Supermodel Linda Evangelista has nothing but praise for the new crop of models, including Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid. There is no doubt that these models have reached new heights with their modeling careers and social media followings.
Before there was Gigi and Bella Hadid and Kendall Jenner, there were Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, among others. Those supermodels paved the way for today’s young contenders.
While other supermodels have slammed Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner, Evangelista has nothing but nice words to say about them. The 51-year-old model spoke to People about what advice she would give the new class of supermodels.
“They can give me advice,” she told PeopleStyle at the launch event for skincare brand Erasa XEP-30, which she’s the vice president and creative director behind. “They’re so fabulous, they’ve got the world in their hands. They’re so aware and in control – they’re just so fabulous.”
This comes as a shock after Stephanie Seymour and Rebecca Romijn slammed Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid in recent interviews. A few months back, original supermodel Seymour referred to the starlets as “b****** of the moment” in her interview with Vanity Fair .
“Supermodels are sort of the thing of the past,” she said. “They deserve their own title. [Kendall and Gigi] are beautiful girls, and I support all of them, but they need their own title.”
“B****** of the moment!” she said, after a pause, and laughed. “That would be a good title for them.”
Kendall took to her blog to fire back at the veteran model and to defend herself. Seymour later apologized for her controversial comments on Instagram, which she insists were taken out of context.
“A supermodel is a supermodel,” she wrote. “I respect and admire all these women in my industry, in particular Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner. Having been in the business over 20 years I know how hard these women work. Bravo to both Gigi and Kendall for their success!!”
Back in April, Rebecca Romijn seemed to have thrown shade at Kendall and Gigi in an interview with Entertainment Tonight when she was asked her “thoughts” on the latest generation of models.
“No one has proven yet that numbers of followers translates to revenue,” she said. “So it is frustrating. I know a lot of people – legitimate fashion people – can’t stand it. Hate it that these, you know, social media stars are now the supermodels in fashion. They are not true supermodels.”
Romijn took to Twitter to clarify shortly after the interview was published, but still found herself in a social media feud with Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum, Yolanda Hadid. Kendall and Gigi were quiet during that ordeal.
Romijn has since backtracked on her comments. She made an appearance on Bravo’s Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen on Sunday night (Nov. 21). Romijn insisted that she didn’t even mention Kendall and Gigi’s name in the interview and that her words were taken out of context, as well. However, that didn’t stop her from throwing more shade at the girls , including Gigi’s mother, Yolanda Hadid.
“I don’t even know why she got involved. I was like, ‘Oh, are we bringing our mommies in now? Should I get my mum?’ I thought that was really none of her business. I was commenting about models in social media. Fashion in general should not be followers…. It should be leading the pack; leading the way. And somehow, these names got thrown into the mix – I was never calling anyone out.”
Let us know your thoughts. Do you think Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid are part of the new crop of supermodels? Or, do you think they’re just social media stars? Sound off below in the comments section.
[Featured Image by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for Fragrance Foundation]