TOP MODELS by RUNWAY MAGAZINE ®
The Invention of the Human Mannequin
Before models existed, 14th-century European couturiers used miniature fashion dolls to show garments to royal clients.
The profession changed entirely in 1853 in Paris. Charles Frederick Worth, widely considered the father of haute couture, asked his wife, Marie Vernet Worth, to wear his designs for prospective clients. She became the world’s first “house model” or mannequin (the French term adopted by the British in the 1880s).
Etymology: Who Said It First?
While the industry likes to credit Janice Dickinson with inventing the term “supermodel” in the 1970s, print records tell a much older, slightly more cynical story.
The ‘Sober’ Origins
1891
The earliest recorded use appears in The Strand Magazine. Artist Henry Stacy Marks noted that models who drank too much would fall asleep mid-session, adding: “Then I have had what I call the ‘super’ model.”
The Post-War Rise
1942
The word “super-model” enters the English lexicon in a professional fashion context, though it remained industry jargon rather than public vocabulary.
The Celebrity Shift
1965
The term makes an unexpected appearance in pop culture and legal texts (such as American Jurisprudence Trials), showing that the archetype of the universally known, glamorous model was crystallizing in the public imagination.
The Evolution to Fame
For the first half of the 20th century, even the most successful models remained mostly anonymous outside of elite fashion circles.
- The Pioneers (1940s–1950s): Lisa Fonssagrives (who graced over 200 Vogue covers) and Bettina Graziani became the first to command massive fees and genuine name recognition within the industry.
- The Brands (1970s–1980s): Margaux Hemingway landed a historic million-dollar contract with Fabergé in 1975. Suddenly, figures like Christie Brinkley, Gia Carangi, and Elle Macpherson weren’t just faces in editorials; they were endorsing global products, entering pop culture gossip columns, and turning their names into intellectual property.
The 1990s Explosion: “The Big Six”
The term “Supermodel” or “Top Model” achieved its ultimate global status in January 1990, ignited by Peter Lindbergh’s iconic British Vogue cover featuring Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington, and Tatjana Patitz.
When Gianni Versace put these women on his runway to lip-sync George Michael’s Freedom! ’90, the transition was complete. They became global icons who eclipsed the clothing they wore, paving the way for the multi-million dollar careers and international media franchises we see today.
Daughter of Mohammed Hadid and Yolanda Foster, Isabella Khair Hadid, born on October 9, 1996 in Los Angeles, is a model and American media personality of Dutch-Palestinian origin.
Jelena Noura Hadid, younger sister of Bella Hadid born on April 23, 1995 in Los Angeles
International model Kendall Jenner, Born on Nov. 3, 1995 in Los Angeles, also featured on “Keeping Up With the Kardashians,” walked the for the 20th annual Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in New York Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2015
Taylor Hill – Moschino Show 2017 at Milan Fashion Week in Italy
Taylor Marie Hill, more commonly Taylor Hill is an American model. Born on March 5, 1996, in Palatine, Illinois. She belongs to the Victoria’s Secret Angels Circle since 2015.
Marjan Jonkman is a Dutch model born on Sint Nicolaasga (Little town in the north of the Netherlands) that has walked the runways for Gucci, Kenzo and Giambattista Valli. Her look books include the 2016 look books for Missoni, Bottega Veneta, Elie Saab, Giambattista Valli, MSGM, Derek Lam, Diesel and BreeLayne.
Photo : Getty/Dimitrios Kambouris
Jasmine Tookes is an American model born on February 1, 1991 in Huntington Beach. In 2014, she became the muse of Victoria’s Secret’s new fragrance, “Scandalous” and made the cover of one of the brand’s catalogs. She takes part in the Victoria’s Secret Swim Special and their annual parade. In 2015, she is one of the new Angels of Victoria’s Secret. In 2016, she is nominated by the brand to wear the “Fantasy Bra”, a throat whose value is estimated at three million dollars
Lineisy Montero Feliz, known as Lineisy Montero, born on February 8, 1996 at Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic is known for her work with Prada. She is also known for her natural Afro hair Models.com proclaimed that she “dominated” the S/S 2016 fashion week season as she walked in 68 different shows including Balenciaga, Marc Jacobs, Oscar de la Renta, Roberto Cavalli, Versace and Celine.
Lineisy Montero walks the runway at the Oscar De La Renta Spring 2016 fashion show during New York Fashion Week on September 15, 2015 in New York City.
Photo : Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images
Lily-Rose Depp, born on May 27, 1999 in Paris, is a Franco-American model and actress. Since 2015, she is the muse of the Chanel brand.
Photo : Getty Images
Gisele Caroline Nonnenmacher Bündchen, born July 20, 1980 in Horizontina, is a model and a Brazilian actress of German origin. Gisele Bündchen, quoted in the novel “The Devil Wears Prada”, makes an appearance in the film of the same name where she interprets Serena.
Karlie Elizabeth Kloss, born August 3, 1992 in Chicago, is an American model and dancer. She is one of the highest paid models in the world.
