The List of 90s Supermodels Every Millenial Worshipped
The 1990s are often referred to as the Era of the Supermodel. During the 90s, supermodels like Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss became household names thanks to growing media coverage on TV and in the tabloids. In an era before social media, their rise to supermodel status occurred mainly through magazine covers, runway shows, and appearances in music videos and television shows.
Though today's celebrity model squad often draws comparisons to the "Big Six" of the 90s, these original supermodels were in a league of their own. Here's a list of the famous 90s supermodels every 90s fashion lover should know by heart.
From Kate Moss to Cindy Crawford, these famous 90s supermodels dominated runway shows, magazine covers, and tabloids throughout the decade
"The Trinity" Becomes The "Big Six"
The "Big Six" was a group of elite models in the 1990s: Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista, Kate Moss, Claudia Schiffer, and Christy Turlington. This handful of high-paid models are often considered to be the first ~capital S~ Supermodels.
The "Big Six" actually began with a trio of models—Christy Turlington, Linda Evangelista, and Naomi Campbell— called "The Trinity." The trio were the most in-demand supermodels of the 1980s and early 1990s. After iconic 90s fashion moments like George Michael's Freedom! '90 music video, Peter Lindbergh's 1990 Vogue cover, and Gianni Versace's 1991 Fall runway show, the trio began to grow.
Before the supermodels of the 90s, models could typically be divided into two categories: print and runway. If you were good at one, you probably weren't too great at the other. The "Big Six" defied this notion by doing runway shows, print campaigns, magazine covers, and even music videos.
The "Big Six" were also known for their big paychecks. Linda Evangelista said in 1990 that "we don't wake up for less than $10,000 a day." Rumor has it that Claudia Schiffer earned a cool $15 million in a single year as the face of Chanel.
Like many supermodels today, the "Big Six" gained fame outside of the fashion industry and became pop culture icons in their own right.
Kate Moss
You can't talk about 90s fashion without talking about Kate Moss. Like other members of the "Big Six," she became a pop culture icon and is still considered one of the most prolific supermodels ever.
Moss was discovered in a London airport at age 14. After walking the runways at Perry Ellis and Anna Sui, she quickly became the face of 90s grunge fashion,—thanks in part to "heroin chic" look, party-filled lifestyle, and numerous celebrity boyfriends.
Moss's impact on the modeling industry is somewhat controversial. 80s supermodels had an "Amazonian" body shape: toned abs, long legs, and feminine curves. But when a rail-thin, 5'8" Kate Moss arrived on the scene, things began to change.
By the end of the decade, Moss's boyish, skinny figure was the new norm in the modeling industry. Many critics believe her thin frame is responsible for unrealistic body standards in the modeling industry and a widespread increase in eating disorders. Moss was once quoted saying, "nothing tastes as good as skinny feels"— a statement that has been echoed by anorexics ever since.
Linda Evangelista
Before there was The Rachel, there was The Linda— a tomboyish pixie cut made famous by 90s supermodel Linda Evangelista. In 1988, hairstylist Julien d'Ys cropped the up-and-coming Canadian model's shoulder-length hair into a choppy pixie that changed her career. Years later, she told Vogue that the iconic haircut "quadrupled her rates" and helped skyrocket her to supermodel stardom.
Throughout the 90s, Linda Evangelista's hair made headlines with every cut or color change. Thanks to her ever-changing hair colors, designers and photographers considered her a chameleon. From jet black to platinum blonde to fire engine red, there wasn't a color the supermodel couldn't pull off.
Evangelista is widely regarded as one of the most influential supermodels of all time, having been featured on over 700 magazine covers throughout her career. During the 90s, she was a frequent flyer on the runways of Chanel, Dior, Lanvin, Versace, and more.
Cindy Crawford
Anyone born before the year 2000 knows Cindy Crawford as the hot supermodel from her 1992 Pepsi commercial and sexy Guess Jeans campaigns. Anyone born after probably thinks of her as Kaia Gerber's hot mom.
That's right! Kaia Gerber is second-generation supermodel royalty. FYI, many of today's It-Girls and celebrity models (read: the Hadid Sisters) are too.
Cindy Crawford in a 1992 Pepsi commercial
Thanks to her distinct beauty mark and undeniable sex appeal, Cindy Crawford was one of the biggest supermodels of the 90s. She was considered part of the "Big Six" squad of 90s supermodels and co-hosted House of Style on MTV. Throughout her career, she's been featured on over 500 magazine covers and walked the runways for top designers like Chanel, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, DKNY, Christian Dior, Valentino, and countless more.
Naomi Campbell
British supermodel, Naomi Campbell, was one of the most recognizable supermodels in the 1990s. She was a member of the OG "Trinity" and the "Big Six." Over the years, Campbell has gained quite a reputation for her temper— something viewers of her short-lived modeling competition The Face know all too well.
Besides her fiery temper, Campbell is also known for her famous runway walk. In the 90s, she was dubbed "Queen of the Catwalk" thanks to her signature strut. She's walked for top designers like Alaïa, Versace, Chanel, Oscar de la Renta, Fendi, and Vivienne Westwood throughout her career.
Campbell defied white beauty standards in the modeling industry and was often the only Black model in the runway show, ad campaign, or editorial.
When faced with discrimination. she received overwhelming support from her white allies in the industry. In 1988—after Yves St. Laurent threatened to withdraw advertising— Campbell became the first Black model to appear on the cover of French Vogue. She was also the first Black model on the cover of Time Magazine. Legend has it that Christy Turlington and Linda Evangelista once told Dolce & Gabbana that "if you don't use Naomi, you don't get us."
Christy Turlington
In 2008, famed casting director James Scully declared Christy Turlington was "the greatest model of all time," and that "you could combine every model to this day into one person, and they wouldn't come close." During her career, she's been on over 500 magazine covers and walked for iconic fashion houses like Chanel, Versace, Yves Saint Laurent, Prada, Louis Vuitton, and Marc Jacobs.
Though still one of the most recognizable faces in the world, Turlington turned her focus to her maternal health non-profit, Every Mother Counts, after experiencing childbirth complications during her own pregnancy.
The American model was notorious for her street style and airport outfits. Her signature style was laid-back and tomboyish, consisting largely of Levi's jeans, oversized outerwear, and minimalist basic tees.
Turlington helped popularize countless 90s fashion trends and set the standard for the model-off-duty style seen today.
Claudia Schiffer
German model Claudia Schiffer was scouted at a nightclub in Dusseldorf at age 17. Her luscious blonde hair, plump lips, and striking cheekbones made her the muse of every top designer and a 90s Guess Girl. Throughout the 90s, the blonde bombshell was often compared to Brigette Bardot.
Claudia Schiffer— a member of the famed Big Six— was one of the most prolific models of the century. She was greatly admired by Karl Lagerfeld, who deemed her the official queen of Chanel. She also frequented the runways and campaigns of Balmain, Giorgio Armani, Alberta Ferretti, Escada, Fendi, Max Mara, Dolce & Gabanna, and many, many more. According to Glamour, the supermodel has appeared on over 1000 magazine covers.
Other Famous Supermodels of the 90s
Heidi Klum
Heidi Klum's career began thanks to a magazine ad for a modeling contest. After submitting a few photos "just for fun," Klum won the contest, beating the 30,000 other entries and earning a $300,000 modeling contract in New York. Over the next twenty-something years, the German model would become one of the most recognizable supermodels in the world, with a net worth of over $160 million.
In 1997, Klum became one of the early Victoria Secret Angels. The following year, she graced the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. Her fame skyrocketed in the early 2000s.
Like many other 90s supermodels, Klum used her success in modeling to help launch her media career. Though she's had minor appearances in TV shows and movies, Klum is best known for being a judge on America's Got Talent and the host of the design competitions Project Runway and Making the Cut (which she also executive-produces).
Helena Christensen
Helena Christensen's modeling career was born out of her success in beauty pageants. In 1986, Christensen won Miss Denmark and represented her country in the Miss Universe competition the same year. She quickly caught top designers and photographers' eyes and was soon appearing in campaigns and runway shows for Valentino, Prada, and Chanel.
The Danish-Mexican model's exotic looks made her a favorite for beauty and jewelry campaigns. In 1992, she became the face of Revlon's cosmetics campaign, despite being a self-proclaimed hippie who prefers to go au naturale. Though she continues to work in the fashion industry as a part-time model and photographer, she prefers to focus on her work as an activist and philanthropist.
Shalom Harlow
Canadian model Shalom Harlow was just 15-years-old when she was discovered at a 1989 Cure Concert in Toronto. Thanks to her catlike features, she became one of the most well-known models of the early 1990s. Between 1993 and 1997, she appeared on the cover of American Vogue six different times.
Harlow's walk made her a staple on the runways of Issac Mizrahi, Alexander McQueen, Chanel, Versace, and Marc Jacobs. She also found success in the media industry, where she cohosted House of Style and had a minor role in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.
Kimora Lee Simmons
Kimora Lee Simmons was signed at just 13-years-old by Karl Lagerfeld himself, who called her the "Face of the 21st Century." Throughout the 90s, she walked the runways of top houses like Fendi, Karl Lagerfeld, Valentino, and Yves Saint Laurent.
After marrying entrepreneur and music mogul, Russel Simmons, she turned her career towards fashion design. Her brand Baby Phat grew to be one of the top fashion brands of the early 2000s. Simmons recently announced that she reacquired the Baby Phat brand, and in 2020 she announced the launch of a Baby Phat beauty line.
Beverly Peele
Los Angeles native Beverly Peele began modeling for small brands at age 12, and was soon gracing the covers of Mademoiselle, Elle, Vogue, and Cosmopolitan. Peele was one of the many 90s models who also starred in music videos. Her most notable music video appearance was in George Michael's Thierry Mugler-styled Too Funky.
By the peak of her career in the early 90s, Peele frequently walked the runway for Alaïa, Commes de Garçons, Donna Karen, Ralph Lauren, and Versace. By the time she retired from fashion in the mid-90s, she'd been on more than 250 covers.
Eva Herzigova
Eva Herzigova was first discovered at a Prague modeling contest she entered at age 16. In 1994, she skyrocketed to fame with her iconic "Hello Boys" ad for Wonderbra. Her blonde bombshell look also earned her a place in Guess Jeans campaigns, Victoria Secret fashion shows and catalogs, and the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.
Throughout the decade, the Czech supermodel walked the runways of famed 90s designers like Chanel, Herve Leger, Thierry Mugler, and Versace. Now, over 20 later, she's still modeling for top names like Bottega Veneta, Etro, and Max Mara.
Alek Wek
While there were already several Black supermodels on the fashion scene in the late 80s and early 90s, none were quite like Alek Wek.
While other Black supermodels in the 1990s— like Tyra Banks and Naomi Campbell— had long hair and light skin, Wek sported a buzz cut and had a darker skin tone than most mainstream models of color. In 1997, at just 19 years old, Wek won MTV's Model of the Year award. During the pivotal year of her career, she also made history as the first Black model on the cover of Elle.
Throughout her modeling career, she's remained vocal about the discrimination she faced in the modeling industry and her experience as a refugee. Her Ted Talk about growing up in South Sudan is inspiring to watch. In challenging the conventional beauty standards of the 90s and using her platform to support humanitarian efforts, The South Sudanese Brit broke countless stereotypes and paved the way for African models of the future.
Kristen McMenamy
Kristen McMenamy's androgynous looks made her one of the most unconventional beauties of the 90s— despite her former modeling agent encouraging her to get plastic surgery early in her career. Though naturally a redhead, she is best known for her jet-black bob and striking angular features.
Once a small-town Pennsylvania girl, McMenamy was soon walking the runways of Chanel, Versace, and Commes des Garçons. Her unique looks made her a favorite of fashion photographers like Steven Meisel, Richard Avedon, and Juergen Teller. At her wedding, Karl Lagerfeld walked her down the aisle.
Tatjana Patitz
Though German model Tatjana Patitz is not as well-known as household names like Kate and Naomi, she was one of the OG supermodels of the 1990s. She was a frequent subject of famous 90s fashion photographer, Peter Lindbergh. Her striking features and natural beauty were perfectly captured by his signature black-and-white style.
Patitz is also known for starring in George Michael's Freedom! '90 music video and being on the January 1990 cover of British Vogue alongside members of the "Big Six."
Tyra Banks
Before Tyra Banks became a media mogul, she was busy breaking down barriers for Black models in the fashion industry. Banks was the first Black model to sign a contract with Victoria Secret and the first Black model on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.
Though well-known in the fashion industry for her powerful runway walk and iconic smize, her work in television brought her mainstream success in the 2000s. Over the years, she's had countless appearances in TV shows, movies, and music videos. She's best known for America's Next Top Model (which ran for a remarkable 24 seasons) and The Tyra Banks Show.
To learn more about these influential models of the 1990s, we recommend listening to the podcast In Vogue: The 1990s, and watching the upcoming docuseries on Apple+ titled The Supermodels.
