As Cindy Crawford continues to inspire through her iconic presence, the supermodel reflects on aging, career risks, and her trailblazing impact on the fashion industry. Speaking amidst the ongoing Fashion Month, Crawford opens up about her experiences, from navigating the harsh standards of the fashion world to embracing her years with grace.

Facing Fears at 35: A Career Gamble

It’s difficult to imagine Crawford, with her signature confident gaze, feeling fear. However, as she approached her 35th birthday in 2001, she admits to being “a bit frightened.” At the time, she had spent 13 years as a Revlon ambassador, but models rarely worked past 35. “That was just the industry thinking at the time,” she says. As her contract renewal approached, tabloids labeled her “too old,” despite their relentless coverage of her life.

With two young children, including her now-famous daughter Kaia Gerber, Crawford had to decide whether to retire or take a bold step forward. “I just knew I had to take a chance on myself,” she recalls, calling it “a gamble” that paid off.

Breaking Barriers: A Master of Career Gambles

Crawford has consistently made daring moves that redefined what it meant to be a supermodel. In the 1990s, she became one of the first models to work simultaneously with luxury and mass-market brands. From starring in a famous Pepsi commercial to walking the runway for Ralph Lauren and Versace, she proved that models could bridge high fashion and pop culture. Her groundbreaking work on MTV’s House of Style transformed Paris couture into something accessible to everyday viewers.

In 1996, Crawford posed nude for Playboy while representing the prestigious Omega watch brand, further showing her ability to navigate various industries with finesse. “Today, models like Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner follow the path I helped carve,” she says.

Embracing Age Maintenance: The Birth of Meaningful Beauty

Rather than launching a typical makeup line, Crawford explored a new trend in 2001—“French-girl beauty.” Teaming up with her Parisian dermatologist, Dr. Jean-Louis Sebagh, she developed Meaningful Beauty, a skincare line designed to embrace aging gracefully. Crawford was drawn to Sebagh’s approach of “age maintenance” rather than fighting the inevitable. “You’re taking care of yourself, not fighting against the years you’ve earned,” she explains.

The line, inspired by Sebagh’s antioxidant formula, launched with an infomercial—a bold choice at the time. Now, direct-to-consumer beauty lines are commonplace, but back then, Crawford had to convince luxury department stores to support the product.

Supermodels and Pop Culture: A Lasting Legacy

Crawford’s cultural impact remains strong. The Apple TV+ docuseries The Supermodels chronicles the rise of Crawford, Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, and Christy Turlington. Reflecting on their era, Crawford notes, “We broadened the idea of beauty. Back then, the industry favored blonde, blue-eyed ‘All-American’ girls, but we were different, and that change seems crazy now.”

The docuseries was so successful that discussions for a second season are underway. If it happens, Crawford hopes to highlight how the fashion world has evolved to be more inclusive of different skin tones, sizes, nationalities, and ages.

A New Generation: The 90s Revival and Kaia Gerber

Crawford’s daughter, Kaia Gerber, has followed in her footsteps, often donning looks inspired by her mother’s iconic outfits. Recently, at the Toronto Film Festival, Kaia wore a modern re-creation of Crawford’s 1993 Hervé Léger bandage gown. “I never thought trends from the 90s would return like this,” Crawford admits.

However, she is less focused on revisiting the past than on planning for the future. These days, Crawford is taking on new challenges, including giving 45-minute speeches on issues she cares about. She also continues to model, representing brands like Donna Karan and Good American. “Honestly, I had no idea I would still even be getting my picture taken at this age,” she says, laughing off earlier claims that she was “too old” for international campaigns.

Business and Family: The Power Couple

Crawford’s business ventures extend beyond fashion. Alongside her husband, Rande Gerber, co-owner of the billion-dollar Casamigos tequila brand (founded with George Clooney), she is continually brainstorming new ideas. “We have very different brains, but we bounce ideas off each other,” she says, highlighting their strong partnership.

Conclusion: A Career Built on Courage and Innovation

Throughout her career, Cindy Crawford has been a trailblazer, defying industry norms and setting trends that continue to shape the fashion world. From her fearless decision-making to embracing the concept of “age maintenance”, Crawford has redefined beauty standards. Today, she remains a powerful figure, proving that age is not a limitation but a testament to her resilience and lasting influence. As she reflects on her legacy and contemplates the future, one thing is clear: Cindy Crawford is here to stay.