The term “supermodel” refers to a model whose fame extends beyond the runway to achieve mainstream recognition comparable to that of actresses or singers. In the 1990s, a select group of models reached this status, redefining the place of modeling in popular culture. Six names come up particularly often: Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington, Claudia Schiffer and Kate Moss.
Why lists of supermodels vary from one source to another
The selection of “six legendary supermodels” is not set in stone. The documentary series The Super Models, which premiered on September 20, 2023, on Apple TV+, focuses on four of them: Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista and Christy Turlington. Other media outlets add Claudia Schiffer, Kate Moss or even Tatjana Patitz.
This variation comes down to the criteria used. If we focus on the models who dominated magazine covers and major advertising campaigns from the late 1980s to the mid-1990s, the core group consists of five or six recurring names. The term “The Big Six” appears in fashion publications to refer to Campbell, Crawford, Evangelista, Turlington, Schiffer and sometimes Moss or Patitz.
To better understand what sets the six legendary supermodels apart from other models of the era, we need to look at their individual careers and their collective role in transforming the industry.
Naomi Campbell and Cindy Crawford: two trailblazing careers
Naomi Campbell was the first Black model to appear on the cover of French Vogue. This often-cited milestone sums up the impact of her career: she opened doors in an industry where diversity was virtually nonexistent. Far from holding her back, her assertive personality helped cement her image as fashion’s “Black Panther.”
Campbell has said that she remained at the top of the fashion world for more than two decades without anyone taking her place. Beyond the provocation, the statement reflects her exceptional longevity: she continues to appear on the covers of prestigious magazines and walk for leading fashion houses.
Cindy Crawford took a different path. The beauty mark above her lip, initially seen as a flaw by some agencies, became her signature. Crawford built an approachable image that bridged high fashion and American popular culture. She was one of the first models to turn her fame into a lasting personal brand, particularly in the beauty industry.
Linda Evangelista and Christy Turlington: personality and advocacy
Linda Evangelista is associated with a line that became famous in fashion history: she wouldn’t get out of bed for less than a certain amount per day. Beyond the anecdote, Evangelista embodied a model’s ability to set her own terms with brands, reversing the traditional balance of power between designers and models.
Her ability to transform her look, going from a short haircut to radically different styles from one season to the next, made her a favorite of many photographers. This chameleon-like quality set her apart in an industry that tended to favor a consistent, recognizable image.
Christy Turlington chose to extend her legacy beyond modeling through her advocacy work. She focuses on access to care related to pregnancy and childbirth, a field far removed from fashion but in keeping with her desire to give lasting purpose to her fame. Turlington represents the shift from model icon to model activist.
Claudia Schiffer and Kate Moss: two visions of modeling
Claudia Schiffer embodied a classic ideal of beauty, often compared to that of Brigitte Bardot. Her career spanned both haute couture runways and mainstream campaigns. More recently, she has moved into production, marking a shift into the entertainment industry. In January 2024, she was still appearing on the cover of Grazia to discuss her film projects.
Kate Moss holds a unique place on this list. Discovered at a very young age, she brought a distinctive look to the table, more androgynous and less sculpted than the prevailing standards of the time. Moss redefined the aesthetic codes of modeling, paving the way for a silhouette different from the one that dominated the runways.
Her influence on fashion is also reflected in her longevity: Kate Moss turned fifty in January 2024 and remains a fixture in fashion news and collaborations with major brands.
The group as a phenomenon: what sets this generation of supermodels apart
One aspect that receives less attention in the press is the collective nature of this phenomenon. The series The Super Models highlights the friendship between these women and their awareness of belonging to a group, rather than simply pursuing parallel individual careers.
Several factors made this phenomenon possible:
- Television brought runway shows to audiences beyond the small circle of fashion professionals, turning models into public figures recognized by a broad audience.
- Designers in the 1980s and 1990s deliberately highlighted their models’ personalities, not just their looks, creating a spectacle around fashion shows.
- Without social media, fame was concentrated around a small number of faces, whereas today’s media landscape spreads attention across thousands of profiles.
The supermodel phenomenon was a product of the pre-digital era, when limited media exposure helped create enduring icons. Today’s models can gain millions of followers in just a few months, but none has matched this group’s level of widespread cultural recognition.
The six legendary supermodels were more than just successful models. They transformed a supporting role into a position of power, negotiated contracts like movie stars and used their fame to pursue projects beyond fashion. Their legacy remains visible in every debate about diversity, career longevity and the place of models in popular culture.
