It’s been a hell of a year. As reflected by the activity on my site, it’s blatantly evident that I have very little time on my hands to celebrate the most deserving women who have kept and will continue to keep my delight, appreciation, respect and desire for true beauty (certainly not external only, but it definitely makes it so much more pleasurable), unwavering talent, abounding intelligence, well earned and deserved respect and ability to overcome and persevere despite all odds totally gratified.
I had to undertake 4 major projects this year that has, in no uncertain terms, left me drained mentally, physically and emotionally. One of which, is still in progress and will continue into the New Year. Thankfully though, not before I’ve taken a much earned and needed vacation. The challenges were many, however I prevailed.
Hey, enough about me! This is so not about me! This is totally about Cynthia Ann "Cindy" Crawford. Pffft, where to begin when you want to celebrate a woman of such insurmountable beauty, brawn and brains? This is no easy feat at all. There is no summing up Cindy Crawford. One can only hope to capture every essence of her being with the concrete knowledge that at the end of it all there are so many countless pages yet to be added to such a multi-faceted goddess.
Crawford is former supermodel, actress, entrepreneur, humanitarian and a woman who I consider to be extremely astute and savvy. She’s a wife and mother. She’s easily one of the most recognized faces in the world. Believe me when I tell you that I am not one to be readily taken in by supermodels. Don’t get me wrong, I am not prejudiced against them one bit, I am just the type to be a bit hesitant when it comes to a profession that is so heavily dependent on outward beauty.
This fact should further solidify and validate my regard for Crawford by choosing her as one of my elite celebrants. I admire her sense of dedication, her work ethic, the fact that she has never strayed from being and staying securely grounded in being the very best woman that she can be. She’s never lost sight, in my humble opinion, of what’s important.
Based on what I know of her, she’s always treated her career as such; a job, a profession, an important part of the layers of her life without leaving any other area behind. Crawford is married to Rande Gerber and they are the proud parents of Presley Walker (born July 2, 1999) and Kaia Jordan (born September 3, 2001).
She attended Dekalb High School, Illinois and was discovered at age 16 by a local newspaper photographer who took a picture of her while she was working at a summer job of detasseling (removing the pollen-producing tassel from) corn. This photogragh produced a lot of positive feedbak and reactions. At age 17 she entered the Elite Model Management’s Look of the Year Competition and was the runner-up.
In 1984 she graduated as valedictorian of her class and went on to earn an academic scholarship to attend Northwest University to major in the study of chemical engineering. As a result of a host of positive feedback to her stint in the modeling competition, she only attended university for one quarter. She dropped out to become a full fledged model.
She started her career working with Victor Skrebneski, a well-known local photographer in Chicago but it took root after moving to Manhattan and signing with Elite New York modeling agency in 1986. She reached the peak of her career in the 1980s and 90s. It seems there was no magazine cover that she didn’t appear on, no runway that she didn’t rip and no designer or fashion house that didn't sort after her. She was everywhere – television, videos… you name it, she did it because by then she had attained supermodel status.
I won’t even get started on the 'most beautiful lists'. She’s definitely no stranger on the most influential, most beautiful, most powerful, most sexy, hottest, etc, etc lists. Even as I’m preparing this post, there's no doubt that someone somewhere is making a case to have her included on an upcoming hot list. Her beauty and sex appeal show no signs of diminishing so it would not come as a suprise; write it off to genuine beauty that radiates from the inside out.
She has worked live and print campaigns (appearing on the cover of over 1,000 magazines) for the likes of Vogue, Elle, W, Harper’s Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, Allure, Chanel, Ralph Lauren, Dolce & Gabana, Calvin Klein, Versace, Escada, Clairol, Revlon, Maybelline and Playboy; just to name a few.
Crawford has made personal exercise videos, written a make-up book – Meaningful Beauty, has her own line of skincare products, home collection (rugs, furniture, accessories, etc) and collaborated with JCPenny to launch Cindy Crawford Style. The line includes bedding, bath, furnishings and windows. The line became the most successful launch of any brand at JCPenny in 2009 despite the harsh economic downturn.
Crawford lost a brother when she was somewhere around 9 or 10 years old to leukemia. In this regard she is an avid supporter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (an organization which fights for the cure of blood cancers).
She also supports the University of Wisconsin Foundation, Little Star Foundation, she is an honorary board member of the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation and in 2007, she became an official supporter of the Ronald McDonald House Charities and is a member of their celebrity board, called the Friends of RMHC. Crawford is also a member of the Honorary Committee of the California Wildlife Center.
Although she retired from modeling in 2000 she continues to make occasional appearances on the covers of fashion magazines and from time to acquires contracts for photo shoots. She also currently provides endorsements on a number of varied projects.
I do not endorse plastic surgery, a procedure that Crawford has openly admitted to utilizing, however, this does not reduce my admiration and respect for this amazing woman. I admire her honesty; I applaud her strength; I revere her intelligence; I savor her beauty and sexiness; I extol her integrity and I totally adore her charm and charisma.
What do I like most about Cindy Crawford? It has to be her subtle sexiness coupled with her cool self-confidence added to her aura of self-awareness and there’s so much allure in a great level of intelligence. Cindy Crawford knows who she is, what she wants, where she stands, where she wants to go next and at the same time she’s absolutely comfortable and secure in where she is right now. How can you not be thoroughly captivated by her? I know I find her utterly irresistible.
Michael Kors had this to say about Cindy and I fully support him in his deduction, “Cindy changed the perception of the ‘sexy American girl’ from classic blue eyed blonde to a more sultry brunette with brains, charm, and professionalism to spare.”
Not to take anything away from Crawford but I must take this opportunity to wish each and everyone who have supported Slym Pickings and keeps doing so. It’s my little nook in the world wide blogosphere where I come to express what little thoughts and ideas I have as my way to get away from the madness that sometimes consumes my life.
It’s my little escape and it’s heart-warming to know that there are others who appreciate what I do. So a heart-felt thank you to one and all. I wish each and everyone a most joyous and blessed Holiday Season. My utmost hope is that 2011 will bring you prosperity, success and the very best of health so that you can enjoy your accomplishments (and may those accomplishments be many). HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND ALL THE VERY BEST FOR THE COMING NEW YEAR!!!
