What Makes a Supermodel?

[happycanadian]

LOLLLLLLL.


Wikipedia can be edited by anyone. Makeupjunkie probably typed that. hahaa.

 

[MakeUpJunkie]

Actually it wasnt me! I am really surprised it wasnt me! But I do agree!

 

[happycanadian]

it also says in the "Supermodels" page there that IMG states there are 2 kinds of supermodels: high fashion supermodels and commercial supermodels.

regardless, i think like everyone else has already said, the only TRUE supermodels are the ones for whom the term was coined, Linda, Naomi, Cindy, Christy & Claudia.

but Kate & Gisele & Eva & Stephanie & Karolina i would also add to the list, since they're all well-known celebrities, as well as having done everything in both the high fashion and commercial modelling worlds.

Tyra, Heidi, Rebecca, Laetitia, Christie, etc. all commercial supermodels, but not as true to the original definition as the previously listed ones.

 

[lilykarebare]

A supermodel is not definable. A supermodel has the X-factor that gives her the air of intrigue and allure that other models just don't have.
I think there are several factors which must all be present in order for a model to become a supermodel:
1) Extraordinary beauty: A woman can be beautiful, but not extraordinary. Supermodels have intriguing faces, not just attractive ones. Something about a "Super" should stick out of a crowd of beautiful women.
2) Passion for fashion: Supermodels are known for loving clothes as much as the designers do. For example, Kate Moss: she makes no secret of her shopaholic tendencies, and her style icon status was sealed a long time ago.
3) Intelligence: A stupid model just won't make it. She won't pick the right employers or agency, and she won't pick the smart contracts.

 

[lilykarebare]

p.s. Tyra is NOT a supermodel. I knew of her as a model, but I only really recognized her in the public arena when she came out with ANTM.
p.p.s. Kate Moss is most definitely a supermodel. She is arguably more recognized at this point than any other model. Most people have no clue who the heck KK is, let alone who she models for.

 

[MakeUpJunkie]

Well said lilykarebare! Although before ANTM, Tyra was known for swimsuit modeling and VS, which shouldnt really be the only thing. The real supers modeled high fashion as well as being commercial.

 

[Deleted member 1957]

there's really no need to form an argument for Kate. she's undoubtably a supermodel. same with Gisele.

i added KK to the list because she's the only one who's as close. She has had a huge amount of success in the high fashion world. she's been on every runway and in all the important campaigns. she has a ridiculous amount of covers, spanning from all of the Vogues, to the international W's and Bazaar's, Elle, etc etc.

and though she probably isn't a household name in the same sense as Gisele or Kate, she certainly has exposure. she is covered by magazines when she attends events. she was invited to the Oscars and was on numerous "best dressed" lists. plus, she's the only one of the models that's regularly on shows like Jay Leno, Conan O'Brien, even Oprah. she's been tagged "the next supermodel" by everyone from Anna Wintour to Marc Jacobs, etc.

Aaand, to top it all off --- it was reported in Arena's annual "Victoria's Secret Backstage" special issue that she's signed a new deal with VS for $25million, which will undoubtably put her in the same 'household name' status as any Victoria's Secret gal could be.

its about recognition. if you go to a news media photo site like Getty Images, you'll see over a thousand pictures of Karolina, compared to very little of someone like Daria or Natalia Vodianova. i'm not for a moment trying to suggest that Getty Images decides who's a supermodel and who isn't --- but it is a clear measure of public exposure.

she would be the Claudia Schiffer of the new pack. the blonde babe. not known for being a demanding diva. everyone who works with her has NOTHING but good things to say, a fantastic body that lends itself to the HC runways, and also to bikinis, etc etc.

add onto that an appearance on th people magazines most beautiful and a GQ cover

 

[eword]

its about recognition. if you go to a news media photo site like Getty Images, you'll see over a thousand pictures of Karolina, compared to very little of someone like Daria or Natalia Vodianova. i'm not for a moment trying to suggest that Getty Images decides who's a supermodel and who isn't --- but it is a clear measure of public exposure.

i couldn't agree more. the whole supermodel daria thing is clearly something created 'from above', by her agency and lancome trying to exploit through interviews her success as a model inside the strict boundaries of fashion world . there's no substantial popularity below and most of all there's no real interest by daria herself.

and about the getty image, not only there're very few pics of her, but she doesn't even get her name written under the image! look at the pics of the event of the beginning of may where she was photographed along with kate moss and testino!

 

[kiss&tell]

lilykarebear

Thankyou for the advice. =]

 

[_hannah]

Just wanted to know.... what really made success ( celebrity if you want ) to Naomi because i think it's not just to her model status....

 

[amphrosyne]

3) Intelligence: A stupid model just won't make it. She won't pick the right employers or agency, and she won't pick the smart contracts.

Sign for IMG. Done B)

Pity I missed all the action from the last few pages

 

[OMIFAN9]

Just wanted to know.... what really made success ( celebrity if you want ) to Naomi because i think it's not just to her model status....

She's a great groundbreaking model period, arguably the best runway walker ever. It's her work & resilience(she doesn't quit,takes care of looks,smart) she's got the important covers,photos,runway shows,etc. Being recognized by her peers and the public. Being a muse to many from photographers to designers old & new David Bailey,Meisel,Lindbergh,Ritts to Versace,Alaia,Lagerfeld,etc. And of course being the model successful black model, she's holds the record for being the most covered black star. Her firsts are numerous, which make her an icon to the minorities & the masses. And it doesn't hurt that she has personality(same with a Christy T and many of the Supers)you just don't ignore, like them or not. But she was a success before any drama. Outside of modeling, although she has things like being on the #1 Cosby show her real drive & work is dedicated to the modeling business. To make it at her level for 20 years,no breaks,just inspired work says something about you & your abilities simply B/C No One Has Done It black,white,whatever at a high level. That's a tremendous Credit to her. I think people should really look at the work, not the drama or those who just flap off at the mouth "Well I did this...." no names, she doesn't do that simply b/c she has nothing to prove(same with most of the real Supers), not that she can't set the record straight,brag,etc.

 

[OMIFAN9]

The things that make a girl Super and define a generation, A photo for the ages(1990). Photo Crediteter Lindbergh

 

[lilykarebare]

lilykarebear

Thankyou for the advice. =]

You're welcome.

I hate to say it, but I don't think that the supermodel era will ever return. It may be repeated, but it won't be the same. Supermodels as celebrities was inspired because of the opening of the fashion world to the public. Models were of greater importance than actresses for the first time.

Now, though, the upper echelons of fashion have closed off. People don't know who the great designers in the fashion world are anymore. They know LV or Fendi, but only for knock-off bags. I think many of the powers that be prefer the underexposure, as it means they can charge more for their clothing, and gives them more of an exclusive appeal.

 

[amphrosyne]

^ I think it will as most things are cyclical. I dont want the supermodels to return though

 

[stsgroup14]

Future supermodels are Karolina Kurkova, Isabeli Fontana, Daria Werbowy, Liya Kebede, and may be one of the doll-faced girls possibly Gemma

 

[happycanadian]

Isabeli has 2 children already. i think that she's certainly had a tremendously successful run at the modelling game. she's done alot of great work with many fabulous photographers, as well as commercial things like SI and VS. but, if she hasn't achieved the "Supermodel" recognition already, i doubt it's coming. she doesn't seem to want it. a Supermodel has to be a great spokesperson, and Isabeli, though great, doesn't seem to have the right personality for the part (in contrast to someone like Gisele or KK). Daria, as i said, i could definitely see it in her future. Liya, well she's sort of boring. there has to be adventure for the public to actually care. Gemma is like a little child. a Supermodel has to be womanly. Karolina i think has all the makings of a true Super, and we'll see in the next year how much more exposure she gets.

 

[lilykarebare]

Note: I said that supermodels would be repeated, but that it wouldn't be the same as before. Fashion is just not the same, and neither is the world of celebrities.

 

[Trista]

Exactly!!!

I don't think that there will be another Super for quite awhile because of the way that celebrity culture is at this time.

I like the IMG definition of "fashion" supers and "commercial" supers. These days when you have to be a celeb to get a cover, you can't combine the two as much. One day, I hope for a model who will combine the two again and dominate not only the fashion world but the rest of the world as well.

About Daria, yes I find it to be a bit perpetuated. I have the Vogue Australia that she had the cover for and it seemed that she didn't have as much interest in being a "super".

 

[amphrosyne]

Depends on your definition of supermodel. For some people a supermodel is just a very successful supermodel so Gemma, Daria, etc are all supermodels.

The notion that "supermodels" must do both commercial and fashion modeling stems from the past a la the Trinity and from stupid shows like ANTM. Basically this means "supermodels" are in essence models who have turned into celebrities. I dont think this would happen anytime soon not only because of the publics reaction but also the designers. They seem adverse to letting very well known "celebrity-status" models on their runway (correct me if I'm wrong) so most models that cross over into the celebrity realm become celebrities, movie stars, former models, etc.

There are too many definitions and so many here have seem to have accepted the one that describes the Trinity. I'd prefer to define supermodels as just highly successful fashion models. The other stuff like personality, celebrity status, commercial modeling are just superfluous to the definition and applicable to some in the past.