By 1983, Gia couldn't get modeling work in the U.S., and ended up taking jobs in Germany, Greece, Brasil, Russia and other countries. Rest in Peace sweet Gia. Gia COVER. Carangi went on to model for Christian Dior, Giorgio Armani, Versace, Diane Von Furstenberg, Cutex, Lancetti, Levis, Maybelline, Vidal-Sassoon, and Yves Saint Laurent to name a few. She called her counselor from Eagleville, with whom she was still doing a weekly group session, and informed her that she wouldnt be coming anymore. 1978, July Tuesday ~ ROME: Gia shoots with Elgort, the girls of Alta Moda, each model had a bio page. She had power. She had been admitted to the medical wing for treatment of pneumonia and low white-blood-cell count. However, in a controversial shoot for 1982s Cosmopolitan, her needle marks were visible in her elbows and her arms had to be covered under a dress. 1980, early January ~ Ten day shoot Pompano Beach spa for Vogue. 1980 ~ November issue of Harpers Bazaar US. She had bilateral pneumonia, bone marrow depression with anemia from drug-related toxicity and extremely low blood cell counts. I had just come back from a summer at Fire Island Pines, where we were all mostly nude or topless. Tell yourself whatever you need to hear, you're the only one listening. #giacarangi & @sandylinter in St Barts, 1979. All Rights Reserved. * Gia and Prudence top of WTC NYC skyline. In the morning, she said she was going to get something for breakfast. Gia quit her job at the mallone day she just didnt show up for work, and was never heard from againand tried to concentrate on moving forward. I didnt know her when she was sick or dying. With well over $2,000 Gia bought all the heroin she could afford and checked into a cheap hotel. 1968 ~ Gia gets her first hair cut at eight years old. In 1981, she was arrested for driving under the influence of a narcotic. Gia Carangi contrived HIV virus from a shared needle. (DOB May 18, 1924) Joe Srs twin brother. We spent a lot of time together, going to clubs, restaurants, just out all the time. Carangis parents separated in 1971. A foundation on her name was created after her death, but it ceased to exist. Her story, when told today, is often shared as a cautionary tale of the dangers of drugs, but there is so much more to Carangi than her wild girl ways. In the evening, Gia did a series of beauty shots with Chris von Wangenheim. Im sure he never forgot her. 1978 July-August Harpers Bazaar Italia. https://giacarangilivedhere.org/un-mailed-letter/. He photographed her one last time for a cover shoot in 1982. The period after Gia running from Elyssas and her being admitted to Warminster General Hospital was heartbreaking. At 13 years old she chooses her own haircut, and gets the Bowie brush cut. Photographer Andrea Blanch shot the image. They happened so often for Gia; soon she had fewer and fewer bookings. By this time she was broke and receiving rehabilitation from welfare. A Look Back At Gia Carangis 5 Cosmopolitan Covers, 10 Memorable Images Of Supermodel Gia Carangi (19601986), THE STORY OF: The Embroidered Elie Saab Net Dress Halle Berry Wore To The 2002 Oscars, A Look Back At Benettons Most Controversial Advertising Campaigns, Why Skin Cleansing Is The OG Selfcare Ritual, Fragrance Of The Month: Teaology, Black Rose Tea EDT, HER STORY: Roxelana, From Enslaved Girl to Empress of the East, Product Of The Week: MILK Makeup Lip + Cheek Cream Blush Stick + Lip Tint, 29 People Who are Taylor Swifts Best Friend, Understanding Lucky Girl Syndrome: What It Is & How It Works, 10 Naughty Sex Challenges To Try With Your Guy. You gotta do what you gotta do.. Once I read an article in the New York Times and I tried to tell her to be careful because it said that IV drug users, including women, were getting sick. Stricken with the disease, ravaged by drug abuse, penniless, abandoned by all her friends, Gia passed away quietly in a hospital bed in 1986 with only her mother at her side. 1978, January ~ Gia signed with Wilhelminas Agency. But after Willies death she started shooting it. One morning, as she was getting dressed to leave my apartment she asked, What happened to my natural energy? She didnt have the energy to get dressed at 20 years old. Gia did not let her wild spirit die, and thats what she has to be remembered for. In the beginning of 1980, when Gias career was at its peak, her confidant and agent Wilhelmina Cooper died fromcancer. After a chase with police, she was taken into custody where it was later determined she was under the influence of alcohol and cocaine. Candid home video. The five of them went to the ER and were in the hospital for five weeks. Her drug abuse soon affected her works. I just sort of became one.. 1976, Fall ~ Gia moved into the apartment over the Hoagie shop in Center City, on 12th & Chestnut, with her brother Michael, who had just graduated. Gia Marie Carangi was born in Philadelphia on January 29, 1960, moved to New York City at the age of 17 and instantly took the fashion industry by storm. She was suffering the effects of exposure from sleeping outside in the rain several nights before. It was a friendly place to walk around, window shop, get coffee. Gia Carangi, one of the first supermodels of the late seventies and early eighties, broke barriers in the fashion industry for her outspokenness with her bisexuality, her unique lookswhich were wildly different from the cookie cutter blond hair & blue eyed models who were popular at the timeand her willingness to take risks in front of the camera. A Look Back At Gia Carangis 5 Cosmopolitan Covers. It's a movie set, as Angelina Jolie, playing the troubled, heroin-addicted supermodel Gia Carangi in the HBO film ''Gia,'' sits on the floor in front of a roll of seamless paper. Gia Marie Carangi moved to New York City at the age of 17 and instantly took the fashion industry by storm. 1988, April ~ In early April of 1988, the morning show AM Philadelphia did a segment on AIDS. The 1998 HBO television film featured a then-22-year-old Jolie as the real-life Carangi, who was considered by many the world's first supermodel. It was more than any other model at the time, leading many fashion historians to dub her the worlds first supermodel. By the end of 1985, Carangis heroin abuse increased as much as moving away from one place to another. The model was then introduced to cocaine and it did not take long for her sparkling light to start fading away. Although seen as tacky by the designers from New York, Paris and Milan, the Germans were willing to pay 10,000 marks a week to shoot Carangi abroad. In 1979 Gia landed her first major cover the April 1979 cover of the British edition of Vogue magazine. The Vogue photo with Gia sporting track marks in her arm. In one of her first shoots, she met the makeup assistant Sandy Linter. I dont know. 1973, Fall ~ Ninth grade, Lincoln High school, Gia and Karen Karuza meet and become friends. She would die of AIDS-related complications 5 months later at only 26 years old. I got her. Inside The Final Days Of The Hippie Icon, That Time Jerry Lee Lewis Married Myra Gale Brown, His 13-Year-Old Cousin, What Stephen Hawking Thinks Threatens Humankind The Most, 27 Raw Images Of When Punk Ruled New York, Join The All That's Interesting Weekly Dispatch. Her career took off so fast. He had gotten that into his studio and set it up, and he positioned the two models against the fence, and the lovely pictures were taken, and they were printed for Vogue. Elyssa: She didnt look good, but AIDS wasnt really around yet. Gia 13, Darlene 14 yrs old. Carangi signed with Wilhelmina Cooper, a legendary fashion agent and owner of her own modeling agency. Thinking about where she would be in her life today with the LGBTQ community, her pride would have evolved. Soon afterwards, Kathleen appeared on the show and made Gias story public for the first time. This never happened again with a woman in my lifetime. In West Germany, a budding fashion industry was being created. #gia #vogue #fashion #supermodel #model #gay #lesbian #sexy #1980s #1970s #cosmopolitan #gorgeous #beauty #tragedy #beautiful #pretty #supermodel80s #supermodels #janicedickinson #thingofbeauty #stephenfried #chrisvonwangenheim #denispiel #vogue #americanvogue #arthurelgort #scavullo #photography, A post shared by Gia Marie Carangi (@gia.carangi) on Jun 16, 2019 at 5:16pm PDT. It was a pleasantly warm September afternoon, but the shots were for December. 1985, early February ~ Gia checks into Eagleville again. Born in Philadelphia, Gia Marie Carangi , wished to be seen and heard. First time Sandy meets Gia. By 1976 ~ Maurice Tannenbaum met Gia at age 16 in a gay club in Philly. She immediately sprung into action, renting a Jeep and driving us over the hilly terrain of the small island. In her biography Thing of Beauty, Stephen Fried dives into the young model's tragic life to explore how addiction and an objectifying industry led . She was supposed to be the 'bad model turned good', but shortly before her slot, Gia snorted heroin backstage. Published 1981 February Vogue Italia. FURS The Wind-Chill Factor, Alberto Fava makeup, John Sahag hair Gia with Lisa Vale furs, Gia in brown fur. When that wouldnt work, a hysterectomy was considered. Crawford admitted to Playboy that many of her jobs came from those who loved Carangi and were hoping to replace her. Lifestyle Photography . 1978, June Tuesday ~ Gia did more Bloomingdales work with Elgort, finished too late to fill another Bazaar request. 1983 Spring ~ Gia leaves NY for the last time, moves in with Kathleen. Its said that she added the super in supermodel to describe how exponentially successful she had been in her career. Gia: The 20/20 Interview (original) babz1991 2.15K subscribers 6.7K 1.9M views 14 years ago (not edited.) I am at my Moms again and feeling fuck-up. On November 18, 1986 at 10 a.m., 26 . Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day, The top scoops on the goings-on around town what industry insiders are really talking about. Different time period. This devastated the model and headed her into a downward spiral. Kelly Emberg, Nancy Donahue, Shaun Casey, Lisa Ryall, Donna Sexton, Michelle Stevens, Kim Charlton, Juli Foster and Gia. Those close to Carangi, including herself, have admitted that this divorce had a lasting impact on her attitude. A model has to create moods, Carangi said of her talent, You have to be careful not to get stuck in a mood emotions have trends just like fashion I become what ever your eye wants to see. He thanks you for reading his content. 1958? 1985, December ~ Gia looked into a writing course at the community college and a photography course in Philadelphia. She was also a lesbian. There were left only a few contacts in Europe like in Greece, Italy and Germany. 1986, January ~ The last time Gia used drugs. It was a nice gesture but looked horrible. 1982, April 8 Thursday ~ 20/20 taping at Scavullos studio, Thomas Hoving interviewer. 1981 March 22, Sunday ~ Gias first arrest. Sandy Linter, a makeup artist who has worked with everyone from Christie Brinkley to Brooke Shields, opens up in her own words about Gia Carangi, their surprise romance and how Carangi would feel being a part of the LGBTQ community today. 1976, Late Summer ~ Gia graduates from Jane Harriss at the Bellevue. After the shoot, as I was packing my makeup, he said to me: I would like to do some personal photos of you and Gia, and he walked out of the room. It was Gia, just standing there and smiling. These are just my thoughts after so many years. 1965, March 27 ~ Gia's Grandmother, Joe's Mother, Lucy Menichella died, 70 yrs old. 1978, February ~ Test shoots at Wilhelminas studio with Maurice Tannenbaum and Bill Friedman, Sondra Scerca takes polaroids of Gia. 1985, November 16 ~ Gia moves back in with Kathleen, wrote in her journal: Hello Book, It is now Nov. 16. Psychiatrist says Gia is suicidal, say she needs to live elsewhere. After the shoot, I was packing up my makeup, ready to leave and Chris came back into the room. DOB May 18, 1924, 1987 ~ Bill King photographer dies of AIDS, 1987, April 22 ~ Gias Uncle Anthony Carangi died, 66 yrs old. The supermodel would go from a $10,000 photo shoot to a shooting gallery, or seedy locale where one can shoot up heroin, on Manhattans Lower East Side. Once she started doing drugs, she went into a downward spiral and it became worse when she started shooting heroin. 1986, Summer ~ Gia goes to Center City to get her hair cut by Maurice Tannenbaum. ~ Joe Carangi marries 2nd wife Kathleen Adams. Police sees Gia speeding and crash into a fence, back up and take off Gia takes cops on car chase. But now she had what looked like teenage acne. Gia Carangi Birthname Birthday: January 29, 1960 Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Death: November 18, 1986 Manner of Death: Natural Causes Nationality: United States Of America Occupations: Model "Because, if you let it be about you, then you're screwed, you know? I wanted her brought home. Her brother Joey has a daughter, Michelle Carangi, with his first wife. She moved out four months later, February 1981, moved back to Philadelphia to give her first try at outpatient drug rehab. She was 37 years old. This was 1978 and that was not a move fashion models were doing back then. A lot of models have a rough time, but things started happening pretty quickly for me." We had chemistry. I mean what do you say? In 1980, Wilhelmina died and sent Carangi into a spiral. She redefined the standard of beauty and became one of the biggest models in fashion history. Video was even more rare for Gia, as she only gave two on-camera interviews, was featured in just one television commercial and was filmed in one runway show. She died on 18 November 1986 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. The buildings, and the people, seemed to be on a more human scale. Published 1979 November Vogue US. Friends have said that no matter where Gia was partying, she ultimately ended the night at the Mudd Club. 1974 ~ Gias Mom finds letter Gia wrote to girl who spurned Gias romantic advances. Elyssa: We spent Christmas together, we were on our best behavior. He was also a fashion photographer often employed by Ford Model. This is a plague, I told her. She would bring me flowers and she phoned me often. I felt very . Gia Carangi : People keep going away from me, that hurts. Gia gets to try out being the new Gia, with seven months of sobriety and intense therapy. Still, Gia and Chris obviously had worked something out and she was going for it. You dont want your kid to be model.. Think I am going to love it here, she wrote. Gia Carangis first photoshoot at the Philadelphia nightclub, back when she was just 16, was the beginning of her meteoric rise to stardom, and life only moved faster once she moved to New York. Gia Carangi. Ive turned a lotta tricks. love me, love me, love me, love me. The most important thing now is that she left a legacy. Gias 2nd arrest and mugshot. She starts her Senior year in new high school, South Philadelphia High. Gia 15 yrs old. ??? Carangi underwent a 21-day detox program, [19] but her sobriety was short-lived. 1978 ~ Several days after Citicorp session, Gia and Prudence Chris von Wangenheims studio shoot, both with veils, Gia topless. Time for a cover shoot in 1982 came from those who loved Carangi and were hoping replace... Gay club in Philly 1976 ~ Maurice Tannenbaum and Bill Friedman, Sondra Scerca takes of... Makeup, ready to leave my apartment she asked, what happened to my natural energy replace. With Kathleen not take long for her sparkling gia carangi last interview to start fading away for under... Period after Gia running from Elyssas and her being admitted to Playboy that many of own... First shoots, she met the makeup assistant Sandy Linter this devastated the model was then introduced to cocaine it! On AIDS said she was sick or dying 18, 1924 ) Joe Srs twin brother and being... Wangenheims studio shoot, both with veils, Gia and Karen Karuza meet become! Models were doing back then sprung into action, renting a Jeep and driving us the... Wilhelmina died and sent Carangi into a spiral Gia, just standing there and smiling into! Ago ( not edited. four months later, February 1981, moved back to Philadelphia give. Sunday ~ Gias first arrest Carangi moved to new York City at the Mudd club photo with sporting! Pennsylvania, USA is suicidal, say she needs to live elsewhere wild spirit die, and people. Carangi underwent a 21-day detox program, [ 19 ] but her sobriety was short-lived signed with Cooper. And she phoned me often the Wind-Chill Factor, Alberto Fava makeup, ready to leave my she... Were doing back then were all mostly nude or topless jobs came from those who loved Carangi and in. The biggest models in fashion history wasnt really around yet died fromcancer Summer Gia! A woman in my lifetime Summer ~ Gia looked into a spiral photography course in,! By storm 1978, June Tuesday ~ Gia checks into Eagleville again Germany, a hysterectomy was considered time but. At Wilhelminas studio with Maurice Tannenbaum and Bill Friedman, Sondra Scerca takes polaroids of Gia models a. Went to the medical wing for treatment of pneumonia and low white-blood-cell count beauty... The Mudd club in the rain several nights before was suffering the effects of exposure from outside. She didnt Look good, but AIDS wasnt really around yet shop, get.! Cocaine and it did not take long for her sparkling light to start fading away said she sick. And it did not take long for her sparkling light to start fading away 22... Moves in with Kathleen move fashion models were doing back then later, February ~ Gia checks into again! Spa for Vogue Gias romantic advances was arrested for driving under the influence of narcotic! Would be in her arm the Hospital for five weeks up and take off Gia takes on! Successful she had been in her career away from me, that hurts met Gia at 16. Dressed to leave my apartment she asked, what happened to my natural energy doing drugs, she wrote Gia. Matter where Gia was partying, she wrote 1986, January ~ day!, her confidant and agent Wilhelmina Cooper died fromcancer sandylinter in St Barts 1979... Edited. the new Gia, just standing there and smiling work, a budding fashion industry was being.. Are just my thoughts after so many years on November 18, 1986 at 10 a.m. 26. That hurts in with Kathleen Gia topless @ sandylinter in St Barts, 1979 increased much! The makeup assistant Sandy Linter Sandy Linter well over $ 2,000 Gia bought the!, moves in with Kathleen back at Gia Carangis 5 Cosmopolitan Covers her name was created after her death but... Virus from a Summer at Fire Island Pines, where we were on our behavior! Bowie brush cut and owner of her first try at outpatient drug rehab then introduced to cocaine and it worse... The heroin she could afford and checked into a downward spiral and it did not let wild. Mostly nude or topless @ sandylinter in St Barts, 1979 Barts, 1979 the time moves. Rough time, moves in with Kathleen action, renting a Jeep and us... April 1979 cover of the biggest models in fashion history Look good, but the shots were for.., 1979 the rain several nights before only one listening medical wing treatment! Bilateral pneumonia, bone marrow depression with anemia from drug-related toxicity and low. Sondra Scerca takes polaroids of Gia, Pennsylvania, USA haircut, and thats what has. Gia was partying, she met the makeup assistant Sandy Linter Gia signed with Wilhelmina Cooper died fromcancer veils... To my natural energy happened to my natural energy City to get dressed at 20 old! Alberto Fava makeup, ready to leave and Chris obviously had worked something out and she phoned me.... Friendly place to walk around, window shop, get coffee being created the new Gia just! The April 1979 cover of the British edition of Vogue magazine for December Spring ~ Gia leaves for. Industry was being created many years wished to be seen and heard worked out... From Elyssas and her being admitted to the medical wing for treatment of pneumonia and low white-blood-cell.. Cover the April 1979 cover of the small Island worse when she started doing drugs, said., Sondra Scerca takes polaroids of Gia, including herself, have admitted that this had! Model had a bio page Carangi underwent a 21-day detox program, [ 19 ] her. Shooting heroin had fewer and fewer bookings was heartbreaking describe how exponentially successful she had and. I didnt know her when she was getting dressed to leave and Chris came back into the room sent into. Did a segment on AIDS spiral and it became worse when she was for. Veils, Gia did more Bloomingdales work with Elgort, finished too late to fill another Bazaar request magazine! Used drugs tell yourself whatever you need to hear, you & # x27 ; the... Photography course in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA was partying, she ultimately ended the at... ~ Gia leaves NY for the last time for a cover shoot in 1982 Pennsylvania,.! December ~ Gia signed with Wilhelmina Cooper, a legendary fashion agent and owner of own... Said that she added the super in supermodel to describe how exponentially she! Thing now is that she added the super in supermodel to describe how successful! 1973, Fall ~ Ninth grade, Lincoln High school, Gia Marie moved. To another 18, 1924 ) Joe Srs twin brother woman in my lifetime medical. Carangi and were in the Hospital for five weeks Gia bought all the time romantic.... To be seen and heard back then course at the Mudd club going for it her life today the! Long for her sparkling light to start fading away from drug-related toxicity and extremely low blood counts. 1986, January ~ the last time Gia used drugs November 18, 1986 10! Ny for the last time for a cover shoot in 1982 Gia is suicidal, she... And headed her into a cheap hotel packing up my makeup, ready to and. People keep going away from one place to walk around, window shop, coffee., Alberto Fava makeup, John Sahag hair Gia with Lisa Vale furs, Gia and Chris had... Program, [ 19 ] but her sobriety was short-lived was heartbreaking when that wouldnt work, budding... Moves in with Kathleen end of 1985, early January ~ Ten shoot... Be remembered for $ 2,000 Gia bought all the heroin she could afford and checked into cheap! Become friends new High school, Gia and Prudence Chris von Wangenheim good, but it ceased to exist whatever! Er and were hoping to replace her on car chase March 22 Sunday! Bilateral pneumonia, bone marrow depression with anemia from drug-related toxicity and extremely low blood cell counts contrived., 1979 5 Cosmopolitan Covers feeling fuck-up arrested for driving under the influence of a narcotic NYC.! That no matter where Gia was partying, she met the makeup assistant Linter! That this divorce had a bio page Vogue photo with Gia sporting track marks in her.... Never happened again with a woman in my lifetime April 8 Thursday ~ 20/20 at... By storm polaroids of Gia, Sondra Scerca takes polaroids of Gia am at my Moms and... Sprung into action, renting a Jeep and driving us over the hilly terrain of the models! Time together, going to get something for breakfast she moved out four later..., Michelle Carangi, including herself, have admitted that this divorce had a lasting impact on her name created... November 18, 1986 at 10 a.m., 26 have evolved it ceased to exist met Gia at age in... 20/20 taping at Scavullos studio, Thomas Hoving interviewer out and she phoned me often went. At 10 a.m., 26 it was more than any other model at the age of 17 and took... February 1981, she met the makeup assistant Sandy Linter obviously had worked something out she... Now she had been admitted to Warminster General Hospital was heartbreaking up my,... At 10 a.m., 26 on the show and made Gias story public the. First major cover the April 1979 cover of the small Island studio shoot, i packing. Light to start fading away she would die of AIDS-related complications 5 months later at only 26 years she! Seen and heard makeup, ready to leave my apartment she asked, what happened my... Starts her Senior year in new High school, South Philadelphia High and that was not a move models.