We know Kendall, Doutzen, Gigi, Bella, and Karlie. They’re virtually everywhere. Billboards, print, TV ads, high-fashion runways. But before them, there were the first batch of models who enjoyed the then newly coined title, Supermodel.
The Big Five – Cindy, Naomi, Christy, Linda, and Tatjana, are only some of the first names to rise to prominence and own the designation. Slender face, high cheekbones, full lips, toned torso, long limbs, great hair with no strand out of place. The gods must have actually spent months on these ridiculously good-looking human beings. But what are they up to now?
Sipping champagne while snickering at new generation models
If she’s not collecting scads of cash from modeling and coaching, Naomi Campbell spends her time on hot seats giving the side eye on younger models. In 2018, in an interview with Andy Cohen, she threw epic shade at Kendall Jenner.
When asked on her take on Kendall’s statement that she “cherry picks her jobs,” Naomi responded, “Next question.” Talk about one-two punch. Plus, the scowl was real. Rather dismissive of Instagram models or the Instagirls, the supermodel has also been quoted several times on different occasions, saying, “We really had to earn our stripes…” during her era.
From bathing suit to business suit
At 20, Kathy Ireland landed the pages of Sports Illustrated 13 consecutive times. This skyrocketed her career and earned her the title, Supermodel. These days, however, it’s all about socks for Ms. Ireland. Multibillion-dollar worth of socks, that is, among numerous other items of course, which her brand kathy ireland Worldwide (kiWW) carries. From handbags to diamonds to flooring, name it and kiWW most likely has it.
The former face and body of SI is one relentless entrepreneur. It’s no wonder she’s one of the richest self-made female millionaires with a net worth of a whopping $500M. And kiWW’s worth? Well, $2B, give or take. Now, that’s girl power doing the hustle.
In pop culture and Love Actually
You probably heard her name dropped multiple times in the British rom-com, Love Actually. Until Claudia Schiffer herself made an appearance toward the end of the film. Big deal? Actually, it is. You might want to know how much the supermodel got for a paycheck.
Well, her cameo role that lasted 60 seconds, literally, was worth some $348,684. Yes, you read that right. So, as it turns out, apparently the timeless beauty has it still, the X factor. That ineffable appeal that gets her paid big bucks for a teensy-weensy role. Claudia just had to smile. Guess that’s a supermodel thing.
Livin’ la vida the European high society way
She has definitely made a name for herself, bearing numerous credentials under her supermodel belt. These titles include Special Olympics international board of directors’ member, fundraiser for Russian charity race Running Hearts, model for the first Russian barbie doll, FIFA 2018 World Cup ambassador, and inspirational speaker, among others. But Natalia Vodianova also has her way with men of high caliber.
She was once upon a time a Viscountness when she married English nobleman Justin Portman. Sadly, they ended up in divorce. Lo and behold, though! Shortly thereafter, Natalia met and got into a relationship with Berluti CEO Antoine Arnault. They’re getting married soon.
Being photographed nude at 61
…for a magazine, that is. It was in 2005 when model and actress Lauren Hutton decided to be daring and go bare for Big Magazine. She explained via ABC News that she had consulted with her 14 godchildren before ultimately agreeing to do the shoot. They told her it would be “inspirational.”
After which she realized that it was, indeed, inspirational. She was even critical toward how society kept telling women to hide their bodies and flaws and be ashamed. Lauren said that no woman of any age should feel shame for the body she’s in.
Doing philanthropy and advocacy campaigns in style
Dubbed “the greatest model of all time” by veteran casting director James Scully, Christy Turlington-Burns made a name for herself in fashion at 14. Today, Christy leads a successful domestic life – a happily-ever-after with husband of 17 years (and going stronger), two beautiful children, and two dogs to complete the household. A life of content guides her goodwill initiatives.
Christy founded Every Mother Counts, a non-profit organization supporting maternal health. Her efforts and influence have reached mothers in need of help the world over. Her acclaimed film, No Woman, No Cry, documenting the struggles of at-risk pregnant women, contributed to spreading the word on her noble work.
Nurturing nature
German-born, Swedish-raised original supermodel, Tatjana Patitz is still shining with silent sophistication. According to her, it is nature that feeds everyone and that it keeps her grounded as a person. Championing the betterment of Mother Earth, she actively promotes protection of African wildlife and is truly involved in projects of the organizations she collaborates with.
She’s been focusing on elephants, in particular, in the most recent years. Tatjana believes that all can take part to alleviate the crisis between survival of humanity and capacity of wildlife to stay in its natural habitats. The 53-year-old stunner hopes for balance, eventually. And these values certainly reflect her unpretentious lifestyle.
Building sizeable brands
Claudia Schiffer is signed up for her own haircare line with Schwarzkopf. She is also busy managing and designing for her luxury line of knitwear which is in collaboration with cashmere company TSE. Oh and, the Guinness World record-holder is also involved with humanitarian work, having teamed up with UNICEF. Hats off to another multi-hyphenate supermodel!
About the world record, you might ask? She is the model who made it to magazine covers the most number of times. Claudia appeared on over 1,000 covers.
Driving under the influence and dissing millennial models
Stephanie Seymour may have been one of the first Victoria’s Secret angels – good for her – but she may also be spending so much time under the limelight. For the wrong reasons. From bluntly calling her relationship with former beau Axl Rose “a mistake” (which is ancient history), fast forward to 2016 when she was arrested for DUI. Hot model to an uncool mess? How’s that for a fallen VS angel?
In the same year, she called “beautiful girls” Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner “[expletive] of the moment.” And with a good laugh. Sorry to burst your bubble, Steph, but the younger brood had to hold out.
Cheering on fashion’s fresh blood on the runway
…and on Instagram. Sashaying her signature supermodel walk for Marc Jacob’s autumn/winter show in 2019, Christy Turlington-Burns showed that at 50, she hasn’t lost her touch, or her strut, after all these years of breaking away from fashion show spotlights.
She expressed excitement over having been invited by the famous designer to close his show. On a lengthy Instagram post, she did not fail to mention and thank Karlie Kloss and Gigi Hadid who also walked on the show and whom she endearingly called “lovely young women.”
Feuding with Tom Cruise
Better known for her work on TV and film, Brooke Shields was, in fact, a model before she’s an actor. She openly talked about her struggles with depression and how she managed it with the aid of medication. This somehow did not come across right for scientologist Tom Cruise.
He did not have qualms criticizing her for taking antidepressants, blatantly calling it “irresponsible.” The exchange of sour messages through separate interviews lasted for a while until the Mission Impossible star apologized to Brooke. She accepted the apology and even shared that she was “so impressed with how heartfelt it was.”
Still a size 0
Okay, so that may be an exaggeration. But hey, just take a look at Cindy Crawford. It’s as if nothing has changed. If any, the classy and classic beauty has become even more gorgeous, more stunning, more of a head-turner. Her agelessness is undeniable. The globally celebrated supermodel makes growing old look so good. Perhaps, she has secretly found the fountain of youth.
Or maybe, more realistically, it’s the maturity her years have to offer that brings out that youthful glow. She also bears the strength and pride of motherhood. And these are great to have for every woman.
Kate Moss is still Boss
The British style icon has not retired from modeling. Now 46, Kate is able to successfully represent big labels in their major campaigns, juggling several at the same time. And she’s not hitting the brakes. On the contrary, her contribution to the fashion industry just keeps piling up.
From venturing into the production arm to signing her name on perfume brands to being a fashion editor for British Vogue, Kate Moss does it all like a boss. She’s also rearing new breed of talents via her eponymous modeling agency.
Being flawsome with a smize and a tooch
Tyra Banks may bring out the best in aspirants on her reality show, America’s Next Top Model, but the model-slash-mogul is also wildly infamous for her fun coinages. The Tyra-isms. Three of her best? Smize. Tooch. Flawsome.
As she encourages contenders to reveal the fierce in them, her worthy advice is to smize, i.e., to smile with the eyes. Next up, to tooch is to isolate the torso to make the bottom pop, projecting nicer, smarter-looking curves. Then there’s flawsome. It’s an encouragement to identify and embrace flaws, and in turn, translate them into assets. Way to go, girlboss!
Educating us on how to get The Body
It was Time Magazine, no less, that gave Elle Macpherson the moniker, “The Body.” She confidently capitalized on it. And still does. Now 56 years old, Elle has tried her hands at fashion designing, acting, and hosting. She appeared on Friends and Batman and Robin. Her hosting gig was with Britain and Ireland’s Next Top Model. But it looks like business is her calling.
She’s making millions from her Elle Macpherson Intimates lingerie line. She’s into health and wellness supplements business, too. Of course, there’s the set of workout videos titled Elle Macpherson – The Body. Now there goes another supermodel serial entrepreneur. Ka-ching! Ka-ching!
Thriving behind the camera
Photography is an art form that requires passion. And the passion for photography has long found Helena Christensen. She’s now an accomplished 51-year-old professional photographer, having gone around the world to capture pivotal moments amid various cultures. She has worked on a mission to document the effects of climate change. She’s told stories of different people and communities through snapshots. Helena even photographed for UNHCR.
She hasn’t completely turned her back on the fashion industry though. Only this time, Helena’s one to click the camera. She’s done shoots for fashion spreads, working with today’s famous models. And loves it.
Model mom
Cindy Crawford-Gerber’s Kaia and Presley were both born at home. On March 30, 2020, the model mom shared on Instagram a rare photo taken after one of her home births. She explains that finally opening up about the experience is her way of letting women know that they have options and can make decisions about their bodies, pregnancy, and giving birth.
Meanwhile, it seems that it’s not only the supermodel gene that she passed on to Kaia specifically. Cindy is quite the disciplinarian. She and husband, Rande, are a solid team in raising their children. Would you know that the siblings aren’t even allowed to use cusswords? Not very lenient, are you, Cindy?
Happily married to the right one
After a failed engagement with David Copperfield, Claudia Schiffer is now a happy wife to her knight in shining armor, Matthew Vaughn. She had always believed that there was no perfect man until she bumped into Matthew who, she said in an interview with The Guardian, “completely swept her off her feet.” The guy surely must have given how Claudia still gushes over her husband after almost two decades of marriage, and counting.
One of the most beautiful faces on the planet, Claudia shares vivid recollection of Mathew’s extra romantic proposal to her. They have three children together.
Putting the glamour in grandma
While Linda Evangelista may not be as fortunate as Christy or Claudia in the marriage department, she has a young treasure to forever love and hold, her grandson by former stepdaughter Roxanne. In 2017, the fashion icon proudly announced through an Instagram post that she was a new granny to a precious little boy.
Roxanne is the daughter of Linda’s ex-husband Gérald Marie, former head of Elite Model Paris. Despite her divorce from Marie, she apparently maintained a close relationship with Roxanne. Besides her grandson, Linda is also a doting mother to Augustin James, her 12-year-old son by French billionaire François-Henri Pinault.