Supermodel
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A supermodel is a highly-paid top fashion model who is known world-wide for modelling work in high fashion and commercial modeling, usually for top fashion designers and labels. "Supermodels" often have a background in haute couture modeling. The term is usually applied to female models, but in the 1990s the term began to be applied to some male models.
Characteristics of a supermodel
Since the term itself is a media creation, there is no set standard of what achievements merit the title; moreover, standards change over time. However, the elite models who are given the appellation of "supermodel" often share similar traits. These top model tend to have consistent and concurrent work in both high fashion and commercial modeling. Supermodels have often modeled for many of the top fashion designers and labels of their time, which in the 2000s include such names as Gucci, Emilio Pucci, Karl Lagerfeld, Anna Sui, Victoria's Secret, Valentino, Versace.
Supermodels often work as models in both high fashion and commercial modeling. They are the most highly paid models, earning $30,000 to $50,000 per day for modelling shoots. Linda Evangelista once infamously said, "I don't get out of bed for less than $10,000." [2]
Supermodels may be referred to as sex symbols in the media. Supermodels are sometimes able to parlay their celebrity into product endorsement deals and acting careers.[1] The supermodel lifestyle is rich and glamorous.
Female supermodels
Origins of the term
The term "supermodel" took hold in the popular culture of the 1980s and 1990s. However, according to Model: The Ugly Business of Beautiful Women by Michael Gross, the first known use of the term "supermodel" was in the 1940s by an agent named Clyde Matthew Dessner in a "how-to" book he wrote about modeling. Amongst those who could be considered supermodels by the standards of the 1940s were Cathee Dahmen, Dorian Leigh, Dovima, and Anita Colby.
Lisa Fonssagrives is often credited as the first supermodel. Fonssagrives was in nearly most of the major fashion and general interest magazines from the 1930s to the 1950s, including Town and Country, Life, Vogue, the original Vanity Fair, and Time magazine. Vogue's relationship with Fonssagrives enabled the magazine to have a major influence on modeling.
In 1968, an article in Glamour magazine described Twiggy, Cheryl Tiegs, Veruschka, Jean Shrimpton and fifteen other top models as "supermodels". The term supermodel gained currency in the 1960s by analogy with Andy Warhol's "Superstars". Another supermodel of the 60s was Lauren Hutton.
The "rise" of the supermodel
In the 1970s, some models became more prominent as their names became more recognizable to the general public. These models includedJanice Dickinson, who claims to have coined the term "supermodel", Cheryl Tiegs, and Christie Brinkley.
The prominence of supermodels increased in the 1980s, which models such as Claudia Schiffer, Paulina Porizkova, and Cindy Crawford. By the 1990s, which has been called "era of the supermodels", supermodels were prominient in the media. During this period, Linda Evangelista, Naomi Campbell, and Christy Turlington were highly-visible models. [2] Beverly Peele, who was once nicknamed "Baby Naomi", graced over 250 magazine covers and was first black model on the cover of Mademoiselle Magazine in 1989.
In the 1990s, Kate Moss, a supermodel with a slim, emaciated look became a popular model. Moss's appearance came to be called the "waif" or "heroin chic" look, which was prominent during the later 1990s.
The "end" of the supermodel era
Since the late 90s, supermodel popularity had faded. The decline of the supermodel era may be nigh, due to the increased use of actresses, pop singers, or other celebrities on the covers of fashion magazines and ad campaigns. [3] [4]
A number of prominent models of the late 1990s and early 21st century are referred to as supermodels, including Laetitia Casta, Gisele Bundchen, Heidi Klum, Tyra Banks, Adriana Lima, Liya Kebede, Natalia Vodianova, and Alessandra Ambrosio.
A new fashion icon rose in the 2000s. Gemma Ward's baby doll-like look inspired a new craze in fashion. Fashion designer Lazaro Hernandez tells Teen Vogue (Feb. 06), "She looked like no one else at the time. She was this alien, and fashion is always looking for newness." Her look became the popular new look among models. It has inspired a new generation of baby doll-like models such as Vlada Roslyakova, Heather Marks, and Jessica Stam. [5]
Male supermodels
During the 1990s, some male models were referred to as supermodels, such as Marcus Schenkenberg, Tyson Beckford, Mark Vanderloo, Alex Lundqvist, Michael Bergin, and Will Chalker.
See also
References
- ^ New Model Army by Kate Patrick, The Scotsman May 21, 2005 onlineretrieved July 7, 2006
- ^ We Three Queens by Alex Williams, New York online retrieved July 7, 2006
- ^ Not Just Another Pretty Face: The End of the Supermodel Era by Hilary Rowland, Hilary Magazine online retrieved July 7, 2006
- ^ Death of the Supermodels by C. L. Johnson, Urban Models October 21, 2002 online retrieved July 13, 2006
- ^ "Who's that Girl?", "Teen Vogue February 2006 [1] retrieved August 17, 2006