When Pepsi aired its 1992 Super Bowl commercial, Cindy Crawford and her cutoffs rang in a new era of denim-centric Americana. Now Crawford, 51, has launched a three-piece capsule with Re/Done, which reworks vintage Levi’s with contemporary cuts. Aptly titled The Crawford, the collection features an ironically airbrushed hoodie (1), vintage T-shirts, and a straight-leg jean, and is available at Colette, Barneys New York, Ron Herman Japan, and shopredone.com. “It’s a throwback,” she says, “but a modern interpretation.” Here, the people, places, and pieces she holds close:
ELLE: Your greatest skill?
Cindy Crawford:Being organized.
Greatest shortcoming?
Impatience.
Where are you right now, and where do you wish you were?
I’m at our lake house in Canada, exactly where I want to be.
Whom do you talk with every day?
My husband and kids.
Do you let people borrow your clothes?
Two years ago, a friend of mine was nominated for an Academy Award for her documentary, and I let her borrow a dress. I have gowns that I’ve only worn once, like a beautiful Versace. I’m happy that they get to be worn again.
Are any pieces off-limits?
Certain jewelry is just sentimental to me. I’d hate to put someone else in the position of borrowing it and losing it. I would be devastated.
Favorite denim moment?
My Pepsi commercial (2). Those were my jeans that I wore [to set], and as we were figuring out wardrobe, they were like, “Do you mind if we just cut your jeans off?”
What clothing do you buy over and over?
A white T-shirt that isn’t too thin, isn’t too tight, isn’t too long, and isn’t too short. [She likes ones by Re/Done and Monrow.]
Most treasured accessory?
A diamond dog-tag necklace my husband gave me for Christmas 10 years ago. On one side, it’s all diamonds, but on the back, there are little pictures of my kids engraved. That’s the side I wear close to my heart.
Latest beauty discovery?
Dior lip scrub (7).
All-time favorite beauty product?
My Meaningful Beauty Environmental Protecting Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Sunscreen (3; $65, ulta.com). It’s a two-in-one: The SPF, and it’s also a great primer for under makeup.
You studied chemical engineering at Northwestern. Why science?
I’m good in science and math, so I was offered a scholarship if I went into engineering. [My daughter] Kaia’s really good at chemistry, too. It’s fun seeing how her brain works similarly to mine.
How did you encourage your kids’ love of science?
I let them figure stuff out on their own, like letting [my son] Presley take apart a radio or remote control.
Most recent splurge?
gjAn alligator backpack (6) from The Row. It’s the chicest thing ever.
The best gift you’ve received?
When I was dating my husband, I told him once that I’d always wanted a piano—when I was a kid, we could never afford one. He managed to have one sneaked into the house, and our friend, who’s a musician, was playing. That’s what I woke up to on Christmas morning.
Favorite piece of technology?
My Fitbit (4).
Your signature scent?
There’s a woman named Azzi Glasser, and she does bespoke fragrances. That’s all I wear now.
Best book you’ve read recently?
Trevor Noah’s Born a Crime (5). I suggest listening to it, because he has the best voice, and he’s really funny.
What modeling advice have you given to Kaia and Presley?
Be on time, be prepared, and stay off your phone.
This article originally appears in the October 2017 issue of ELLE.
