Dedicated to: Linda Evangelista
Steven Meisel
“One of the greatest legends of the fashion world. Viva la Evangelista!”
Kevin Aucoin
“No one models with more conviction than Linda. Her secret, I think, is that she has never been bored by modeling, and never seen it as a stepping stone to another career.”
Anna Wintour
"In fact, she’s the one who worked the hardest and cared the most and who always gave more than anyone else."
Paul Cavaco
“The hocus-pocus that happens in front of a camera is an observable and distinct phenomenon, but very hard to describe. As I watch her being photographed, it occurs to me that it’s like the beauty of math, the art of fractions. She can curl her lip in 7,000 different ways, and it’s somehow riveting. One of the biggest misconceptions about modeling is that its practitioners are required merely to show up and look pretty. In reality, a great model has opinions and style and ideas all her own, plus a desire to participate in the creative process. Evangelista, as everyone who has worked with her will tell you, has got the killer instinct.”
Jonathan Van Meter
“She’s the greatest collaborator of all time.”
Paul Cavaco
“I always take into consideration what Linda is suggesting and saying about the pictures, the clothes, the look. And as a photographer I don’t always listen to everyone.”
Stephen Meisel
“She controls every part of her body, and it all has line. Her foot. Her nostril. It’s all working while she’s working.”
Paul Cavaco
“She’s extraordinarily beautiful and extraordinarily photogenic, and she…she…sparkles in front of the camera. I don’t know how else to say it. When she smiles, it’s very inspiring for me.”
Steven Meisel
“Inspiration hasn’t been the same without her! She is an enormous influence on all phographers and stylists. For me and Domenico, Linda is the model. If you talk about models of the sixties and seventies, the first name is Veruschka. In the eighties and nineties, it’s Linda.”
Stefano Gabbana
“She’s like an instrument. She’s a kind of Stradivarius. You can play her like you can play no other instrument. She’s strong and at the same time flexible. She’s tough and very touching, and that’s the secret of her success.”
Karl Lagerfeld
“Linda probably loves modeling more than anyone I know. That’s why we all love looking at pictures of her.”
Amber Valletta
“To many, myself included, Linda Evangelista was (still is and always will remain) a revelation in the fickle worlds of fashion and modeling. But with her rare beauty, style, intelligence, professionalism, and humanity, Linda won our hearts. Everyone wanted to either know or look like Ms. Evangelista – and who wouldn’t? I first worked with Linda in the early nineties and have yet to meet another model who was more involved in every aspect of her work. Her specialties were knowing what was best for her hair, makeup, styling, and lighting – and Linda was always right. It was mind-boggling. Many of the unforgettable images of this haunting beauty were, in great degree, due to her involvement.”
Kevin Aucoin
"There is not another model as professional as she is."
Karl Lagerfeld
“Linda Evangelista is always beautiful, even when she's screaming. She'll have her mouth open, her nose crinkled up, and she looks gorgeous.”
Tyra Banks
"She is a fashion icon. She knows herself so well, it's as if she's looking at herself through the camera and moving accordingly."
Michael Thompson
"I once vainly asked her to consider coming to work for Vogue as a fashion editor, since her knowledge of style and image-making is boundless. She's also much loved by the industry. Should Linda ever decide to quit modeling for good, my offer still stands."
Anna Wintour
"Perhaps its the name Evangelista that encourages so much zealous crusading on her behalf. Fashion people, not always given to effusive, unadulterated praise, become dizzy with near-religious adoration when they try to explain the special mystery and magic of Linda."
Jonathan Van Meter
"Evangelista has an obvious love of language, and she employs certain words - in both French and English - with skill and a healthy sense of irony. At times she can be very, very funny."
Jonathan Van Meter
"To the kids in my salon, the ones that are from nineteen to 25, Linda’s the icon. It's like Oh, God, Linda Evangelista's coming in. Did you ever meet her? She's like their big movie star. She's their dream."
John Galliano
"Heaven!"
John Galliano