VLADIMIR MCCRARY INTERVIEW BY D.DANER

“It was a long night. After hours of train staring at the russian plains we fade to the virgin forests
of Komi. This is where the new Franck Glenisson film is being shot. It’s about the come back of
Avedon’s forgotten idol for Versace. The same one who used to play the alien in Luc Besson’s
movie The Fifth Element. The name is Vladimir Mc Crary”

D.Daner : « 12 years and a half of silence…
You are about to make ayour comeback for the Paris Fashion week in early 2011. What happened
during those years?

Vladimir McCrary : « … those years i had gone to l.a. to continue acting, and raise my daughter… i
worked here and there, l.a. is a funny city… but it was good to be back in the states… i had two other
daughters and raised them as well… during the time back home, i really concentrated on myself, my
poetry and meditation… i also coach my daughter’s track team…

D.Daner : The 90s where the decade of miscegenation. You were the bright couple with Naomi
Campbell at the time. What are your memories of those years that saw the birth of some of the
greatest tops?

Vladimir McCrary : … you know the 90′s was a year that was full of growth, and experimentation…
in everything from how we viewed the world, how we viewed ourselves… music, fashion, the whole
mentality… i happen to come into fashion from the basketball court where i played professionally
in brazil and europe…. i met some people that got behind me, and with my way… was able to take
advantage, and work hard… it wasn’t easy, but when you are focused to succeed… you do so… i
never let someone tell me i can’t, or its impossible… because i believe, a person can’t deny good
work… and no matter the politics, my work got me in the door… i was honored to learn so much
from guys, and girls doing it so long… many of my friends, respected me, and pushed me along… to
become a successful black supermodel, wasn’t something i called myself… it was something that had
be given to me… after years of ups and downs… hard work, and great opportunities… these young
models don’t understand, what it is to be a supermodel, topmodel, or whatever you want to call it…
sure if you look nice, you can work, if you have a sexy body you can work… if you can walk down a
runway, you can work… after that, if you don’t know how to conduct yourself like a businessperson,
you will get lost in all the b.s. that is the fashion business… if you can’t speak up for yourself… and
if you don’t know how to say NO… and at the right time… you will get lost, used, then pushed out…
this is the business we don’t hear about… but it is just as big a part of the industry, as, lookin good… i
was always trying to better myself, and in the process, learning from people… it never ends… lol

Image –

D.Daner : One of your photos is known all around the world. It was for a campaign shot by Richard
Avedon where you appeared totally naked with only a red shoe on your sex. Could you relate such a
collaboration with this genius?

Vladimir McCrary : Richard Avedon, RIP was my friend, and i respected and cared for him and his
genius… when you have work to a level where someone like richard avedon calls you and says, he
wants to shoot you… you have done something right… i work with him a few times, and everytime,
he was more graceful and respectful than the last… the red shoe was something actually that i
thought of… yes, i was nude… and when it was my turn to shoot, he(avedon) gave me the red
bag and shoe, and said…”vladimir, i don’t know what to do with this…” i said give it to me… i’ll do
something… ” i put it up in front of my private, and the bag on my hip.. and said i’m ready… lol… and
voila… the same for the long boot, thats on my arm, in another shot… that was the respect this man
gave another professional… the chance, space to let me work… there was no hierarchy… there was
only creative karma, and mutual ONENESS… i miss him…

D.Daner : Nowadays magazines tend to push forward models who are in their 40s and sometimes
chubby women. How would you explain such a radical change?

Vladimir McCrary : Listen, models at 40… plus size models… if you can still work, and carry yourself
right… DO IT… i’m tired of seeing these skinny, boney young girls… that isn’t how society looks as
a whole… sure you are seeing this fad of skinny jeans, and androgeny… we have to stop painting
pictures of just fashion people, and look at society as a whole… we are making these kids growup
with the wrong idea of what is beautiful… and seeing a young girl’s bones, or hearing these young
models fight over who looks better is wrong… we, as the door openers to this new generation,
should be more than willing to say, its not about that other person, its about you… everyone has
their thing… everyone can make money… the ques. is… will you get caught up in the competition
thing, and lose yourself…? or will you focus on your growth, as a model, and professional… to be the
best that you can be… for you…

D.Daner : You were a great basketball player, do you still happen to play?

Vladimir McCrary : lol… unfortunately i don’t play ball like i used to… i come from a very athletic and
artistic family… so its hard not to be doing it… but i get great joy in seeing my daughters run, and be
successful in there own right… i love being around sports and sports people… that is where i got my
competitive edge and spirit… but min motivation, no mater what i’m doing… isn’t against someone
else… its how hard come i push myself… how good can i really be… not to compare, but to look in
the mirror, and say, nice… but what are you gonna do tomorrow…

D.Daner : This is quite a disturbing forest, we haven’t seen a single living soul nearby. Does the
silence of the woods helps you to relax while you are said to be both spiritual and secret but above

all to enjoy the city life?