A supermodel is a highly paid fashion model who usually has a worldwide reputation and often a background in haute couture and commercial modeling. The term supermodel became prominent in the popular culture of the 1980s.
Supermodels usually work for top fashion designers and famous clothing brands. They have multi-million dollar contracts, endorsements and campaigns. They have branded themelves as household names.
They have been on the covers of prestigious magazines such as French, British and Italian Vogue. Claudia Schiffer stated, “In order to become a supermodel one must be on all the covers all over the world at the same time so that people can recognise the girls.
By the 1990s, the supermodel became increasingly prominent in the media. The title became tantamount to superstar, to signify a supermodel’s fame having risen simply from “personality.” Supermodels did talk shows, were cited in gossip columns, partied at the trendiest nightspots, landed movie roles, inspired franchises, dated or married film stars, and earned themselves millions. Fame empowered them to take charge of their careers, to market themselves, and to command higher fees.
The defining year and turning point for top models, high fashion, and popular culture was 1990. The combined power, singular beauty and unprecedented influence of five women – Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Christy Turlington, Linda Evangelista, and Tatjana Patitz] – created such an impression on the fashion world that they came to embody the term supermodel. Individually and as an elite group, it seemed as if the idea of the supermodel had been coined just for them.
Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell, 1990s
The new era began in January 1990 with the era-defining British Vogue cover presenting Naomi, Cindy, Christy, Linda and Tatjana together as a group. Each model had gradually attained fame since the mid-1980s and were now the industry’s top stars, responsible for expanding and positively changing ideals of beauty due to their individual and idiosyncratic looks.
In 1991, Christy Turlington signed a contract with Maybelline that paid her $800,000 for twelve days’ work each year. Four years later, Claudia Schiffer reportedly earned $12 million for her various modeling assignments. Authorities ranging from Karl Lagerfeld to Time had declared the supermodels more glamorous than movie stars.
As the 1990s phenomenon progressed, the supermodels were joined by Kate Moss. They were the most heavily in demand, collectively dominating magazine covers, fashion runways, editorial pages, and both print and broadcast advertising. Excluding Moss, they are known as the “original supermodels
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