Linda Evangelista takes tons of upkeep

Linda Evangelista, the Canadian supermodel from the 90s who’s best known for both her chameleon-like ability to change her look and for her rather unfortunate pronouncement to writer Michael Gross that she wouldn’t even get out of bed for “less than $10,000 a day,” is, at 41 and pregnant, featured on the cover of the August issue of Vogue. (Her 30th cover for the fashion bible – and only the second time in a year that an actual model, not some actress chick, has graced the real estate.)

In the issue, which centers around aging, the editors proclaim the “Revenge of the Supermodels” and show how, 20 years after having ruled the runways (and super hot George Michael videos), fashion’s elderstateswomen, Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, Amber Valetta, Claudia Schiffer and Christy Turlington among them, are back. Back on the runways, in couture campaigns, on covers, etc.

One of the most fascinating things featured is a Q&A with a lot of the girls, er, women, about how they intend to “fight aging.” Most, with the exception of Linda, say they’re not going to fight, but embrace.

Linda, in typical, no-holds-barred fashion, speaks out saying, “I think it’s okay to say I’m 41 and it’s work being me. It’s a lot of upkeep! I’m pro-cosmetic procedure. I use Botox and I’m not afraid to say it, though I do like to keep some movement in my face.” She goes on to list the doctors whom she employs for such injections AND to say that, she hasn’t had any done for six months because of her pregnancy.

“I do Thermage” continues the hellcat, “for me it’s just for enhancement, like hair color or makeup or any other tricks you can do to make yourself feel better.”

What about her fellow mannequins? Says yoga-addicted mother of two, Christy Turlington, “I’m not afraid of aging. I would absolutely not do Botox. It actually makes me feel happier about my face when I look at people my age which is too young who’ve had it done. It’s just not healthy, and it’s not pretty.”

And, Naomi Campbell found some time in between court appearances to talk about her BAD experience with a laser facial treatment two years ago. “I had burns on my face and neck. I couldn’t work. My face is what I work with. I was in shock.” The British beauty who’s evidently got quite the phone-pitching arm says that her skin has only returned to normal in recent months and that she’s been left once bitten, twice shy, “I can’t do dermabrasion, I’m afraid of facials. I’m not against plastic surgery but I’m afraid now. Even if I sit in a dentist’s chair, this fear comes back.”

It’ll be interesting to see whether an industry that’s historically promoted and relied on the fresh-facedness of youth, can truly have the back of these women who know their biz and have a lot more to bring to the table than this year’s selection of colty nubile high school freshmen.

One can hope.