You’ve seen them on billboards, magazine covers, and opening shows at Paris Fashion Week. Supermodels aren’t just beautiful faces-they’re cultural forces who changed how the world sees beauty, power, and ambition. But here’s the real question: who are the next generation of supermodels, and how are today’s legends paving their way?
What Makes a Supermodel? It’s More Than Just a Face
A supermodel isn’t just someone who walks a runway or graces a cover. They’re global icons. Think Naomi Campbell strutting in a diamond-encrusted bikini for Versace in 1991, or Cindy Crawford lighting up a Pepsi commercial with a wink. These women didn’t just sell clothes-they sold dreams. They had personality, voice, and business savvy. They became household names before social media existed.
Today, the definition has expanded. Supermodels now include trans women like Valentina Sampaio, models of color like Adut Akech, and activists like Ashley Graham. The industry no longer fits one mold. And that shift? It’s being led by the legends who broke the rules.
How Today’s Supermodels Are Training the Next Wave
Supermodels aren’t just posing-they’re mentoring. Gigi Hadid has publicly coached young models on runway technique and self-worth. Karlie Kloss founded Kode with Klossy, a coding camp for teenage girls that’s helped over 10,000 girls learn tech skills alongside fashion. Tyra Banks didn’t just host America’s Next Top Model-she built a whole pipeline of confidence, not just contracts.
These aren’t one-off appearances. They’re long-term investments in the future. Supermodels now run agencies, launch beauty lines, and sit on design teams. They know that the next generation won’t just need good bones-they’ll need resilience, digital skills, and a strong sense of self.
The New Blueprint: What Makes a Future Supermodel?
Back in the ‘90s, you needed height, symmetry, and a blank canvas. Today? You need something else entirely.
- Authenticity-Gen Z doesn’t buy perfection. They buy truth. Look at Bella Hadid’s candid Instagram stories or Lila Moss’s openness about mental health.
- Advocacy-Models now speak out on climate change, racial justice, and body positivity. The ones who stay relevant are the ones who stand for something.
- Digital fluency-They don’t just have followers-they build communities. A future supermodel knows how to create viral content, negotiate brand deals, and manage their personal brand like a CEO.
- Uniqueness-No more cookie-cutter faces. The industry now celebrates freckles, scars, dark skin, curves, and gender nonconformity.
The old model scouts looked for a specific number: 34-24-34. Now they’re looking for a vibe. A spark. A story.
From Runway to Reality: Real Stories of Rising Stars
Meet Amilna Estevão. She’s 19, from Angola, and walked for Prada last season. She didn’t come from a modeling family. She didn’t go to a top agency in New York. She posted a photo on Instagram during a school trip to Luanda-and got discovered by a scout scrolling through tagged photos. Today, she’s signed with IMG and works with Dior. Her secret? She speaks four languages and never hides her roots.
Then there’s Kai-Isaiah Jamal, a non-binary model who became the first to walk in a major fashion week show as a trans man. He didn’t wait for permission. He created his own space. Now he’s a creative director, activist, and face of Calvin Klein’s gender-fluid campaign.
These aren’t outliers. They’re the new normal.
Supermodels as Teachers, Not Just Icons
Look at the way Naomi Campbell opened her home to young Black models during London Fashion Week. Or how Iman started a scholarship fund for models of color in East Africa. These aren’t PR stunts-they’re legacy-building.
Supermodels today understand their power. They know they’re not just selling perfume. They’re shaping identity. They’re telling girls in Lagos, Jakarta, and Kansas City: You belong here.
And that’s why the next generation isn’t just following in their footsteps-they’re rewriting the path.
What’s Missing in Today’s Modeling World?
Let’s be honest. The industry still has problems. Pay gaps. Exploitation. Unrealistic expectations. But the difference now? The next wave won’t stay silent.
Where the ‘90s supermodels fought for equal pay behind closed doors, today’s models are posting contracts online. Where past icons avoided politics, today’s stars are calling out brands for greenwashing. They’re demanding transparency in casting, fair contracts, and mental health support.
The supermodels of the future won’t just be beautiful. They’ll be brave.
Comparison: Supermodels Then vs. Now
| Aspect | 1990s Supermodels | 2025 Supermodels |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Platform | Magazines, TV, Billboards | Instagram, TikTok, YouTube |
| Body Type | Extremely thin, uniform | Diverse sizes, shapes, abilities |
| Public Voice | Rarely spoke on politics | Advocates for climate, race, LGBTQ+ |
| Business Ownership | Some launched fragrances | Launch brands, agencies, media companies |
| Path to Fame | Scouted in malls or cities | Discovered via social media, street casting |
| Legacy Focus | Personal brand | Community, equity, systemic change |
What’s Next for Supermodels?
The next decade won’t be about who’s the tallest or the thinnest. It’ll be about who’s the most influential. Who’s using their platform to lift others? Who’s challenging the system instead of just fitting into it?
Supermodels aren’t disappearing. They’re evolving. And the future isn’t waiting for permission. It’s already here-in the hands of a 16-year-old from Nairobi posting her first editorial shoot on TikTok, or a 22-year-old non-binary model in Berlin designing their own sustainable clothing line.
The real supermodels of tomorrow? They won’t be waiting to be discovered. They’ll be creating their own runway.
Are supermodels still relevant today?
Yes-but not in the way they used to be. Today’s supermodels aren’t just faces on a billboard. They’re CEOs, activists, mentors, and creators. Their relevance comes from influence, not just appearances. A supermodel today might run a nonprofit, launch a skincare brand, or speak at the UN about fashion’s environmental impact. Their power is in their voice, not just their walk.
Can anyone become a supermodel today?
The door is wider than ever. You don’t need to be 5’11” or size 0. Brands are casting models with stretch marks, vitiligo, hearing aids, and disabilities. What matters now is your story, your confidence, and your ability to connect. Many are discovered through Instagram or TikTok-not traditional agencies. If you’re authentic and consistent, you can build a following that turns into a career.
Do supermodels make a lot of money?
Top supermodels still earn millions-think Gigi Hadid’s $10M+ annual deals or Rihanna’s Fenty partnership. But the average model? It’s not glamorous. Many earn minimum wage or less, especially early on. The real financial success comes from building a personal brand: launching products, writing books, or becoming influencers. The supermodels who thrive long-term are the ones who treat modeling as a stepping stone, not the destination.
How do young models get discovered now?
It’s not about being spotted at a mall anymore. Most new models are found through social media. A scout might see a photo tagged #modelsearch or #streetcasting. Others get discovered at open calls in cities like Lagos, Manila, or Mexico City. Some agencies now hold virtual auditions. The key? Post consistently, show personality, and don’t wait for permission. The industry is chasing authenticity, not just perfection.
What’s the biggest challenge for new models today?
The pressure to be perfect-online and off. Social media makes it easy to compare yourself to edited images and viral trends. Mental health struggles are high in the industry. The smartest young models today are the ones who hire therapists, set boundaries with brands, and surround themselves with mentors who care about their well-being, not just their stats.
Final Thought: The Real Superpower Isn’t Beauty
Supermodels used to be admired for their looks. Today, they’re respected for their courage. The next generation won’t be remembered for their cheekbones. They’ll be remembered for changing the game.
So if you’re a young person dreaming of the runway-don’t wait to be chosen. Build your platform. Speak your truth. Use your voice. The world doesn’t need another copy. It needs you.
