Linda Evangelista’s Triumphant Fashion Return at Fendi
It has been nearly half a decade since the fashion world has felt the presence of Linda Evangelista. Some speculated and even feared at the time that the supermodel has moved past the industry that she singlehandedly reinvented. However, little did most know what was really going on in her personal life.
But now she’s back in the world of fashion to show everyone why she’s the best of the best.
After a long hiatus in fashion and a nightmarish life experience, fashion’s ‘Queen of Reinvention’ is back, and better than ever… at Fendi!
During the mid-2010s, fashion was being dominated by new faces, but Linda Evangelista was still as present and in-demand just like in her prime in the 1990s. She had booked two high profile campaigns for the Italian house Moschino, with the Fall/Winter 2014 ad being the first. And second, the 2015 ‘Fresh Couture’ eau de toilette ad. Both were also photographed by her dear friend Steven Meisel.
Sources: Twitter
She also attended the Met Gala on May 4, 2015, with the theme ‘China Through the Looking Glass’ in New York City. The then 50-year old supermodel wore a Moschino dress reminiscent of another supermodel moment—Dovima in Dior with Elephants, by Richard Avedon from 1955.
Sources: Twitter
Though after 2015, she seemed to slowly move away from the industry. She gave interviews here and there, as well as posted her personal life and throwback moments on her Instagram account. She even acknowledged the iconic Rupaul’s Drag Race Season 9 moment of Aja and Valentina in Untucked. But still, many speculated that Evangelista might be retiring from fashion.
The Truth of her Absence
On September 23 of last year, Evangelista posted on her Instagram the reason why she has “not been working.” This was because she was “brutally disfigured” by Zeltiq’s CoolSculpting procedure. Even after undergoing two painful corrective surgeries, both were unsuccessful. Because of it, she developed Paradoxical Adipose Hyperplasia (PAH) which sent her into a “cycle of deep depression, profound sadness, and the lowest depths of self-loathing.” She filed a $50-million lawsuit against Zeltiq Aesthetics. Though little is still known about where both are with it.
Evangelista also stated that with the lawsuit, she can move forward in life and share her story to the public with her head “held high.”
The Queen’s Return… in Fendi!
During the weekend, the famed Italian fashion house Fendi announced a special fashion show. It will take place in New York City this early September. This is to celebrate the 25th anniversary of its ‘Fendi Baguette’ bag, which was made even more famous by Sarah Jessica Parker’s character, Carrie Bradshaw, in Sex and the City. The upcoming show will also commemorate two years since Kim Jones joined the house as both its Womenswear and Haute Couture Artistic Director.
Fendi Baguette Bag is established as the bag who invented the IT BAGS era and it was loved by the iconic Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and The City. In the show Fendi Baguette had remarkable moments such as the scene where Carrie gets mugged on the streets pic.twitter.com/IdqNf026rI
— gabriela (@schiaplicious) December 13, 2020
Alongside the announcement, Fendi also unveiled its ad for the upcoming show with a familiar face leading it. The woman taking center stage was the incomparable ‘La Linda’ Evangelista! After the heavy experiences, the supermodel went through these past few years, to see her rise above it all with her, in her words, “head held high” was such a triumphant fashion moment. Known as fashion’s ‘Queen of Reinvention,’ Evangelista has truly done it again.
With this Fendi campaign marking Linda’s glorious return to fashion, in print, we hope to also see her walk on the runway this September.
A fourth-year fine arts college student in the University of Santo Tomas, majoring in advertising. Nathan usually does extensive research on fashion and runway history, film, music and pop culture, with a strong eagerness to learn more.