“Thank you so much for coming; it’s always a very special day for us,” said Brady Roberts, executive director/CEO, welcoming another sell-out crowd to the eighth annual Fashion Meets Art fundraiser at the Vero Beach Museum of Art, with guest speaker Christie Brinkley.
“Your support of Fashion Meets Art serves 19,000 children and their families each year. The Education Department here at VBMA works with 47 different schools and department organizations to reach 4,000 students through tours and exhibitions,” said event chair Gregory Allen Ness-Vasko, before expounding on the museum’s many outreach and community programs funded by events such as this.
“All of these programs are free of cost and make a difference in the lives of an additional 5,000 people, our neighbors, each year. And that’s all because of your support,” he added.
Tiffany Corr, a former sports reporter and journalist, moderated a one-on-one conversation with Brinkley, best known for her 50-year modeling career, including numerous fashion magazines, iconic Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issues and as a brand ambassador for CoverGirl. More recently, Brinkley launched Bellissima, an organic prosecco and zero-sugar wine brand, and her own TWRHLL apparel line.
Much of her life story was embargoed due to the upcoming release of her memoir, “Uptown Girl.” However, she happily shared some experiences from her modeling career, which began in 1974 at age 20 while studying art in Paris, and spoke a little about her favorite beauty routines.
Brinkley spoke lovingly of her children Alexa, Jack and Taylor, commenting that she always prioritized their care, despite loving her work, and cherishes the Harper’s Bazaar cover featuring her with newborn Alexa Ray.
Now aged 71, Brinkley said she finally overcame feelings of insecurity at age 50.
“Fifty was a number that, you know, came with so much weight. And I’m like, you know what?
I’m 50, so too bad if you don’t think I look as good as in those magazines where I’m in perfect lighting, and they positioned you just so, and you know how to suck it in, and you know the right angle and all of that. After doing Sports Illustrated, I didn’t want to go to the beach, I was too shy.
And it’s so silly. But at 50 I thought, I’m 50, so who cares?”
On the topic of cooking, Brinkley said she has been a vegetarian since the age of 14, after having read about animals’ slaughter at the stockyards, and feels she has been reaping good karma ever since.
Corr read a quote of Brinkley’s that she felt was an important lesson for everyone: “My curiosity and willingness to fail became an asset because I always viewed each new venture from the perspective of having tried something. Trying is better than never having tried.”
Noting that she continues to adhere to that belief, Brinkley said “Give it a try; follow your dreams and go for it and do it and don’t worry if it doesn’t work out. You’re going to learn something from it.”
Prior to the main talk, event sponsors were treated to a fashion show of Brinkley’s TWRHLL line, which she said is designed to be chic and classic, yet casual and comfortable.
“It’s about comfort. Everything in my line is first and foremost comfortable, stylish, easy. It’s all-inclusive and it appeals to women of all ages, because a lot of it is very timeless.”
For more information, visit VBMuseum.org.
Photos by Joshua Kodis
