Linda Evangelista Is the New Face of Talbots

by Lisa Marsh (Subscribe to Lisa Marsh's posts)
Posted Jun 7th 2010 at 1:12PM

Linda Evangelista. Photo: Venturelli/WireImage.com

She's "magic behind the camera."

Linda Evangelista is the new face for the rebranded Talbots, and chief marketing officer Lori Wagner tells StyleList the model is "perfection" for both the brand and the customer.

"When Michael [Smaldone, chief creative officer] came to the company and we wrote the brand book, for us, there was nobody but her," Wagner says. "For our 40-to-45-year-old customer, when you say Linda Evangelista, there's a reaction."

The supermodel, known for her chameleonlike ability to change to fit the mood, clothes, and brand, was photographed by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott for two days last week at Jack Studios in New York City's Chelsea. She wore her naturally brown hair pulled back for the shoot.

Evangelista just turned 45, "which is very important to us," Wagner says. And with over 20 years of modeling experience, "there was no B.S., no drama. She's on time, she's on set, and was pure perfection. Every single frame had a different expression." She was even able to work while her son Augustin, who is almost four, stopped by. "He looks just like her," Wagner adds.

The pictures will hit Talbots stores with the company's first fall delivery August 15, and will appear in catalogs, outdoor ads, and September issues of fashion magazines to be finalized at press time.

In related news, read why lingerie sales are up among women in their 40s and 50s.

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Filed under: Celebrity, News, Designers & Brands, Shopping
Tags: linda evangelista, Mert Alas and Marcus Piggot, models, rebranding, talbots

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READER COMMENTS

(8)Add A Comment

nalia, 6-07-2010, 4:47PM

She is gorgeous but has tons of money to look young and fabulous. Plus she was born unusually beautiful. She did well, anyone would with her looks but the average person is not her.

This is not something the average 40 to 45 year old woman is or can relate to. It would of been cheaper for them to just hire an unknown pretty 20 year old model.

I am 48. I cannot relate to her for clothing or looks. I live in the real average world.

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Mike, 6-07-2010, 5:30PM

She looks like she's wearing a plastic mask. Plus her nose is kind of unfortunate, given that she's supposed to represent "perfection."

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KeiMaria112, 6-07-2010, 5:59PM

It's a combination of many things. Including her upbringing. Imagine if she had been raised in Satsuma, Fl.....wonder how she would look?

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Anne Decker, 6-07-2010, 7:00PM

Linda E is perfect for Talbots. She is an extra-ordinary model and Talbots caters to women of this type. Not that I'm saying that I wear Talbots. It has never excited me much. Maybe now they will make their clothes more attractive and main stream chic. Give her a break. GEEZZZ !!!!

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Katarina, 6-07-2010, 6:28PM

I find her face hard to believe. I am 45 and although I look younger than my age, I still have some sun damage and a little wrinkling. Her face is soooo smooth, but than again she is representing clothes and not skin care for Talbots...but than again she is like 6 feet 10 and I am only 5"2...so her representation still doesn't help me...:)

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CLAYTON NELSON, 6-07-2010, 6:53PM

I WONDER IF SHE "GETS OUT OF BED NOW FOR LESS THAT $10,000 A DAY..."

AT ONE TIME, SHE SWORE THAT SHE DIDN'T...

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livefree, 6-07-2010, 7:57PM

My God! I was a promised a beauty in the headline. Who is it? Can't be the ghastly woman in the photo ... she must be a designer or something

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Tiger, 7-20-2010, 5:50PM

Linda Evangelista is a lovely choice for the re-branding effort. Any model is genetically blessed and I would rather have an older model selling product to me than a 20-year old.

Why do models have to be overly scrutinized? Older celebrities are readily accepted but older models are not? I don't get it.

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