Linda Evangelista’s early modeling days.PAT/ARNAL/Gamma-Rapho via Getty
Evangelista was back on the Versace Haute-Couture runway, wearing a glittering blue sequin gown at the label’s show in 1994.
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Mugler Muse
Linda Evangelista’s early modeling days.PL Gould/IMAGES/Getty
24of 25Met Gala MomentLinda Evangelista at the Met Gala.Taylor Hill/FilmMagicOne of Evangelista’s last last public appearances was the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute Gala in 2015, the same year she began CoolSculpting treatments. She wore a red Moschino gown featuring an oversize bow to the event, the color red as an ode to the gala’s theme, “China: Through the Looking Glass.” Moschino’s Creative Director Jeremy Scott cast Evangelista in two back-to-back campaigns for the brand, the first in 2014 and a second fragrance ad in 2015.
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Met Gala Moment
Linda Evangelista at the Met Gala.Taylor Hill/FilmMagic
One of Evangelista’s last last public appearances was the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute Gala in 2015, the same year she began CoolSculpting treatments. She wore a red Moschino gown featuring an oversize bow to the event, the color red as an ode to the gala’s theme, “China: Through the Looking Glass.” Moschino’s Creative Director Jeremy Scott cast Evangelista in two back-to-back campaigns for the brand, the first in 2014 and a second fragrance ad in 2015.
25of 25Reclaiming Her Self-WorthLinda Evangelista covers PEOPLE.After the 2015 Met Gala, Evangelista largely stayed out of the spotlight, and on Sept. 23, 2021, sheexplained why in an emotional and vulnerable Instagram post.The supermodelrevealedthat she underwent a CoolSculpting fat-reduction procedure five years ago that she says left her “permanently deformed” and “unrecognizable.“One year later, she opened upexclusively to PEOPLEabout the emotional and physical anguish she endured since retreating from the spotlight.“I loved being up on the catwalk. Now I dread running into someone I know,” shetold PEOPLE.In a lawsuit filed last September, she alleged that CoolSculpting — popular, FDA-cleared “fat-freezing” procedure that’s been promoted as a noninvasive alternative to liposuction — left her “permanently deformed” and “brutally disfigured” from the rare side effect paradoxical adipose hyperplasia, which affects less than 1 percent of CoolSculpting patients. According to her suit, she had been unable to work since undergoing treatments in 2015 and 2016, and she sued CoolSculpting’s parent company, Zeltiq Aesthetics Inc., for $50 million in damages. (CoolSculpting denied liability and said Evangelista knew the risks.)“I hope I can shed myself of some of the shame and help other people who are in the same situation as me,” she told PEOPLE. “That’s my goal.”
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Reclaiming Her Self-Worth
Linda Evangelista covers PEOPLE.
After the 2015 Met Gala, Evangelista largely stayed out of the spotlight, and on Sept. 23, 2021, sheexplained why in an emotional and vulnerable Instagram post.
The supermodelrevealedthat she underwent a CoolSculpting fat-reduction procedure five years ago that she says left her “permanently deformed” and “unrecognizable.”
One year later, she opened upexclusively to PEOPLEabout the emotional and physical anguish she endured since retreating from the spotlight.
“I loved being up on the catwalk. Now I dread running into someone I know,” shetold PEOPLE.
In a lawsuit filed last September, she alleged that CoolSculpting — popular, FDA-cleared “fat-freezing” procedure that’s been promoted as a noninvasive alternative to liposuction — left her “permanently deformed” and “brutally disfigured” from the rare side effect paradoxical adipose hyperplasia, which affects less than 1 percent of CoolSculpting patients. According to her suit, she had been unable to work since undergoing treatments in 2015 and 2016, and she sued CoolSculpting’s parent company, Zeltiq Aesthetics Inc., for $50 million in damages. (CoolSculpting denied liability and said Evangelista knew the risks.)
“I hope I can shed myself of some of the shame and help other people who are in the same situation as me,” she told PEOPLE. “That’s my goal.”
source: people.com
