Supermodels Who Became Famous The Year You Were Born
Since time began, the fashion industry has seen so many developments and has evolved into the living magic we see today. Can you believe modeling at one point was deemed silly and an absurd practice? We do understand the fact that not many of the models of the early days were popular as those of today, like Twiggy and Pattie Boyd, who modeled in the 1960s. History has it that only after the 1970s started that modeling fashion began to have an impact and initial influence the way fashion is sported today. We have done a little research and have come up with the top models who became popular when you were born…since 1970.
1. Lauren Hutton – 1970
Lauren Hutton
It was believed that modeling came with perfection in all aspects of life and career, but when Lauren Hutton stepped on the scene…all that changed. Lauren had gap teeth, and a lot of sponsors wanted her to cover it up, but she refused and instead built her image and embraced her difference. Hutton started her passion for modeling in 1963 but didn’t make it to the big screen until 1968 after a photoshoot of her by Chanel’s Richard Avedon was released. This move turned everything around for Hutton as in 1973, she signed the biggest modeling contract during that period with Revlon. She was featured on the cover of over 25 magazines and did a lot of campaigns and endorsements. Lucky for her, she continues to model even while in her 70s.
2. Jean Shrimpton – 1971
Jean Shrimpton
Jean Shrimpton was named in 2009 by Harper’s Bazaar as one of the top 26 models of all time, which goes to show just how influential she was. Jean began her modeling career at the age of 17 when she did a shoot with photographer David Bailey back in 1960. Glamour Magazine named her in 1963 as the model of the year, and since then, her career took an upward trend as she started doing cover shoots and campaigns for Vanity Fair, Vogue, Elle, and so much more. Her debut of a miniskirt in a 1971 shoot made this fashion trend popular and further led to her being deemed a supermodel by Time Magazine in 1971. She was the first model to be given this title, and amidst all the fame she got, she was one of the humblest in the industry.
3. Marisa Berenson – 1972
Marisa Berenson
Marisa is one of those models who can be classified as “a jack of all trades” as in addition to her modeling career, she was an actress. She also has a few awards and nominations up her sleeve to include Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations. Berenson attained her fame in the 1960s as a model, and in 1970, she graced the cover of Vogue Magazine and Times Magazine in 1975. She was classified as the “Queen of the Night” due to her numerous visits to night clubs and other activities of the nightlife. Yves Saint-Laurent also deemed her the “Girl of the Seventies” in the same year.
4. Rene Russo – 1973
Rene Russo
John Crossby first discovered Rene Russo at a Rolling Stones concert (they claimed it was an accidental discovery). She was initially signed to Ford Modeling Agency and, from there, attained the status of being one of the best models during the 1970s. Her career since then saw her gracing the covers of popular magazines like Cosmopolitan, Mademoiselle, Vogue, and much more. As her career progressed, she ventured into other career paths like acting where she landed roles in top-performing movies like The Thomas Crown Affair, Outbreak, Get Shorty, Lethal Weapon, and many others.
5. Beverly Johnson – 1974
Beverly Johnson
Being the first Afro-American to grace the cover of America Vogue, there is no question of how Beverly Johnson made it to this list. Beverly was deemed one of the most influential people in the fashion industry in the 20th century by The New York Times and was the first to be on the cover of Elle Magazine. The model also ventured into acting where she played a role in films like Ashanti, How to Be a Player (by Def Jam), Crossroads, and more. She also made appearances on various TV series such as The Parent Hood and Law & Order.
6. Jerry Hall – 1975
Jerry Hall
Jerry Hall hails from Texas, but her modeling career was discovered in France by Claude Haddad, a fashion agent. She appeared as a mermaid on Roxy Music’s album cover, Siren, in 1975. This gave her the push to achieve so much more in the industry as, by 1977, Johnson was already featured on more than 40 magazines to include Cosmopolitan and Italian Vogue. She later got married to the love of her life, Mick Jagger, and was entitled a Lifetime Achievement Award from Fashion Group International, Dallas.
7. Iman – 1976
Iman
Iman is an American-Somalian model who was discovered by Peter Beard, a famous photographer who inspired Iman to come to America. Iman was born Zara Mohammed Abdulmajid, and a year after traveling to the U.S., she landed her first major modeling contract with Vogue, where she graced the magazine’s cover in one of their editions. Iman described herself as a “regular Somalian woman” who didn’t see anything so special about her. However, the fashion world was seeing a magnificently beautiful and artistic figure like no other. Her humility with her talent landed her numerous modeling contracts with popular designers like Calvin Klein, Versace, Donna Karen, and a whole lot more. Yves Saint-Lauren even described Iman as the woman of his dreams.
8. Janice Dickinson – 1977
Janice Dickinson
At the time when the fashion and modeling industry was populated with blue-eyed blondes, Janice Dickinson stepped out and made her statement. Unfortunately, a lot of modeling agencies rejected her at the time, and it was not until she moved to Paris that her true beauty caught the fashion world. Eventually, she returned to the United States and was signed by one of the very agencies that rejected her from the onset – Ford Models. She quickly rose to prominence in the new location and later appeared on the covers of lots of prominent magazines like Cosmopolitan, Vogue, Marie Claire, Playboy, and more. In addition to being a model, she is a fashion photographer and an entrepreneur where she designs and sells her jewelry.
9. Cheryl Tiegs
Cheryl Tiegs
Cheryl Tiegs is one of those models that started her modeling career as a teen after sporting a swimsuit that caught the attention of the fashion world. At seventeen years old, Cheryl was approached by numerous popular magazines like Glamour, who did an instant photoshoot and added her to the cover of one of their additions. This paved the way for her as she later signed numerous deals with other popular magazines like Seventeen, Elle, and Harper’s Bazaar. She was the first model to appear twice on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue. Cheryl is currently a philanthropist and an entrepreneur with her fashion line.
10. Gia Carangi – 1979
Gia Carangi
When Gia Carangi went to New York in 1978, she was 17-years-old, and within a year, she was more than a household name in the world of fashion. She also became one of the highest-paid models in the modeling industry but was soon an image of shame after she became a drug addict shortly after. Her demise later came at the age of 26 when she died from AIDS-related complications. Her short-lived career, however, was filled with lots of amazing results as she featured on other top magazines like Cosmopolitan and Vogue. She also signed numerous modeling contracts with top fashion houses like Armani, Yves Saint-Lauren, Versace, and Dior.
11. Brooke Shields – 1980
Brooke Shields
Brooke Shields is known across various industries to include acting and fashion. She started as a child actor where she played the role of a child actor in Pretty Baby, a 1978 film. Two years later, she featured in a Calvin Klein ad with the tag, “You want to know what comes between my Calvins and me? Nothing.” Shields was also the youngest ever model to grace the cover of Vogue Magazine. She is an avid fashionista, model, and actress who also appeared in lots of other TV series. She would later take a short break from modeling to attend university. She later graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Romance Languages from Princeton University.
12. Christie Brinkley – 1981
Christie Brinkley
Christie Brinkley outdid the history of Cheryl Tiegs (who appeared on two covers of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issues) by appearing on the cover three times consecutively. She also copped the face of CoverGirl for 25 years. Christie was much like Cheryl at the time who didn’t see herself entering the fashion or modeling industries but was discovered by her beauty and natural poise. The fashion world discovered her in 1973. In addition to modeling, she is even also an actress and appears in numerous music videos.
13. Cindy Crawford – 1982
Cindy Crawford
Cindy Crawford, who hails from DeKalb. Illinois started her modeling career while still in high school at the age of 17. Crawford entered the Elite Model Management’s Look of the Year contest and was placed second. Ever since, after leaving her college degree journey behind (Northwestern University), she has had no regrets as it has been success after success for her. By 1998, Crawford had appeared on over 500 magazine covers and was a runway model for fashion powerhouses like Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors, Calvin Klein, Versace, Chanel, Dior, and so many others. Her standout features included her big hair and a facial mole, which many found attractive.
14. Elle Macpherson – 1983
Elle Macpherson
Elle Macpherson is known in the modeling world by her nickname “The Body” due to her amazing figure that many of the industry’s powerhouses found enticing. The Australian native moved to New York in 1982, and one year later was already the cover for famous magazines like Cosmopolitan, Elle, and Marie Claire. She was featured in Elle Magazine for six consecutive years (all of their issues) and also graced the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue five times. Besides being a model, Macpherson is also an actress, producer, TV host, and entrepreneur.
15. Paulina Porizkova – 1984
Paulina Porizkova
Paulina Porizkova is a Swedish-American model who, at the age of 18, was first Central-European native to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. She also joined ranks with Christie Brinkley to have featured on two consecutive issues. She was an already established model in Europe by the early 1980s, especially in Paris. However, it was not until after a makeup artist used her as a canvas for one of his pieces that she gained fame in the American Modeling industry. The makeup artist had sent her photos to the Elite Modeling Agency.
16. Carol Alt – 1985
Carol Alt
In 1979, Carol Alt became a hit in the fashion industry when she graced the cover of Harper’s Bazaar. However, she never really made it big until around 1982 when she appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. She managed to feature in over 500 magazines during the 1980s leading her to become one of the most popular models of the time. Carol appeared in lots of advertisements for companies such as Diet Pepsi and Givenchy and was known in the industry by the nickname “The Face.”
17. Kim Alexis – 1986
Kim Alexis
Kim Alexis took the place of Lauren Hutton when she became the face of Revlon Ultimate II Line in 1983. Alexis featured a lot in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issues in the 1980s and acted in lots of movies and TV shows. She starred in the movie Holy Man alongside Eddie Murphy.
18. Yasmin Le Bon – 1987
Yasmin Le Bon
Yasmin Le Bon is a British born model who was highly paid during the 1980s after starting her career in modeling while still in school. She was the cover of the first American and British issues of Elle. As time went by, she got other amazing opportunities to include covering Vogue, Cosmopolitan, and Marie Claire. She later became the face of Guess? in 1987. She is now a mother of three and has modeled for numerous fashion houses such as Versace, Chanel, Banana Republic, Calvin Klein, and Dior.
19. Karen Alexander – 1988
Karen Alexander
Karen Alexander was rejected on numerous occasions, but her story in rising to fame is one filled with determination and persistence. Not giving up, turned in good results for Alexander as she later became a popular figure in the industry. As for rejection, many of the modeling agencies noted she was un-photogenic and didn’t have enough zeal to capture the crowd in commercials. However, she didn’t let that get in the way of her becoming a supermodel. As time passed, one modeling agency finally decided to sign her, and it was the foundation on which she used to build herself. Later on, she became the face of numerous magazines such as Vogue, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, Glamour, and more. Karen also modeled for multiple fashion houses like Cover Girl, Tiffany & Co., and Chanel.
20. Kathy Ireland – 1988
Kathy Ireland
Kathy Ireland is one of the richest models now who started her career while still in high school (1979). Her career was slowly growing strong when it finally hit the top mark in 1989 when she graced the cover of the 1989 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Cover Issue. Interestingly, this issue copped the best-seller title as it was voted the “Greatest Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Cover” of all time while it celebrated its 50th anniversary. She is an entrepreneur and founder of a marketing agency known as Kathy Ireland WorldWide (1993). As of 2015, Forbes recorded her net worth to be approximately $420 million.
21. Linda Evangelista – 1990
Linda Evangelista
Linda started her modeling career with Elite Model Management in 1984. As she progressed in her newfound passion, she was influenced by her photographer Peter Lindbergh to cut her hair in a style called Linda. Interestingly, he worked in her favor and gave her much success as a lot of women around the world found inspiration in her new look and replicated the style. Her modeling nickname was Chameleon, as she was able to change her appearance to appetize the camera. She was voted the “Greatest Supermodel of All Time” through the TV show Fashion File in 2008.
22. Christy Turlington – 1991
Christy Turlington
Christy Turlington was described as “the most beautiful woman in the world” by American Vogue Magazine’s Grace Coddington. This was due to her unique symmetrical face and pillow-lipped smile. In 1991, she earned a whopping $800,000 for a 12-day campaign with Maybelline, making her one of the highest-paid models of the time. She graced the cover of popular magazines hundreds of times and represented fashion powerhouse Calvin Klein Eternity’s campaign both in 1989 and 2014. She currently operates a nonprofit organization known as Every Mother Counts, which places focus on women’s healthy pregnancy and safe birth.
23. Kate Moss – 1992
Kate Moss
Kate started her modeling career at the tender age of 14 and is considered by many as anti-model as she was the opposite of the average model people were used to. She was short and sported a thin feature but was still able to make her way up the ladder to becoming a supermodel and a fashion influencer. She collaborated with Calvin Klein on a role described as the “heroin chic” and did well in size zero fashion trends. She has graced the fashion wear with designs from powerhouses like Yves Saint-Lauren, Burberry, Dolce & Gabbana, Balenciaga, Chanel, Alexander McQueen, Dior, Versace, and Calvin Klein.
24. Naomi Campbell – 1993
Naomi Campbell
Naomi Campbell is a household name in the world of fashion as she is a part of what the fashion world deems “The Big Six” in the fashion industry. She first captured the eyes of the world when she features in the music video of one of the world’s greatest reggae icons, Bob Marley’s “Is This Love.” At the time, she was seven, but by the time she turned 16, she was already on the cover of the British version of Elle Magazine and was gaining lots of reactions worldwide. The journey to success was never easy for Campbell as she faced a lot of racial discrimination and rejection. However, with support from fashion stalwarts like Christy Turlington, Lucas Evangelista, and designer Yves Saint-Lauren, she was able to break those barriers and soared to the top. In 1987, Campbell became the first-ever black woman to grace the cover of French Vogue and was the first to do so for the Magazine since 1966. Aside from modeling, Naomi is a philanthropist who supports lots of charitable causes, an activist against racial discrimination, an actress, and a singer – she released her music album some years ago.
25. Claudia Schiffer – 1994
Claudia Schiffer
Claudia made a name for herself in the fashion industry in the 1990s. She was on her way to becoming a lawyer like her father. Still, She was soon discovered by the director of the Metropolitan Model Agency in Düsseldorf, who later signed her on as a model. She progress to become the cover for several editions of Elle and Vogue Magazine as well as modeled in campaigns for brands such as Chanel. Prada, Guess? And Marc Jacobs. Schiffer holds the Guinness World Record for the model with the most magazine cover shoots – over 1000 covers.
26. Amber Valletta – 1995
Amber Valletta
Valletta has over 16 American Vogue magazine covers under her belt and is considered one of the best supermodels of all time. She models for fashion houses such as Gucci, Calvin Klein, Prada, Louis Vuitton, Versace, Chanel, and Valentino. In addition to modeling, Valletta is an actress who made appearances in movies such as Transporter 2, The Spy Next Door, Man About Town, and What Lies Beneath. She also appeared in a few TV shows like Blood & Oil and Revenge.
27. Tyra Banks – 1996
Tyra Banks
Tyra Banks graced the covers of GQ and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue as the first-ever African-American Model. She also made the cover of other popular magazines like Vanity Fair, Vogue, and Harper’s Bazaar and has a successful career both on and off the runway. Tyra became the first African-American model for Victoria’s Secrets Angel in 1997, appeared on the popular TV sitcom Fresh Prince of Belair (fourth season), and also many other TV series. In 2008, Tyra Banks won the Daytime Emmy Award for her production works on The Tyra Banks Show and also works as a TV host. She runs her business – cosmetic line- and is a guest lecturer at Stanford University.
28. Helena Christensen – 1997
Helena Christensen
Helena won the Miss Universe Denmark in 1986 and represented the country at the staging of Miss Universe. However, after her time in the beauty pageants, she moved to Paris, where she became a full-time model and attained much fame and popularity in the 1990s. She featured in Wicked Game’s music video in the 1990s, and this helped to push her a little closer to becoming the model she was. She graced the cover of numerous magazines to include Vogue, Elle, and W. Helena has covered more than 650 magazines and was also a part of the Victoria’s Secrets Angels. She also worked as a photographer and was the creative director of Nylon in 1999. She works with numerous charitable causes and is an activist for climate change and breast cancer awareness.
29. Rebecca Romjin – 1998
Rebecca Romjin
Rebecca Romjin made a name for herself in the fashion industry in the 1990s and is also a world-renowned actress for her role in the X-Men franchise. Her modeling career started in 1991 when she covered magazines like Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, Glamour, Sports Illustrated, Elle, GQ, and Allure. She has also walked the runway and done campaigns for fashion icons alongside fellow modelers Turlington, Crawford, and Evangelista. In addition to X-Man, she also starred in Star Trek: Discovery.
30. Heidi Klum – 1999
Heidi Klum
Heidi Klum was the first German woman to be a part of the Victoria’s Secrets Angel’s clan and has gradually earned her rights to be classified as a supermodel. She has conquered the fashion trends of the 90s and stepped over in the 2000s as a strong career woman. In addition to covering for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in 1998, she also did lots of commercials for companies like McDonald’s and Volkswagen. She also worked as an actress on numerous films like How I Met Your Mother, The Devil Wears Prada, and Sex & the City and more. She currently works as a producer and author.
31. Gisele Bündchen – 2000
Gisele Bundchen
Gisele Bündchen, who started her modeling career in 1997, became the first Brazilian supermodel. Vogue Magazine classified her as the model who created the smooth transition from the heroin chic to the sexy, healthy, and golden tan trend. In 2014, Gisele was listed as the 89th most powerful woman in the world by Forbes. She also modeled for Victoria’s Secret for eight years and is now married with children. Gisele allots a lot of her time to charitable groups and causes such as Red Cross, Save the Children, and Doctors Without Borders.
32. Natalia Vodianova – 2001
Natalia Vodianova
Natalia was deemed the third highest-grossing model in 2012 by Forbes after progressing gradually through the fashion industry. She started her modeling career at 17 years old and did well for herself on the runway, in editorial magazines, as well as in advertising. Natalia modeled for huge brands such as Calvin Klein, Prada, Givenchy, and more and also works as a philanthropist, where she serves the Special Olympics International Board of Directors. She is also the founder of the charity group Naked Heart Foundation which focuses on creating a safe place to live for children living in Urban Russia and providing a sustainable living for families caring for disabled children. The supermodel is now a mom of five.
33. Liya Kebede – 2002
Liya Kebede
Liya Kebede is an Ethiopian model whose career started in 2000 after copping the contract with Tom Ford to model his Gucci Fall/Winter 2000 designs. Since then, she has made the cover of magazines such as V, Vogue, Time’s Style & Design, and more. In addition to being a model, Liya works as an actress, writer for Huffington Post, and an advocate. She is currently the World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) Ambassador for Maternal Newborn and Child Health.
34. Daria Werbowy – 2003
Daria Werbowy
Like many other models who have made it big, Daria Werbowy’s journey, too, was a struggle and faced many setbacks. Daria Werbowy’s modeling career started at 14 when she won a national modeling contest in Toronto. However, it was not until 2003 that she gained some interest when she made the cover of Vogue Italia three times and later landed contract deals with Prada to advertise its Fall/Winter Design in an ad campaign. She is the second Canadian model after Linda Evangelista to have a star on the Canadian Walk of Fame, and she is currently the face of Lancôme.
35. Gemma Ward – 2004
Gemma Ward
Gemma Ward caught the eyes of fashion enthusiasts after she made appearances at the 2003 Australian Fashion Week. In 2004, she became the youngest model (16) to grace the cover of American Vogue and brought life to the idea of baby doll-like models. When she turned 18, she covered the inaugural Vogue China and was the first cover face for Teen Vogue. Besides modeling, she is even an actress and has appeared in movies like Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides and The Black Balloon.
36. Doutzen Kroes – 2005
Doutzen Kroes
Kroes rose to fame pretty quickly when she started in 2003 after being signed to Victoria’s Secrets and became one of their Angels in 2008. She managed to become the first model to cover for four different international Vogue Issues in 2013 – the first for any model in a single year. Kroes, who is of Dutch descent, is one of the highest-paid models in the fashion world and is also a philanthropist who works with numerous charity groups such as Dance4Life – a group that uses dance and music to shed light on HIV/AIDS. She is also an actress featuring in Dutch films like Nova Zembla and Wonder Woman as an Amazon.
37. Coco Rocha – 2006
Coco Rocha
Coco Rocha is a Canadian model who has captured the hearts of many for her incorporation of digital media in fashion. She has modeled for many popular brands like Marc Jacobs, Christian Lacroix, and Stella McCartney. Rocha is known for her dancing trends on the runway and has featured in numerous fashion and advertising campaigns for fashion houses like Balenciaga, Dolce & Gabbana, Americana Manhasset, Tommy Hilfiger, Dior, Yves Saint-Lauren. Versace, and The Gap.
38. Agyness Deyn – 2007
Agyness Deyn
The story behind the discovery of this amazing model started at a shopping mall in London, where she was shopping with her friend Henry Holland. She has graced the cover of Vogue Magazine edition that featured “The World’s Next Top Models” in 2007. In addition to her modeling passion, she is also an actress and singer as she appeared in Clash of the Titans and Patient Zero as well as did the opening voice for Rihanna’s music video – We Found Love.
39. Karlie Kloss – 2008
Karlie Kloss
Karlie Kloss started her modeling career at the age of 14 when she was granted an Abercrombie Kids’ modeling contract after appearing on the cover of Scene Magazine. She also got the opportunity to grace the stage of New York Fashion Week in 2008, walking 31 runways. Vogue Paris deemed Kloss as one of the top 30 models of the 2000s when she was 17 years old. Also, between 2012 and 2015, she was a Victoria’s Secrets Angel but took a break to attend college. She is a computer wiz and used her programming skills to start her brand Kode with Klossy, a girls camp that helps young ladies learn the skills of computer science and software engineering.
40. Bar Refaeli – 2009
Bar Refaeli
Bar Refaeli is deemed one of the models who started her career at a young age, as when she was only eight months old, she appeared in numerous campaigns and advertising. She has since graced the cover of numerous magazines such as GQ, Vogue, Elle, and Harper’s Bazaar. Refaeli made the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in 2009 and also worked as a TV host. In 2013, she started hosting the Israeli X-Factor and the Eurovision Song Contest in 2019. She is all about environmental safety as she is an advocate for the removal of plastic bags from Israel and efficient conservation of water in the country.
41. Miranda Kerr – 2010
Miranda Kerr
Miranda Kerr is an Australian model who shot to fame in 2007 after becoming one of Victoria’s Secrets Angels. Just before signing to NEXT Model Management, she won the Dolly Magazine/Impulse Model Competition at 13 years old. Kerr has done lots of ad campaigns and runways for brands such as Levi’s, Alex Perry, and Balenciaga. In 2011, Kerr was featured on the cover of Vogue Australia at six months pregnant, the first model to cover Vogue while pregnant. She also made even some guest appearances on the TV series How I Met Your Mother.