Supermodel Cindy Crawford knows what it takes to be successful in the fashion industry. But she also knows things have changed since she got her start in the ’80s. And Crawford reveals that she’s worried about her 14-year-old daughter, Kaia, entering the competitive modeling world.
Courtesy Chad Pitman
“Today, models are expected to be so tiny and I worry about that for her, because that was never my natural body type and I don’t think it’ll be hers either,” Crawford tells the new issue of Net-a-Porter’s The Edit. “Still, I’ll say to her, ‘Enjoy carbs while you can!’ Kaia’s blossoming into such a beautiful young woman and I really want to let her shine. I don’t want her to feel in competition with me, although I’ll tease her, and say, ‘You have my old hair — give it back!’ Or, ‘Give me back my legs!’ But she’ll be fine… She’s much more together and worldly than I was at her age.”
Crawford covers the latest issue of The Edit shot by Chad Pitman, wearing a plunging lace Balmain jumpsuit. She also stuns in a variety of high-fashion looks from Dion Lee, Emilio Pucci, Sonia Rykiel and more.
Courtesy Chad Pitman
In the candid interview, the star explains how being a model in 2015 is a way harder job, that requires more skills than when she was growing up in the industry.
“They had better learn to sing and act, too, because it’s not really enough to just be a model anymore,” she shares. “Anna Wintour was the one who started the trend of putting celebrities on covers and in the big campaigns. Then everyone followed suit, so now they want stars like Kendall Jenner and Taylor Swift. They want people with a following, and social media has helped because models like Cara [Delevingne], Coco[Rocha] and Gigi [Hadid] can have their own voices and talk to fans directly. There are more pathways available to them than we had.”
Courtesy Chad Pitman
The mom of two turns 50 in February, and she says that as she gets older she feels more comfortable in her skin. And she’s proud of the brand she created.
“I started to see myself the way the world saw me. And, fortunately, that brand lined up with the person I really am — it’s not like I’m secretly smashing up hotel rooms,” she quips.
But she still isn’t immune to some of the cyber-bullying that goes on, like the emotional after-effects she felt after an altered image that showed her with cellulite on her stomach went viral.
“Now, if I’m on a beach in a bikini where there might be paparazzi, I’d definitely put a coverup on,” she says. “There are good and bad angles and I don’t want to subject myself to that. It’s hurtful.”
One imperfection she’ll never hide. The famous mole on her face.
“If I ever had it removed, I wouldn’t feel like me anymore,” Crawford shares. “My fans worry about it a lot, you know — to the point where I’m wondering whether The Mole should have its own Twitter account and Instagram page, just like Harry Styles’ ponytail.”
Do you think there is a lot of pressure for young women in the modeling world? Should Kaia follow her mom’s path? Sound off below.
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–Brittany Talarico
