Supermodels of the ’90s: then and now
Long before there was Kendall Jenner, Gigi Hadid, and Kaia Gerber, there were the “Big Five”. Cindy Crawford, Christy Turlington, Linda Evangelista, Naomi Campbell, and Claudia Schiffer; the original ’90s supermodels. With their mile-long legs, iconic haircuts, million-dollar faces, and ultra-chic “off-duty style”, they were some of the most recognizable women in the world.
Photo: Getty Images
They attained the cult of celebrity and became larger-than-life personalities who famously, “[didn’t] get out of bed for less than $10,000 a day”. Three decades into their careers, these five supermodels are still among the most famous faces in fashion. This is what they look like now.
Naomi Campbell in the '90s
As the first black model to grace the cover of French Vogue and American Vogue’s September issue, Naomi Campbell made her catwalk debut for Chanel during Paris Fashion Week in 1986. As one of the original “Big Five”, the British-born model was declared “the reigning megamodel of them all“ by Interview magazine in 1990.
-45%
Adrianna Papell
One-Shoulder Evening Gown in Magenta at Nordstrom, Size 12 Pink
$109.45
$199.00
Nordstrom
BHLDN
Tiana One-Shoulder Satin Kaftan Maxi Dress Green
$268.00
Anthropologie
-30%
Norma Kamali
Sequined one-shoulder gown Yellow
$301.00
$430.00
Mytheresa
-40%
Rotate
Sequined one-shoulder maxi dress Silver
$288.00
$480.00
Mytheresa
Claudia Schiffer in the '90s
One of the original supermodels, Claudia Schiffer‘s breakthrough moment came when she was hand-picked by Karl Lagerfeld to become the new face of Chanel. The German-born model was featured in George Michael’s Freedom! ’90 music video alongside her supermodel contemporaries and starred in influential campaigns for Guess, Versace, and L’Oréal.
-40%
Coperni
Boa feather-trimmed jersey top Black
$252.00
$420.00
Mytheresa
-40%
Coperni
Boa feather-trimmed jersey top Black
$336.00
$560.00
Mytheresa
-40%
Coperni
Boa feather-trimmed jersey top White
$336.00
$560.00
Mytheresa
Cindy Crawford in the 90's
Photo: Getty Images
After winning the “Look of the Year” contest by the Elite Modeling Agency in 1982, Cindy Crawford gained widespread appeal with her all-American looks and famous beauty mark. She appeared in an iconic Pepsi commercial during the 1992 Super Bowl halftime show and hosted MTV’s House of Style, catapulting her further into notoriety.
-54%
Tory Burch
Handbags Black
$196.00
$427.00
Yoox
-56%
Moschino
Handbags Black
$300.00
$680.00
Yoox
-18%
Furla
Furla Goccia S Hobo Shoulder Bag Black
$460.00
$561.00
Balardi
Christy Turlington in the 90's
Dubbed the “Face of the 20th Century” by the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art, Christy Turlington signed a record-breaking seven-figure contract to be the face of Calvin Klein when she was only 20 years old. With a reputation as one of the nicest models in the industry, Christy Turlington turned her superlative modelling career towards public health and education, earning a master’s degree in public health from Columbia University in 2009 and founding the nonprofit Every Mother Counts the following year.
Rick Owens
Hollywood virgin wool-trimmed leather blazer Grey
$2,855.00
Mytheresa
-40%
Ganni
Checked blazer Grey
$368.00
$613.00
Mytheresa
-30%
Balmain
Draped virgin wool blazer dress Grey
$3,115.00
$4,450.00
Mytheresa
-30%
Faithfull The Brand
Enna blazer Grey
$469.00
$670.00
Mytheresa
A fixture among ’90s supermodels, the Canadian hair chameleon famously once said, “[I] don’t wake up for less than $10,000 a day.“ During the height of her three-decade career, Linda Evangelista was the ultimate cover girl, gracing over 800 titles and becoming a muse to famous fashion photographer Steven Meisel.
Twik
Womens Coloured-stripe poplin pyjama short Blue
$39.00
Simons
-58%
Twik
Womens Small flowers chiffon midi skirt Yellow
$49.95
$120.00
Simons
Twik
Womens Coloured-stripe poplin pyjama pant Pink
$49.00
Simons
Twik
Womens Cord and seashells lightweight pant White
$59.00
Simons
Original text: Kayla Kuefler
Updated content: Emma Trimboli