The fashion designer’s muse has changed over the years. Supermodels in the modern world are more than just a pretty face or a mannequin, they’re social media influencers and celebrities all their own. They may be more independent from designers, but they still have an important role to play in that relationship.
Here’s a look at the Supermodel, past and present.
The Supermodel’s Origin
The title of “first supermodel” has been tossed between a few people. As the culture of fashion changed, the idea of the supermodel grew. These beautiful women who were previously the mannequins of fashion designers became a cultural force all their own.
Dorian Leigh. Lisa Fonssagrives. Jean Shrimpton. Which one was it?
Dorian Leigh was one of the first iconic models, whether she was defined as a supermodel or not. Fonssagrives may have called herself “a good clothes hanger”, but she was clearly far more than that. Jean Shrimpton happened to hit it big when the idea of the supermodel became culturally mainstream, but she deserved the title too.
The point is these women weren’t just a pretty face, they had attitude, style, grace, and so much more wrapped up into one. They were muses and models and celebrities all their own.
They set the bar for all the models that follow them. From Dovima to Twiggy, Carmen Dell’Orefice to Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss to Tyra Banks. Simply iconic.
The Top Models Of Today
According to Vogue, the top earning models of 2017 are as follows:
Kendall Jenner
Gisele Bündchen
Chrissy Teigen
Adriana Lima
Gigi Hadid
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley
Karlie Kloss
Liu Wen
Bella Hadid
Ashley Graham
With Gisele retiring and Kendall taking the lead, it’s a clear sign that the source of the supermodel has changed recently. Their Instagram presence is even more telling with Kendall Jenner reigning with 89.7 MILLION followers and Gisele only rocking 14.3 million. Talk about an audience.
A New Kind Of Model
Instagram models and Twitter moguls. The medium may have changed from magazines to social media, but the goal remains the same: Recognition.
In the past, the designer and magazine execs played a careful role in choosing and exposing the “next big thing”, but now anyone can make it big with the right look and loyal online following. But walking the runway or wearing the best clothes aren’t enough either.
Models have become fashion moguls in their own right with social media promotion, reality shows, and their own clothing lines. The sky’s the limit for the business-minded model.
