17 Supermodels Of The 90s And How Do They Look Now

They are still beautiful

Damjan

• Published in Film & TV
• February 20, 2023

The Hadid sisters and Kendall Jenner may be the most recognizable supermodels of today, but it was not always this way. In the 90s, supermodels were just as big of names as any Hollywood star and started fashion trends that impacted the entire world.

Linda Evangelista’s iconic haircut, Kate Moss’s grunge look, and many others were all born in the 90s. Though the Golden Age of supermodels has passed, their influence still stands the test of time.

Many of these models are still active in the fashion industry today, walking down the catwalk or running their businesses. So it can be interesting to compare what they looked like then and now.

In the 90s, the most famous supermodels included Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington, and Claudia Schiffer. All four of these models had distinct looks that made them instantly recognizable.

As a result, they were the faces of some of the most extensive fashion campaigns and regularly appeared on the covers of magazines.

In addition to their looks, these models were known for their personalities. They were confident, outspoken, and fiercely independent. They were not afraid to speak their minds and were a powerful force in the fashion industry.

These supermodels also had a great work ethic and were some of the first models to have a personal brand. They had endorsements, collaborations, and other business ventures outside of modeling. They were some of the first to set the precedent that models were more than just pretty faces.

So, while the Hadid sisters and Kendall Jenner are today’s most popular models, it is essential to recognize the original supermodels who paved the way for them. They were the faces of the 90s, and their influence still resonates today.

1. Eva Herzigová

In 1994, the renowned Sara Lee “Hello Boys” Wonderbra campaign featured a close-up of Eva Herzigová wearing a black Wonderbra. The iconic Czech model has also been featured in Guess? Jeans advertisements, Victoria’s Secret catalogs, and Sports Illustrated.

Additionally, she has graced the covers of some of the world's most renowned fashion magazines, such as Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, Marie Claire, Numéro, and Allure. Eva has also taken to the runways for renowned fashion houses such as Louis Vuitton, Benedetta Dubini, Giles Deacon, Emilio Pucci, and Versace.

2. Amber Valletta

Valletta began her modeling career at eighteen, achieving her first of sixteen American Vogue covers. During the 1990s, she became a highly successful supermodel, being the face of prestigious fashion brands such as Giorgio Armani, Chanel, Escada, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Valentino, Gucci, and Versace.

She also acquired multiple high-value cosmetics contracts with Calvin Klein and Elizabeth Arden.

3. Linda Evangelista

Eva Evangelista is widely celebrated as one of the most successful and impactful models of all ages, having been featured on over 700 magazine covers. Referred to as the “chameleon” of the fashion world and a significant figure among the five supermodels, Evangelista was one of the most well-known individuals on the planet during the late 1980s and early 1990s.

4. Christy Turlington

Turlington achieved fame as a supermodel during the late 1980s and early 1990s and was dubbed "the most beautiful woman in the world" by Grace Coddington, the iconic creative director of American Vogue magazine. Numerous renowned fashion brands have featured her in their advertising campaigns, from Calvin Klein and Chanel to Louis Vuitton, Maybelline, and many more.

5. Laetitia Casta

In 1993, Casta began her career as a "GUESS?" Girl. She then became a Victoria's Secret Angel from 1998 to 2000 and a representative for the cosmetics brand L'Oréal. She has also modeled for top-tier designers and featured on over 100 covers of popular magazines, including Cosmopolitan, Vogue, Rolling Stone, Elle, and Glamour.

6. Claudia Schiffer

In the 1990s, Claudia Schiffer achieved worldwide fame as one of the world's most successful models, with over 1000 magazine covers and the Guinness World Record for the model with the most magazine covers. In 1997, she signed an exclusive worldwide contract with L'Oréal and remained one of the company's longest-serving ambassadors.

7. Stephanie Seymour

She achieved immense success as a supermodel in the 80s and 90s, featuring in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, gracing the cover of Vogue, and formerly representing Victoria's Secret as an Angel.

8. Naomi Campbell

At the tender age of 15, Naomi Campbell's modeling career began, and she quickly ascended to become one of the most distinguished and sought-after models over the last four decades. Along with five other models, the fashion world and media outlets esteemed her as a' supermodel'.

9. Janice Dickinson

She has had a successful career in fashion, having collaborated with some of the industry's most renowned names and graced the covers of esteemed publications like Harper's Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, Photo, Vogue, Marie Claire, and Playboy. Her impressive resume includes 37 Vogue covers and a remarkable seven consecutive covers of Elle.

10. Helena Christensen

In the 1990s, supermodel Christy Turlington Christensen achieved massive success and fame. Her iconic modeling career began in 1992 when she was chosen to be a spokesperson for Revlon cosmetics.

She has since been featured on the covers of prestigious magazines such as Vogue, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, and W. She has done campaigns for luxury fashion brands like Revlon, Chanel, Versace, Lanvin, Prada, Sonia Rykiel, Hermès, Valentino, and Karl Lagerfeld.

11. Tyra Banks

At age 15, Tyra Banks embarked on her modeling career and made history by becoming the first African-American woman to appear on the cover of GQ and the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, in which she was featured three times. From 1997 to 2005, Banks was a Victoria’s Secret Angel, and by the early 2000s, she had become one of the world’s highest-earning models.

12. Aishwarya Rai

Aishwarya Rai is renowned for her performances in Hindi and Tamil films and is one of the most beloved and influential celebrities in India. She has been recognized with multiple awards, including two Filmfare Awards, the Padma Shri award from the Government of India in 2009 and the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres from the Government of France in 2012.

13. Esther Cañadas

Cañadas has established herself as one of the fashion world's most recognizable faces, having graced the catwalk and starred in campaigns for renowned designers. Donna Karan was particularly taken with her, resulting in her being chosen to be the face of the DKNY brand.

Her image has been featured on the covers of esteemed publications such as Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and Marie Claire. She has worked with many of the most renowned photographers in the fashion industry, including Steven Meisel, Helmut Newton, Peter Lindbergh, and more.

14. Kate Moss

In the early 1990s, Kate Moss rose to fame as part of the heroin chic fashion trend at the tail end of the “supermodel era.” Her work with Calvin Klein helped her become a well-known fashion icon due to her slender figure and participation in size zero fashion. Moss was honored with the British Fashion Awards in 2013, recognizing her impressive 25-year career.

15. Christie Brinkley

The iconic and renowned model Brinkley established her place in the spotlight through her many appearances in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issues, featured on the cover for three consecutive years from 1979 to 1981. She has worked as the face of CoverGirl for 25 years and has graced the front of more than 500 magazines.

In addition, she has also signed with various fashion and non-fashion brands.

16. Karen Mulder

Mulder is a renowned supermodel, best known for her work with designer labels such as Versace, Dior, and Chanel. She has been featured on the cover of Vogue multiple times and was the first model to be named a "Victoria's Secret Angel" from her home country. Throughout her career, Mulder was one of the top ten highest-paid models in the world, earning approximately £10,000 per day.

17. Kelly Brook

Brook is a renowned model in the United Kingdom, and her prominent status as a sex symbol and fashion icon has been well-earned -- she was crowned FHM's Sexiest Woman in the World in 2005 and has been featured in the magazine's Sexiest Women countdown every year since 1998.

Some supermodels age like fine wine, looking better as time goes on. They have unique looks and effortlessly exude confidence and grace.

As they age, they become more mature, but still retain the same youthful beauty that made them so popular in the first place. They have a timeless quality, never seeming to age or go out of style.

Damjan