The World's Top-Earning Models

[khyrk]

1. Gisele Bündchen

$25 Million

Though she's no longer the body behind Victoria's Secret, the 28-year-old added Rampage to her list of campaigns this year. She continues to promote Versace, True Religion jeans, Dior and Ebel watches. Bündchen landed her second Vanity Fair cover amid extraordinary press attention following her private marriage to football beau Tom Brady in February.


2. Heidi Klum

$16 Million

While still a successful model at 35 with three kids, the majority of Klum's earnings are driven by her TV and endorsement career. Though she's currently expecting baby No. 4 with husband Seal, Klum remains a member of the Victoria's Secret Angel entourage as well as host of Project Runway and Germany's Next Top Model. The German beauty also designs a line of Birkenstock sandals and has endorsement deals with Diet Coke, Volkswagen, McDonald's and LG. This past year, she came out with her own skincare line, In An Instant.




3. Kate Moss

$8.5 Million

The return of lost contracts and the success of her Topshop line marked a successful year for Moss.The 35-year-old icon has been attacked for getting old and heavy, but regardless, she's enjoyed remarkable success in the last year. She's the face of Versace, Longchamp and David Yurman, among others. Her line for British retailer Topshop, which moved stateside earlier this year, continues to do well.




4. Adriana Lima

$8 Million

The new icon of Victoria's Secret continues her rise to the top of her industry thanks to her mass sex appeal.Though her Maybelline contract will lapse later this year, Lima continues to climb to the top of her career thanks to the support of Victoria's Secret. The Brazilian bombshell got her start as the winner of the Ford model competition "Supermodel of the Year." She also appeared on the small screen last September with a guest appearance on Ugly Betty. This month, she announced she's expecting a baby with her husband, basketball player Marko Jaric.




5. Doutzen Kroes

$6 Million

Though her contract with DeBeers lapsed, the 24-year-old promptly replaced it with a campaign for jeans company Seven For All Mankind.The Dutch model known for her lips was named the latest Victoria's Secret angel last fall. Doutzen is also the face of cosmetic company L'Oreal and the fragrance Calvin Klein Eternity.




5. Alessandra Ambrosio

$6 Million

This Victoria's Secret angel returned to the catwalk just three months after giving birth.Another Brazilian model on the list, Ambrosio first made her name as the spokesmodel for Victoria's Secret PINK line and is now one of the brand's angels. Last fall, the 28-year-old gave birth to her first child. Only three months later, she appeared on the catwalk for the VS runway show. She is also on contract with European retail outlet C&A and Mexican department store Liverpool.




7. Natalia Vodianova

$5.5 Million

The new hire of French lingerie company Etam still works for mother Russia through her charitable foundation.Vodianova is one of the clearest examples of rags to riches: She was raised in an impoverished family in Russia before becoming an international model. In addition to her work for Calvin Klein fragrance Guerlain and jeweler Jacob & Co., the 27-year-old signed a three-year contract with Etam. She is the brand's ambassador and will also design a collection each season. She runs the Naked Heart Foundation, a charity that raises money to provide playgrounds in Russia.




8. Daria Werbowy

$4.5 Million

The model who started her career with a modeling contest victory is now the face of major brands from Lancome to Louis Vuitton. The Polish-born Canadian is known for her doe eyes, which are the charm for campaigns for Balmain, H&M, Vogue Eyewear and Roberto Cavalli. Last June, Werbowy was inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame along with musician K.D. Lang and filmmaker James Cameron.




9. Miranda Kerr

$3 Million

This Aussie model is best known for being a Victoria's Secret angel, though her profile is on the rise.
The first Australian addition to the cast of angels for Victoria's Secret got her break as the face of Maybelline. Last year, she signed a contract with XOXO. Earlier this year, she lent her legendary dimples to help those affected by the Australian bush fires as a participant in the Australia Unites fundraiser.




10. Carolyn Murphy

$3 Million

The sole American on the list, the 35-year-old maintains her place on the list thanks to a lucrative Estée Lauder contract.Murphy has become an iconic American face. At 35, her Playboy and Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue days may be behind her, at least for now, but she is still incredibly successful as the longtime face of Estée Lauder. As well, she has valuable contracts with Banana Republic and Lord & Taylor.




11. Emanuela De Paula

$2.5 Million

Nicknamed the "next Gisele," De Paula is the newest addition to our list.The biracial Brazilian model has a lucrative contract with British retailer Next, a contract that once belonged to Alessandra Ambrosio. She's also a prominent new face of Victoria's Secret.




Forbes.com

[khyrk]

Less than two years ago, Claudia Schiffer declared that the age of the supermodel was over. Magazine covers and beauty contracts had become the province of celebrities. The industry's newest generation had not quite attained the international, first-name basis fame that Naomi, Cindy and Christy had pioneered.

A lot has changed in two years. While fashion magazines and retail brands still market their wares with stars from music and movies, models have moved off the runway in equal measure, expanding their brands into fashion, entertainment and philanthropy. The age of the multi-hyphenate model has replaced the age of the supermodel, giving the top girls more earning power than ever before.

A perfect example is the No. 2 earner on our list, Heidi Klum. While still a successful model at the age of 35 after having three kids, the majority of Klum's earnings are driven by her TV and endorsement career. Klum remains a member of the Victoria's Secret angel entourage as well as host of Project Runway and Germany's Next Top Model. The German beauty also designs a line Birkenstock sandals and has endorsement deals with Diet Coke, Volkswagen ( VLKAF.PK - news - people ), McDonald's and LG. Last year, she came out with her own skincare line, In An Instant.

Returning at No. 1 this year is Gisele Bündchen, who earned an estimated $25 million in the last year from numerous campaigns including Versace, True Religion jeans, Dior ( CHDRF.PK - news - people ) and Ebel watches. The Brazilian model has rare range--from high fashion to mass market--and measured impact on the success of the brands she represents. She also has her own Brazilian shoe line and tabloid fame on par with movie stars.

The models on our list were ranked according to estimated earnings from June 2008 to June 2009.

The modeling industry was hard-hit by the economic crisis. Prominent fashion labels canceled or downgraded their runway shows, leaving models hoping for a break with fewer opportunities. Declining revenues at major beauty and retail companies left agents with less leverage to bargain for their clients.

But, the economy has increased the value of the versatile yet trademark beauty of those at the top of the industry. "After a few years of mixed results where the sole obsession was attaching the biggest name or celebrity to your brand, companies are searching for that face that won't muddle their message," says Chris Gay, president of Marilyn Agency, which represents Adriana Lima. "The models that possess that beauty are the faces everyone wants right now, but that's a rare beauty."


http://www.forbes.com/2009/05/27/mos...ia-models.html

[Mchunu]

omg this list NEVER changes

[Trista]

Yep, and predictably you're always going to have the VS girls in the mix.

[khyrk]

i hope they make a list of just HF girls in them

[Mchunu]

^i don't think they'll do that.

[Simera]

The list changes sometimes. Wasn't Isabeli and Stam on the list last year?

[Filipe]

They made the list so late this year. it's basically the same as last year's. The only surprise for me is Emanuela de Paula, VS payed her really well

[modela]

im suprised valentina wasnt included , i mean isnt she still the face of Ralph Lauren

[Littleathquakes]

I agree about Gisele. No one gives her any flack for walking Victoria's Secret's runway. But Adriana Lima, Angela Lindvall, or any other model who's walked for high fashion designers, and all of a sudden people think they're not high fashion anymore, that they've gone commercial.

[TREVOFASHIONISTO]

as long VS is paying them that
much..its not gonna change

[Urban Stylin]

the moral of the story kids.....If you are a model...aspire for VS..and mayb a beauty contract and ur set for life!

[Filipe]

^that's for sure but a very few can make it big & I mean, you don't need to be that very good looking, having a very good body is the principal ... but what if VS didn't exist then it would be completely different, right ? there wouldn't have these models that before going to VS were earning a few bucks & then VS made them millionaires in a blink of an eye.

[Urban Stylin]

very true, its strange that models like sasha pivarova, isabelli fontana and raquel zimmerman nab lots of high fashion contracts and shows but they never appear on these lists.

[Filipe]

^yes but those are HF models that don't do VS except Isabelli but she only does the show, there should exist a balance but I guess there isn't because VS is extremely rich & basically throws money to these models. It's just amazing that VS is just a lingerie brand & for example Chanel is one of the biggest HF brands & VS is way more richer than Chanel.