Linda Evangelista is coming to Dublin on Tuesday to hand over €20,000 to Dublin Aids Alliance. Melanie Morris talks to the original supermodel
When Linda Evangelista coined the famous phrase about not getting out of bed for less than $10,000, the world gasped. However, 15 years later, the words "per hour" could be added to the same sentence without anyone raising an eyebrow. Evangelista, along with Naomi Campbell and Christy Turlington, her supermodel sisters, redefined a profession and as the decades slip by, they're still flashing the smiles, drawing the crowds and churning the profits.
She's an icon of the 20th century and when teamed with Christina Aguilera, Pamela Anderson, Missy Elliot, Chloe Sevigny and Boy George - Linda Evangelista forms part of a group enlisted by MAC cosmetics to promote their charity initiative. It is a simple fundraising concept. Buy a lipstick or gloss from the Viva Glam range and MAC will donate the entire price to an array of HIV/AIDS charities worldwide. So far, sales have raised over $47 million and next Tuesday, Evangelista will present a cheque for €20,000 to Dublin Aids Alliance, from monies raised in Ireland. That's a whole lotta lipstick.
And Linda knows about lipstick. In the 18-odd years of her stellar career, she has worn enough of it. "My make-up bag is a suitcase," she laughs. "And one that I insist on carrying on to the plane lest I get separated from it." She leaves you under no illusion that "being" Linda Evangelista doesn't happen by accident. She'll tell you she has learned that dieting is not something that happens within a timeframe, and travel can knock the stuffing out of you. She's not coy about being a fan of chemical peels and says she likes the electro-stimulation facelift in Tracy Martin's New York salon.
MAC's Spice lipliner is her favourite product. "If I could get a tattoo in that colour, I would. It's the perfect shade that works beside any skin shade." A fan of small, independent cosmetics lines, Evangelista uses Laura Mercier foundation, Nars for cheek and eye colours, Stephane Marais mascara and various bits from Linda Cantello's line, she says.
"I've had such a kick with my job and have had so much fun working through all the trends - except grunge, that was very depressing. I love glamour."
Always looking for the next big label, Evangelista showed her fashion savvy a couple of seasons ago when appearing in Alber Elbaz's edgy creations for Lanvin. These days she favours another - "I think Giles Deacon is the biggest sensation ever. I'm wearing one of his dresses to Elton John's ball in London at the end of the month."
She still appears in all the key couture catwalk shows, in advertising campaigns and on major league magazine covers. But she is also spending more time in Manchester with her long-term partner, footballer Fabien Barthez.
She has put her name to several high-profile projects, such as raising millions with fellow-Canadian Brian Adams to build a clinic in their home country, but she has also been spotted away from the limelight, recently helping rookie models at a local Manchester fundraiser.
And now she's putting substance behind the air kissing that's so much a part of her world, by encouraging others to pucker up with a product that pays back.