Linda Evangelista

Linda Evangelista
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Name	Linda Evangelista
Birth date	May 10, 1965
Birth place	St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
Height	5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Hair color	Brown
Eye color	Blue
Agency	Elite Model Management

Linda Evangelista is a renowned Canadian supermodel who rose to fame in the late 1980s and 1990s, known for her striking features and versatility in front of the camera, working with top fashion designers like Gianni Versace, Karl Lagerfeld, and John Galliano. She has appeared on the covers of numerous top fashion magazines, including Vogue, Elle, and Harper's Bazaar, and has walked the runways for prominent fashion brands such as Chanel, Dior, and Versace. Evangelista's career has been marked by collaborations with esteemed photographers like Steven Meisel, Peter Lindbergh, and Herb Ritts. Her impact on the fashion industry has been significant, inspiring a generation of models, including Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, and Christy Turlington.

Early Life and Career

Linda Evangelista was born on May 10, 1965, in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, to a family of Italian descent, and grew up in a traditional Catholic household with her parents and two siblings, Jim Evangelista and Lori Evangelista. She began modeling at the age of 12, after being discovered by a modeling agent from Elite Model Management, and soon moved to New York City to pursue a career in modeling, where she met other aspiring models like Janice Dickinson and Kim Alexis. Evangelista's early career was marked by appearances in local fashion shows and commercial modeling gigs, including working with L'Oréal and Revlon. She eventually signed with Elite Model Management, which led to her breakthrough in the fashion industry, working with top fashion designers like Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren.

Modeling Career

Evangelista's modeling career took off in the late 1980s, with appearances on the covers of top fashion magazines like Vogue, Elle, and Harper's Bazaar, and working with prominent fashion photographers like Annie Leibovitz and Mario Testino. She became one of the most sought-after models of the 1990s, known for her chameleon-like ability to transform into different characters and personas in front of the camera, inspiring other models like Gisele Bündchen and Heidi Klum. Evangelista has worked with a wide range of fashion brands, including Gucci, Prada, and Dolce & Gabbana, and has appeared in numerous fashion campaigns for luxury brands like Chanel and Louis Vuitton. Her collaborations with top fashion designers have been highly acclaimed, including her work with Alexander McQueen and Vivienne Westwood.

Personal Life

Evangelista has been in high-profile relationships with several notable figures, including Gérald Marie, the former head of Elite Model Management, and Kyle MacLachlan, an American actor known for his roles in Twin Peaks and Sex and the City. She has also been linked to other celebrities, such as Peter Morton, the co-founder of Hard Rock Cafe, and François-Henri Pinault, the CEO of Kering, the parent company of Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent. Evangelista has a son, Augustin James Evangelista, born in 2006, whose father is François-Henri Pinault, and has been involved in several high-profile child custody battles, including a highly publicized dispute with Pinault over child support.

Philanthropy and Activism

Evangelista is involved with several charitable organizations, including the American Cancer Society and the Children's Miracle Network, and has supported various fundraising campaigns for breast cancer research and children's health initiatives. She has also worked with amfAR, the Foundation for AIDS Research, and has been a long-time supporter of the Elton John AIDS Foundation, which was founded by Elton John and David Furnish. Evangelista has participated in several charity fashion shows and fundraising events, including the Met Gala, which benefits the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute, and has been recognized for her philanthropic efforts by organizations like UNICEF and the World Health Organization.

Controversies and Lawsuits

Evangelista has been involved in several high-profile controversies and lawsuits throughout her career, including a highly publicized dispute with Elite Model Management over modeling contracts and commission fees. She has also been sued by several former business associates and ex-partners, including Gérald Marie and Peter Morton, over issues related to breach of contract and defamation. Evangelista has been open about her struggles with depression and anxiety, and has spoken publicly about the pressures of the fashion industry and the impact of social media on mental health, inspiring other models like Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid to speak out about their own struggles. Despite these challenges, Evangelista remains one of the most iconic and enduring figures in the fashion industry, known for her stunning beauty, versatility, and dedication to her craft, and continues to work with top fashion brands and photographers like Inez and Vinoodh and Mert and Marcus.