Christy Turlington Burns— now Christy Turlington Burns— is one of the models that many in the fashion and media industry referred to as "The Big Six." However, even though she is a big figure in the modeling industry, there was a moment in her head when she decided to part with the career. According to Citizens of Humanity, Christy Turlington quit modeling to pursue education and avoid criticism lobbed at models in full force. Turlington and her fellow gorgeous Big Six women dominated the cat walks and campaigns of the '90s and to this day, their presence is still known. However, it seems as though this gorgeous lady grew tired of the industry's darker side.
Turlington, while she has all but left the modeling industry, hasn't completely removed herself from fashion and design. Back in May, the talented lady launched a Citizen of Humanity maternity denim collection in conjunction with her Every Mother Counts philanthropic organization. The model also fronted a campaign for H&M back in November of 2013 proving that that she truly just doesn't age. Calvin Klein also apparently thinks so as well. Last April, the brand decided that if it wasn't broke, they should fix it. They relaunched Turlington's 1995 Eternity ad in celebration of the perfumes 25th birthday. Basically, there is a consensus all around that the model is still just as talented now as she was in the '90s modeling heyday.
So in terms of specifics, what exactly was it that motivated Turlington to split from the modeling industry? That seems to be a two fold answer. In her conversation with Iman for her Citizens of Humanity website, Turlington:
I thought about it for a long time, and I guess I really haven’t fully given modeling up, but in my mind I did, because I went back to school and moved on in my life. And when I went back to school, same thing. I remember somebody telling me that they were in a location van and they saw me walk by with my backpack, and they were like, 'Oh, poor thing.' And I’m thinking – 'Poor thing? I’m getting my education, you fools.' But I remember thinking about it. I think I had finally quit smoking and had gained some weight, and I was in Paris for the couture shows and I remember that moment when I thought, 'You know what, I’m doing something healthy for myself, and they’re judging me and I don’t want to subject myself to it anymore.' And it’s such an empowering feeling when you can make that choice.
I love that Turlington chose to empower herself through education and paid no mind to lose who criticized the decision. Instead, she focused on her own outlook on the decision to distance herself from the judgement often heaped on popular models. I've got to say that Turlington's explanation reminds of me of the reasons she's a great role model. Here are three reasons why.
1. She's Totally Philanthropic
Turlington's charty Every Mother Counts helps to provide safety to women during childbirth. The model is incredible passionate about maternal health.
2. She's Totally Age Positive
Turlington has been outspoken about not wanting to be part of the anti-aging industry. Instead, she views aging as natural and embraces the way the process changes her face.
3. She's Incredibly Authentic
Turlington's decision to post a no makeup selfie to raise awareness for Unicef's efforts to help children in Syria. Basically, the model is combining her charitable ways and her willingness to be vulnerable to the public,because let's be honest, any time a celeb posts a no makeup photo, they're placing themselves in front of the social media firing squad.
Images: Christy Turlington/Instagram (3); Every Mother Counts/Instagram
