Eve Salvail arrives relaxed in our photo studio on a December morning. When she sees Ethné Grimes-de Vienne, her past as a model suddenly comes to mind. “Ethné, you taught me how to stand on a podium… and that was more than 30 years ago, during the Clin d'œil magazine competition, and we never saw each other again!” Great! “, She says.
Published at 6:30 am.
In 1990, Eve Salvail won the photography prize in Clin d'oeil magazine's Become a Model competition and went on to launch an international career. She is known for her unique look with her dragon tattoo on her head and has appeared for the most prestigious houses such as Jean Paul Gaultier, Chanel and Versace. She has also been seen in the biggest fashion magazines around the world.
PRESS PHOTO ARCHIVE
Eve Salvail at the Jean Paul Gaultier show, women's fashion spring/summer 1993
PHOTO DAVID BOILY, LA PRESSE ARCHIVE
Eve Salvail at the Montreal Fashion and Design Festival 2008
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What an era! I was 20 years old and came from Matane! I wasn't ready for all this success and I was so alone.
Eve Salvail
PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
Ethné Grimes-de Vienne, Dominique Bertrand, Julie du Page and Eve Salvail
Today, at 52, she is happy to be working on fashion campaigns again. “There's been a lot of hype since Vogue was published, I've had calls from Paris but I don't miss her. I'm flattered that I'm still getting hired and that there are women like me who represent my age group! The population is aging, fashion is evolving, and the diversity of sizes, cultures and age groups is increasing. There are curvier women and it's about time! », says Eve Salvail, who is a DJ.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY DOMINIQUE BERTRAND.
Dominique Bertrand in the 1980s
PHOTO PROVIDED BY ETHNÉ GRIMES-DE VIENNE
Ethné Grimes-de Vienne in the 1980s
PHOTO PROVIDED BY EVE SALVAIL
Eve Salvail in the 1990s
PHOTO PROVIDED BY JULIE DU PAGE
Covergirl advertising with Julie du Page in the 1980s
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Montreal, fashion center
Dominique Bertrand, a model in the same years as Ethné Grimes-de Vienne, praises the latter: “Your appearance on the catwalk was great, you were breathtaking!” » They often worked together in the 1980s. “We were discovered by the same woman, journalist Iona Monahan from The Gazette newspaper [qui a reçu l’Ordre du Canada en 1985]. We did all the shows and catalogs, La Baie, Eaton, Simpson, Holt Renfrew and Ogilvy. We worked like crazy all the time and Montreal was truly a fashion hub! » recalls Dominique Bertrand, who became an author.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY ETHNÉ GRIMES-DE VIENNE
Dominique Bertrand and Ethné Grimes-de Vienne in a Pepsi commercial in the 1980s
“I remember you, Dominique! A goddess ! When I was 15, I remember being amazed by your beauty! I still have vivid memories of it,” says actress and presenter Julie du Page, who was a cover girl at 16. Dominique Bertrand almost blushed at the compliment.
PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
Dominique Bertrand
Beauty fascinates. It's incredible ! My years as a model still stay with me 40 years later. I have done so many other things but I am always reminded of this!
Dominique Bertrand
“You're faced with a force of nature, I had to constantly fight with photographers and clients to find and keep my place. Because back then, a young black woman, a model, with very short hair, you had to be brave! », Estimates Ethné Grimes-de Vienne, originally from Trinidad.
She remembers her first cover for a magazine in the Netherlands. “I always found it interesting that this magazine for young girls in the 1980s had no problem putting a young black woman like me on the cover… They were always at the forefront, the Dutch. » “Ethné, you were simply irresistible… with a very special personality! », answers Dominique Bertrand.
More confident than ever
During the photo shoot, which takes place in a very festive atmosphere, the discussions are lively and of course we talk about getting older. They all respond that they are more fulfilled and confident today and are aging as well as possible. “Every age has its charm and if I were not happy with my age of 65, I would say that it is more difficult to get older, but I am fulfilled,” says Dominique Bertrand. It's not easy being young these days, getting older brings all sorts of problems, but I wouldn't go back to my 20s! »
Eve Salvail knows that she no longer has the same face as before.
PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
Eve Salvail
I look at the photos and there is always some form of disappointment. Gravity has taken effect! The body changes, but I can only accept myself as I am. We all want to stay young, but it's not the way society looks at us that's harsh, it's the way we look at ourselves.
Eve Salvail
She talks about aesthetic treatments that have evolved over 30 years and that we can make small touch-ups if necessary.
“I think it's extraordinary, but I don't want to overdo it because I just want to look like a 52-year-old woman who slept well!” I had the little chicken skin hanging around my neck, it annoyed me, so I got it taken off! I find it less beautiful to see women who overdo it and end up with the same smooth face. They have the same mouth and cheeks. That's what I don't want, especially since I've always stood out, I've always been completely different. »
“I like to dress young, but I don't want to look like my 19-year-old daughter,” says Julie du Page.
PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
Julie du Page
I think it's great to age gracefully, I accept my age. Last year I texted for my 50th birthday and a lot of people warned me because they thought it was risky for an actress to reveal her age…especially at 50!
Julie du Page
“I know that as an actress you hope to be ageless so that you get offered more roles, but I'm proud to be 50, to have the looks that I have and the experience that I have . “Getting older is a challenge, but I still marvel at so many things,” says the woman who is also the face of Lancôme for Quebec. “Lancôme contacted me three years ago, I was 48 years old. The more women of different ages are represented in the media and fashion, the more it becomes accepted to grow older. »
For Dominique Bertrand, every woman knows what she needs and she does not judge those who undergo cosmetic surgery. The problem lies in the dosage, she believes. “When I see women who look plastic and have no expression on their faces, I tell myself that they have gone too far. And what scares me even more is the fact that they can find a doctor who will do this to them! I have already done Botox injections and really found a woman I could trust. It's not about looking younger, it's about looking rested! Nuance Dominique Bertrand.
I don't want to look younger than 65, I'm showing my age, I have gray hair and I'm very happy.
Dominique Bertrand
Maybe getting older is taboo? “Many women don’t want to reveal their age, not just in my circle, because we’re afraid of being pushed out by younger people and because we don’t value experience enough,” admits Julie du Page.
“Except in the world of spices!” interrupts Ethné.
PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
Ethné Grimes-de Vienne
“I work in the world of spices and it's the opposite! We want a woman who has experience, who knows what she's talking about, who has traveled all over the world and seen and tasted all the spices from different countries, that's experience! »