Supermodels - Fashion’s Brightest Stars: Who They Are and Why They Still Matter

You’ve seen them on billboards, magazine covers, and opening shows in Milan and New York. Their faces are everywhere-sometimes more recognizable than the brands they wear. But who are supermodels, really? And why, in an age of influencers and TikTok stars, do they still command the world’s attention?

What Exactly Is a Supermodel?

A supermodel isn’t just a tall woman who walks down a runway. A supermodel is someone who breaks out of the fashion world and becomes a global icon. They don’t just wear clothes-they define trends, shape beauty standards, and land deals with brands far beyond fashion. Think of them as the original celebrities of style.

The term exploded in the late 1980s and early 1990s, when a handful of women-Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista, Claudia Schiffer, and Kate Moss-became household names. These weren’t just models. They had contracts with Pepsi, appeared on the cover of Vogue multiple times a year, and earned millions per campaign. Linda Evangelista famously said, "We don’t wake up for less than $10,000 a day." That wasn’t bragging-it was the new normal.

Today, the definition has expanded. Supermodels still walk for Chanel and Valentino, but they also launch skincare lines, star in Netflix documentaries, and build empires on Instagram. The difference between a model and a supermodel? Supermodels own their brand. They’re not hired for a look-they’re hired because they’ve become a symbol.

Why Supermodels Still Matter in 2026

You might think social media killed the supermodel. After all, anyone with 100K followers can call themselves a "model." But here’s the truth: supermodels still dominate the highest-paying, most visible jobs in fashion.

When Victoria’s Secret wants to relaunch, they don’t pick a TikTok dancer. They bring back Naomi Campbell. When Louis Vuitton launches a new handbag, they don’t use an influencer with 500K followers-they hire Gigi Hadid or Bella Hadid, who have over 50 million combined followers and still command runway attention.

Why? Because supermodels bring credibility. They’ve been vetted by decades of top designers, editors, and photographers. Their faces are trusted. A brand doesn’t just pay for a photo shoot-they pay for legacy.

And let’s not forget the money. In 2025, the top 5 supermodels earned an average of $12 million each. That’s more than most Hollywood leads. Gigi Hadid reportedly made $9.5 million in 2024 just from brand deals. Karlie Kloss turned her modeling career into a coding education nonprofit for girls. These aren’t just faces-they’re CEOs.

The Evolution of the Supermodel

The supermodel of the 1990s looked very different from today’s. Back then, it was all about the "look"-tall, thin, icy, and flawless. Cindy Crawford had a mole. Naomi Campbell had curves. But they were still expected to fit a narrow mold.

Today’s supermodels are breaking those rules. Ashley Graham, a size 14, has walked for Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty and appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Paloma Elsesser, who identifies as plus-size and queer, has opened shows for Prada and Dior. And let’s not forget Adwoa Aboah, who uses her platform to talk about mental health.

The industry is changing. Supermodels now aren’t just beautiful-they’re voices. They speak out on diversity, sustainability, and ethics. They’re not just selling jeans-they’re selling a message. And consumers are listening.

How Supermodels Are Made (And Why It’s Harder Than Ever)

It used to be simple: get scouted at a mall, move to New York, sign with IMG or Elite, and boom-you’re a supermodel.

Now? It’s a marathon. Agencies still scout, but they also look at Instagram analytics. A model needs a unique look, strong engagement, and a personal brand. They need to know how to pose for a selfie, write a caption, and manage a publicist.

And the competition? It’s brutal. Thousands of aspiring models post daily. Only a handful get noticed. Even then, breaking into the top tier requires more than looks. You need resilience. You need to handle rejection. You need to stay true to yourself when the industry tries to change you.

Take Kaia Gerber. She’s Cindy Crawford’s daughter. She didn’t just ride her mom’s coattails-she worked her way up. At 16, she walked 40+ shows in one season. She didn’t just pose-she studied the craft. That’s what separates the supermodels from the rest.

Supermodels vs. Influencers: What’s the Real Difference?

The key difference? Supermodels are chosen by the industry. Influencers are chosen by the audience. One is built on legacy. The other is built on virality.

Where Supermodels Are Today

They’re not just in Paris or Milan anymore. Supermodels are everywhere. You’ll find them in Vancouver, where Gigi Hadid shot a campaign for a Canadian ski brand last winter. You’ll see them in Lagos, where Naomi Campbell launched a fashion incubator for African designers. You’ll hear them on podcasts, talking about body image and mental health.

Many are shifting into behind-the-scenes roles. Karolina Kurkova runs a production company. Christy Turlington founded a maternal health nonprofit. These women aren’t retiring-they’re evolving.

And the next generation? Look at Rianne van Rompaey, who’s now a director. Or Adut Akech, who’s launching her own clothing line. Supermodels aren’t disappearing. They’re becoming creators.

What You Can Learn From Supermodels

Even if you’ll never walk a runway, there’s something to learn from how supermodels operate:

• Own your brand. Supermodels don’t wait for someone to tell them who they are. They define it themselves.
• Be consistent. They don’t disappear for years. They show up, year after year.
• Adapt without losing yourself. They’ve changed with the times-but never lost their core identity.
• Use your voice. The best supermodels today aren’t silent. They speak up.

That’s not just fashion advice. That’s life advice.

Frequently Asked Questions