Looking Back at Supermodels Through the Decades
From Kate Moss to Bella Hadid, here's a rundown of major supermodels in each decade of fashion.
Supermodels are the most enamoring women in the world. Naturally gorgeous, they seem to have everything they could ever want and they live the life most of us dream of. When we hear "supermodels," we think of renowned names like Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, or Gisele Bündchen, but these otherworldly women first came into premonition in the 1930s. Lisa Fonssagrives is considered one of the most beautiful women in history and is widely believed to be the first supermodel. The Sweden-born model was first photographed in 1936, and she quickly became extremely sought-after. Since then, the world has been obsessed with models.
But there’s also been many new talents that managed to secure themselves a supermodel status. From young icons like Bella Hadid and Kaia Gerber to lesser-known names like Paloma Elsesser and Vittoria Ceretti, some of the most beautiful women in fashion’s history are part of the current generation of models. L'OFFICIEL is taking a look back at the most gorgeous supermodels from the 1930s until now.
1930s - 1950s
Lisa Fonssagrives has been long regarded as the first supermodel. The Swedish model was born in 1911. Before she spent her time in front of the camera, Fonssagrives was a dancer and sculptor. When she became a model, she was frequently photographed by Irving Penn, who she eventually married. Lisa Fonssagrives' glamour set the way for future models.
Dovima was in 1949 and quickly became one of the highest-paid models of the 1950s. Photographer Richard Avedon said that Dovima was "the most remarkable and unconventional beauty of her time."
Suzy Parker was an American girl. Throughout the 1950s, Parker frequented many magazine covers, television shows, and movies. She quickly became the face of Revlon. Her beauty was so potent that The Beatles named a song after her.
1960s
We can't think of the 1960s without thinking of Twiggy. The fresh-faced young model hallmarked a newer modern take on beauty standards. Her short haircut, spider lashes, and girlish body defined Mod fashion. She quickly retired in 1970, but Twiggy continues to be revolutionary to this day, considered one of the most beautiful women in history.
1970s
Beverly Johnson was one of the most important supermodels of the 1970s. After deciding to take up modeling while in college, she has now been on the cover of over 500 magazines. In addition to her time on the runway, Johnson has starred in some television episodes and written books.
"I did the first nude in Vogue," Marisa Berenson famously proclaimed. While her career began in the '60s, she became a supermodel in the 1970s. Yves Saint Laurent stated that Berenson was "the girl of the Seventies."
Despite facing violent racism during her early career, including being rejected by Ford Models based on her skin color, Pat Cleveland will go down in history as one of the greatest models ever. She is best known for her participation in the historic Battle of Versailles Fashion Show which pitted five French designers against five American designers in an all-out fashion royale. Now, Cleveland has passed on the modeling gene to her daughter, Anna.
1980s
The '80s heralded a new type of supermodel. Though in years past, models were feminine and glamorous, this was the decade that brought the athletic supermodel into the light. Cindy Crawford is the exact embodiment of this ideal. One of the most beautiful women in fashion history and iconic in her own right, Crawford walked in hundreds of shows and appeared on hundreds of covers.
Karen Alexander was discovered when she was 16 years old. The supermodel appeared on several covers such as Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, and Elle. She reached the peak of her career when she appeared on the 1988 and 1989 covers of Sports Illustrated. She has also been very candid about the racism she experienced while working in the fashion industry.
Another classic 1980s supermodel, Linda Evangelista fit the standard for the time. The Canadian model has been featured on over 700 covers. Her famous haircut, nicknamed "The Linda," helped the model gain recognition amongst other models of the time. Now, she is regarded as being one of the most influential and important supermodels of all time.
1990s
Naomi Campbell was the It girl of the '90s. She debuted her career when she was only 15 years old, and quickly became one of the most sought-after models. Formally declared a true "supermodel" by the fashion industry, Campell is considered one of the best to ever walk the runway. She also released an R&B album titled Baby Woman in 1994. Still today, Campbell is active in the fashion world.
You can't hear "'90s supermodel" without picturing Kate Moss. She was discovered at JFK Airport in New York City at the age of 14. She found fame with the "Obsession" Calvin Klein campaign, and soon after, every designer wanted her on their runway. Moss was highly criticized for her "waifish" thin and small appearance that many credit as the beginning of the "heroin chic" aesthetic. Throughout the 2000s, the supermodel was under scrutiny by the press for her partying and her alleged promotion of anorexia.
Along with Campbell and Moss, Christy Turlington was a part of this trifecta of 1990s supermodels. Turlington's perfect bone structure accompanied her successful career with ease. Now, Turlington is very active with humanitarian endeavors, such as "No Woman, No Cry" and "Every Mother Counts."
2000s
Gisele Bündchen is the only supermodel who has attained the title of "ubermodel." The Brazilian-born model famously struggled at the beginning of her career. She was told several times that her eyes were too small and her nose was too big for modeling. However, she completely proved those voices wrong and secured herself a spot alongside the most beautiful women in the industry. She ended the controversial "heroine-chic" era that Kate Moss began; Bündchen, instead, ushered in the time of the Brazilian beauties. She and her ex-husband, Tom Brady's, divorce has been the center of attention recently.
The Russian beauty Sasha Pivovarova, the star of our September 2024 cover, was attending university in 2005 when her photographer boyfriend-turned-husband, sent her photo to IMG models. Within the year, she opened the Prada F/W 2005 show and caught the attention of Steven Meisel shooting her for the Vogue Italia December 2005 cover. Since then, Pivovarova has had a longstanding relationship with Prada having been woven into the brand's DNA for 19 different campaigns. The doll-face look of the early dominating campaigns and catwalks in the early 2000s would not be complete without Pivovarova's pircing wide-eyes capturing anyone in fashion who has met her gaze since.
Alien-faced beauty Gemma Ward was notable throughout the 2000s. She became the youngest model on the cover of Vogue. Her fragile, interesting look was common throughout the 2000s fashion scene, but Ward dealt with pushback from the industry and was later weight-shamed.
Another Brazilian beauty, the 2000s fashion scene was obsessed with these bronze beauties. Adriana Lima began her career at age 15 when she won the "Supermodel of Brazil" prize. One of the most beautiful women in the fashion industry, she is most recognized for her involvement with the lingerie brand Victoria's Secret as the longest-running Angel from 1998 until 2018.
2010s
Joan Smalls was born in Puerto Rico and signed with Elite Model Management in 2007. In 2009, Smalls was chosen as "Model of the Year." She has appeared on several covers and is believed to have brought back the "supermodel," according to Elle.
Though she is also known for her friendship with Taylor Swift, Karlie Kloss was an important model throughout the 2010s. Like many other supermodels, American-born Kloss was discovered at the young age of 14. She was a Victoria's Secret Angel and the face of many brands such as Swarovski and Jean Paul Gaultier, and considered one of the most beautiful women in her generation. Kloss is also very active in her organization, "Kode with Klossy," which promotes coding for girls aged 13-18.
Daughter of Kris and Caitlyn Jenner, Kendall Jenner is one of the most prominently known "nepotism models." Though she began her modeling career in 2009, Jenner was on the reality television show Keeping Up With The Kardashians since she was 11 years old. She has walked in several runway shows and was named the highest-paid model in 2017.
Gigi Hadid, daughter of Yolanda Hadid, began modeling when she was only two years old. The model's career really began in 2013 when she walked in New York Fashion Week for the first time. Hadid has continued to be a recognizable and important face in the fashion world.
Bella Hadid is our generation's supermodel. Though she has modeled for several years, in the early stages of her career, she was considered less recognizable than her sister, Gigi. However, since 2021, Bella Hadid has become the face of the fashion industry. During Coperni's Spring/Summer 2023 show, a white, off-the-shoulder dress was iconically sprayed onto the model using three-dimensional technology. Hadid continues to be considered one of the most beautiful women alive and is the current muse for many designers.
2020s
Daughter of '80s supermodel and one of the most beautiful women of all time, Cindy Crawford, Kaia Gerber made her runway debut in 2017 during the Calvin Klein show. Her mom's look-a-like, Gerber often worked with Chanel's Karl Lagerfeld. In 2018, they created their Karl x Kaia collection. Now, the new model can be seen found walking the runways from New York to Paris.
Whether she's striding down the Schiaparelli catwalk with the faux head of a lion on her shoulder or shooting campaigns going on some of the biggest billboards in NYC and LA, Irina Shayk has proven a prominent face of the 2020s. So much so that she was included in the Models.com list of the "New Supers" in 2022. Growing up in smalltown Russia, Shayk was discovered in the early 2000s by a local model scout in a beauty contest, though her career took off with her 2011 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover. Since then, she has remained a lasting force in the industry continuing to grace catwalks in Paris, Milian and New York to this day. She famously coupled up with actor, Bradley Cooper, the two sharing a daughter, before splitting in 2019.
Nominated for the 2024 Model of the Year, Liu Wen can do it all. The supermodel has been a trailblazer for East Asian models throughout the 2000s and continues to excite. Born in China, Wen was the first East Asian model to walk in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in 2009 and has since remained one of the highest-paid models in fashion. She is part of an elite group of Asian models around the world landing major campaigns, that not only showcase immense talent, but continue to highlight the importance of representation within the industry.
One of the industry's most well-known curve models, Precious Lee has provided a new blueprint to the standard of becoming a supermodel. Her breakout moment was when she became the first plus-size model to walk for Versace at the Spring/Summer 2021 show. Since then, the new model has continued to make a name for herself in the high fashion world, modeling for Thom Browne, Michael Kors, Fendi, and Balmain, and becoming a regular attendee at the Met Gala.
Starting her career through a modeling competition held in her home country in 2012, Vittoria Ceretti quickly became the embodyment of Italian beauty. By 2017, the new model had already walked the most prestigious runways in the world. Having walked for Alexander McQueen, Valentino, Fendi, Versace, and many more, Vittoria is considered one of the most beautiful women in today's fashion scene. Current ambassador of Chanel Beauty, the Italian model was also chosen as the face of fragrances from timeless brands like Tiffany & Co. and Proenza Schouler.
Known for being a muse to brands like Chanel, Versace, and Jacquemus, Mica Argañaraz has not only secured her status as a supermodel but has also emerged as one of the most stylish It girls in today's fashion scene. From starring in campaigns alongside Gigi Hadid and Taylor Hill to being presented as the Chanel Bride during the brand's 2016 Haute Couture show, her unique Argentinean features make her one of the most beautiful women in the industry.
Awarded Model of the Year at the 2023 edition of the Fashion Awards, Paloma Elsesser is considered one of the most inspiring new models of her generation. Discovered through social media, Paloma broke the boundaries of representation on the runway. Standing for a wider scope of body types, the top model is not afraid to speak her mind about the industry. With infinite appearances throughout the past Fashion Weeks, we know we'll be seeing much more of Paloma Elsesser in the upcoming seasons.
Discovered at the age of 13 and making her runway debut opening the Givenchy Spring/Summer 2014 show in Paris, Imaan Hammam is one of the most wanted faces in fashion. Born in Amsterdam to an Egyptian father and a Moroccan mother, her unique features make her one of the most beautiful women in today's fashion scene. Very vocal about diversity and racism in the industry, the supermodel is considered a role model and an inspiration for Arabic girls all over the world.
