Supermodels: The Next Generation! While the 90s era stars are still going strong there is a whole new crop of top models pushing into the public sphere and changing the industry as we know it. This group of social media savvy, creative and conscious beauties is redefining what it means to be a top model. Covers and campaigns are still a part of the equation, but they don’t tell the whole story. Social media impact, media attention both in and outside of fashion and the support of major photographers all factor in when separating the models from the supermodels.
Some of the important factors looked at for this list include:
- Media presence in and outside of the fashion industry and/or significant Social media following
- Consistent top tier editorial work with high profile photographers & stylists
- Must have at least one recent long term contract with fashion or beauty brand
Adriana Lima
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Photo: Luigi & Iango for Vogue Espana August 2019
As the premier face of Victoria's Secret Adriana has come to define sexy for an entire generation. Ask any red blooded male on earth if he knows who Adriana Lima is and you will be rewarded with an enthusiastic response! The Brazilian bombshell is not just an industry favorite, she's a fan favorite and has more than earned the title of super.
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Anja Rubik
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Ph. Anja Rubik for Vogue Polska December 2020
Model, Entrepreneur, and Activist, what can’t Polish beauty and one of our favorite models, Anja Rubik do? A Saint Laurent campaign favorite, the socially conscious model brings her fierce nature on and off the set. Rubik founded NGO Sexedpl, as a way to spread awareness about sex education and has been spearheading the movement of reproductive rights and sexual liberation for women in Poland.
Ashley Graham
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Ph: Justin Ervin for Harper's Bazaar UK July 2020 Cover
Top model meets stunning bombshell! Ashley Graham has demanded the respect of the industry's lack of inclusivity and was one of the recent industry leaders in the push for inclusion. By nabbing monumental British Vogue and American Vogue covers with US and UK Harper's Bazaar, Allure and countless other covers; and adding editorial spreads in top magazines, ads for Dolce & Gabbana, H&M and Mango, the support by Sports Illustrated and the cherry on top Revlon contract, her presence has completely transformed the fashion and modeling industry.
Bella Hadid
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Ph: Steven Meisel for Versace S/S 19
Bella has been on every one’s lips, creating an undeniable lane all on her own with brands like Alexander Wang, Calvin Klein, Michael Kors, Moschino, & Versace. She has a long list of international Vogue covers, a Dior beauty contact, numerous runway appearances and not to mention a formidable social media following.
Cara Delevingne
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Ph. Steven Meisel for British Vogue June 2018
Social media superstar Cara Delevingne is one of the world’s most talked about, tweeted, Instagrammed and Vine-ed people on earth, but her true appeal lies in her effervescent personality. With an energy that puts most others to shame Cara brings vigor and vitality to every image she’s in. Is it any wonder then that countless insider clamor to work with her - Katie Grand, Christopher Bailey, Meisel, Mert & Marcus, McDean and Testino all count themselves fans of Cara and with millions of web users co-signing the Delevingne appeal they’re in good company.
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Doutzen Kroes
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Ph: Inez and Vinoodh for i-D Spring 2018
Victoria's Secret, L'Oreal, Miu Miu and every human with a pair of eyes and a pulse can't be wrong; Doutzen is the face of a generation. The meteoric rise of Ms. Kroes can be summed up in one word - destiny.
Fei Fei Sun
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Photo: Steven Meisel for Max Mara Prefall 2018
With a new contract with Estee Lauder and total following reaching 4.5 million on Weibo, Instagram, and Twitter combined, it’s safe to say that Fei Fei Sun has reached the acclaimed level of New Super. It's hard to believe that not too long ago Asian faces in fashion were few and far between - but, thanks to girls like Fei Fei ushering in a new beauty ideal, the Chinese model is now as ubiquitous as the Russian, Brazilian, or Scandinavian faces of plenty. With almost 10 years in the game, her romantic dreaminess and strong style aesthetic makes her not only a perennial favorite but one of the defining faces of fashion. Working at the highest levels since she started, there's no denying her iconic grace and beauty.
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Gigi Hadid
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Ph: Alasdair McLellan for Vogue Italia July 2019
With a brand that has now transcended the fashion industry to become a household name, Gigi’s multimedia influence is almost unfathomable. This social media starlet has changed the game — and in fact, has become the game.
Joan Smalls
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Ph. Luigi & Iango for Vogue Japan August 2018
Hard work, dedication and a face that is pure glamour, as a top model Joan Smalls as excelled in every arena. Whether she’s dancing alongside Beyonce in a music video, or presenting a serene visage in ads for Estee Lauder Joan exudes confidence and charisma. It’s impossible to take your eyes off the stunning Joan and with her non-stop schedule you’re sure to see her looking back at you from a high profile cover or ad for Gucci, Missoni or any of her other regular clients.
Jourdan Dunn
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Ph: Cuneyt Akeroglu for Vogue Arabia July 2017
Fashion darling Jourdan is a haute multi-tasker if there ever was one. With covers for Vogue Italia, British Vogue, i-D and American Vogue Jourdan has risen to the very top and frequent campaign work for a diverse set for brands from ultra-luxury labels like Balmain and Burberry, to high street faves Topshop and Express prove that she appeals to all sides of the market. Add in her popular cooking series ‘Well Dunn’, beauty contract for Maybelline, collaboration with HTC phones, and role as a spokesperson for sickle-cell awareness and you have a truly well-rounded star.
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Karlie Kloss
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Ph. Jamie Toppin for Forbes December 2017
Karlie Kloss represents the gold standard of modeling - a girl with the look, the poise and the drive to take things to the next level. With bookings as pristine as they come Kloss has graced the cover of the worlds top magazines, revived House of Style, earned a place as a Victoria’s Secret Angel and still finds time to show up on set with fresh baked cookies. The St. Louis super makes it all look effortless and in the process she’s become a household name and next generation icon of All-American chic.
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Kendall Jenner
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Ph. Mert & Marcus for American Vogue April 2018
Kendall signified the beginning of a new modeling era and has since risen to the greatest heights of apex influencers. Her industry ubiquity, celebrity status and staggering social media standing means she’s her own brand-name capable of calling the shots.
Laetitia Casta
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Ph: Philip Gay for Air France Madame December 2017
Laetitia Casta, the ultimate French beauty remains relevant, radiant and completely in demand. No matter the season, La Casta stands as an undeniable icon of beauty in and out of the fashion industry. How many catwalkers can claim they were chosen to be the emblem of an entire nation? In addition to her tenure as Marianne, Laetitia has also served as muse for everyone to the late great Yves Saint Laurent, to Jean Paul Gaultier and Karl Lagerfeld.
Lara Stone
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Photo: Jamie Hawkesworth for Alexander McQueen S/S 19
And they said it would never happen in our lifetime... namely a model who is a cultural sensation...But Ms. Stone is that rare model who sells not only campaign product but moves covers, inspires designers and confirms that a compelling personality makes fashion all that more vivid and dynamic.
Liu Wen
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Ph: Ben Toms for Vogue China March 2018
As China’s biggest supermodel Liu Wen is in a class by herself. With her status as Estee Lauder’s first Asian face and consistent with fashion’s finest designers Liu Wen has established herself as a fixture on and off the runways. Her innate charm and graceful beauty make her a favorite of American Vogue, W, V and countless others.
Liya Kebede
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Ph: David Sims for Alberta Ferretti F/W 18
In a testament to her rare and inimitable beauty, Liya Kebede is high in the fashion cycle again with her Balenciaga FW11 campaign slot and her L'oreal Paris contract.
Miranda Kerr
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Ph. Raf Stahelin for The Edit Sept 2017
Miranda's winning combination of sensuality and sweetness have made her an in demand commodity on and off the runway. Her continued work for mega-brands like Swarovski, H&M and Mango means she's on the corporate radar, while select appearances on the runway for Chanel and Stella McCartney keep Ms. Kerr ultra-exclusive. Next up for the dimpled beauty - full-fledged moguldom via her popular organic skincare line, Kora.
Natalia Vodianova
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Ph. Mert & Marcus for Vogue Italia December 2017
The supermodel with the fastest rise to the top of the industry is indisputably Natalia Vodionova, converting the cachet of a Calvin Klein contract into full-on celebrity via her Vanity Fair profiles and Only Girl covers.
Natasha Poly
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Photo: Inez and Vinoodh for Vogue Paris November 2018
Natasha Poly is a red-hot force to reckoned with. An unmistakable strut on the runway has had designers head over heels ever since her debut in 2004. Since then she’s clinched an interminable stream of campaigns and top glossies: fronting Vogue Paris alone eight times. It’s safe to say the industry is more than smitten with the Russian goddess.
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