The 100 Greatest Supermodels: 1980-2019
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Getting into the modeling industry is by no means an easy task. Over the years a number of beautiful young women have tried their luck at modeling. However, only few have succeeded at becoming successful models. The oomph factor and personality of supermodels determines their contracts, endorsements, campaigns and recognition associated with their modeling careers. Hectic schedules form an integral part of a supermodel’s life. The number of fashion assignments established female models undertake all year long is astonishing. Fashion models have to get accustomed to working with individuals with varied temperaments in the fashion industry.
The list below showcases a diverse collection of supermodels of the '80s '90s, 2000s, and 2010s. If you have a view, opinion, or suggestion, let us know in the comments section.
Top 10 Supermodels: 1980-2019
- Adriana Lima
- Linda Evangelista
- Laetitia Casta
- Gisele Bundchen
- Claudia Schiffer
- Naomi Campbell
- Kate Moss
- Cindy Crawford
- Heidi Klum
- Stephanie Seymour
Best Modeling Agencies
The number of modeling agencies since the '80s has been significant. Some of the most popular supermodels have emerged through the ranks of modeling agencies doing a varied body of work for fashion houses, fashion designers and brands. Models groomed by leading modeling agencies at a young age have gone onto to become highly successful supermodels in their modeling careers. Some of the popular modeling agencies responsible for spotting and nurturing talent are mentioned below.
- Elite Model Management
- Storm Management
- One Management
- DNA Models
- Next Model Management
- Ford Models
- Women Management
- Model Management
- IMG Models
- Marilyn Agency
#11—20
11. Karen Mulder
12. Elle Macpherson
13. Gia Carangi
14. Milla Jovovich
15. Tatjana Patitz
16. Christie Brinkley
17. Karolina Kurkova
18. Miranda Kerr
19. Candice Swanepoel
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20. Allessandra Ambrosio
Supermodels in the 1980s and 1990s
The '80s was a decade that gave new meaning to glitz and glamour in the fashion world. A number of independent designers emerged from different parts of the world bringing an aesthetic sense to global fashion. The '80s is also remembered as the decade that paved the way for supermodels. The supermodel trend got big in the '80s and garnered a lot more attention in years to follow. While the modeling industry has evolved significantly since the '80s, what remains true is the passion and dedication among supermodels. With so many beautiful women walking the ramp for designers, it takes something special to emerge a supermodel.
Supermodels in the '90s gave sensuality a brand new meaning to fashion bringing a whole new degree of oomph and sophistication. While the lifestyle of supermodels has often been taken to the whipping post revealing the dark side of their success, what’s not often glorified is the effort and struggle it has taken models to reach the top. It takes a lot of discipline and dedication to remain committed professionally towards modeling assignments. Striking a balance with personal life and professional life is never easy for supermodels.
#21—40
21. Iman
22. Hilary Rhoda
23. Bar Refaeli
24. Emily Ratajkowski
25. Abbey Lee Kershaw
26. Marisa Miller
27. Karlie Kloss
28. Gigi Hadid
29. Tyra Banks
30. Doutzen Kross
31. Kristen McMenamy
32. Yasmeen Ghauri
33. Natasha Poly
34. Natalia Vodianova
35. Christy Turlington
36. Liya Kebede
37. Niki Taylor
38. Chanel Iman
39. Jourdan Dunn
40. Isabeli Fontana
What Does It Take To Be a Supermodel?
Over the years a number of supermodels have been exemplary with their personal lives and professional commitments and have become role models for young girls aspiring to become fashion models. Supermodels are often required to travel to different parts of the world for fashion shows and photo shoots. Without high energy levels it is not possible to reach the rank of a supermodel. Since the '90s a number of supermodels with distinctive features have emerged from far corners of the globe.
A large number of runaway models in the '90s went onto achieve tremendous success as supermodels. Few models have achieved tremendous success doing photo shoots for fashion magazines, appearing in music videos, and doing ad campaigns for leading brands. A number of models have achieved a great deal of fame being on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue and Vogue. Models featured in Sports Illustrated and Vogue issues have earned iconic status among fans in the fashion world.
#41—60
41. Hailey Baldwin
42. Coco Rocha
43. Joan Smalls
44. Kelly Emberg
45. Yasmin Le Bon
46. Anja Rubik
47. Caroline Trentini
48. Selita Eubanks
49. Lindsey Wixon
50. Agyness Deyn
51. Eva Herzigova
52. Kate Upton
53. Ann Beatriz Barros
54. Tatiana Sorokko
55. Sasha Pivovarova
56. Carol Alt
57. Kendall Jenner
58. Behati Prinsloo
59. Raquel Zimmerman
60. Molly Sims
Supermodels in the 2000s and 2010s
Fashion models of the 2000s took their craft to a whole new level with their mesmerizing catwalk on the ramp. Striking a pose while maintaining poise is what sets apart a supermodel from the rest. Since the 2010s a new crop of young models has given newfound meaning to the word ‘supermodel’. Models have created a roar on internet-based photo sharing services, Instagram in particular.
The current crop of top models has a huge following on social media networks. The new league of supermodels referred to as Instagirls has not gone down too well with supermodels of the past; however, it’s the need and demand of the present generation that has propelled a new generic term associated with beauty and fashion.
#61—80
61. Lara Stone
62. Kathy Ireland
63. Rosie Huntington-Whiteley
64. Bella Hadid
65. Alek Wek
66. Crystal Renn
67. Daria Werbowy
68. Jessica Stam
69. Nadja Auermann
70. Freja Beha Erichsen
71. Bridget Hall
72. Liu Wen
73. Helena Christensen
74. Shalom Harlow
75. Karen Elson
76. Angela Lindvall
77. Irina Shayk
78. Lily Donaldson
79. Gemma Ward
80. Selita Ebanks
Walking the ramp for designers and doing photo shoots and ad campaigns throughout the year is tiring. However, for supermodels there is no such thing as a long break. Top models have to keep fit with a healthy diet and their exercise routine at the gym. Supermodels may opt for different types of workouts depending on need and requirement, and advice of dieticians, nutritionists or personal trainers.
Supermodels have to bring along the right attitude to connect with fashion houses, fashion designers, fashion photographers, and brands. While a drop-dead gorgeous face and figure goes a long way in the modeling world, it’s the attitude that determines varied assignments a supermodel gets. In the fashion world attitude is everything…the right attitude.
#81—100
81. Cara Delevingne
82. Kim Alexis
83. Brooklyn Decker
84. Janice Dickenson
85. Carla Bruni
86. Rebecca Romijn
87. Anna Selezneva
88. Jessica Hart
89. Ines de La Fressange
90. Adriana Sklenarikova
91. Paulina Porizkova
92. Catherine McNeil
93. Mariacarla Boscono
94. Amber Valletta
95. Cindy Bruna
96. Kasia Struss
97. Iris Strubegger
98. Josie Maran
99. Kelly Brook
100. Irina Lazareanu

Candice Swanepoel
Adam Bielawski - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9891328
Other Notable Supermodels: 1980-2019
- Vlada Roslyakova
- Jill Goodacre
- Maryna Linchuk
- Barbara Palvin
- Fei Fei Sun
- Veronica Webb
- Tricia Helfer
- Nadege du Bospertus
- Taylor Hill
- Olga Kurylenko
- Carmen Cass
- Lily Aldridge
- Erin Wasson
- Abbey Lee Kershaw
- Patricia Velasquez
- Magdalena Frackowiak
- Patti Hansen
- Kim Noorda
- Megan Gale
- Estella Warren
- Petra Nemcova
- Anouck Lepere
- Sophie Dahl
- Joanna Krupa
- Cindy Taylor
- Frederique van der Wal
- Emina Cunmulaj
- Jennifer Hawkins
- Audrey Quock
- Renne Simonsen
- Yasmin Warsame
- Lias Ribeiro
- Beverley Peele
- Estelle Lefebure
- Anna Marie Cseh
- Jasmine Tookes
- Ujjwala Raut
- Josephine Skriver
- Erin O’Connor
- Dewi Driegen
- Kelly Gale
- Ruslana Korshunova
- Liliane Ferrarezi
- Caroline Winberg
- Fernanda Tavares
- Bhumika Arora
- Nataliya Gotsiy
- Aurelie Claudel
- Karmen Pedaru
- Eve Salvail
- Anneliese Seubert
© 2018 Ansel Pereira
Comments
Kenneth Avery from Hamilton, Alabama on March 09, 2018:
Ansel -- you are welcome. You deserve it.
Ansel Pereira (author) on March 09, 2018:
Thank you so much Kenneth.
Kenneth Avery from Hamilton, Alabama on March 09, 2018:
Ansel -- this is a great hub. And you gave out a lot of information about your topic. Keep up the fine work.