How Well Do You Know Your Supermodels?

A supermodel is a highly-paid elite fashion model. This term is used to describe models who have achieved a high level of success and recognition in the fashion industry. They are often seen as the face of major brands, walk the runway for top designers, and appear in high-profile advertising campaigns. Supermodels are known for their unique beauty, charisma, and ability to captivate audiences with their presence and style. They are considered the top tier of models and are highly sought after in the fashion world.

The correct answer, "worldwide reputation and household name," suggests that supermodels are widely recognized and well-known globally. This implies that they have gained a significant level of fame and are familiar to people around the world. They have achieved a status where their names are recognized by the general public and have become synonymous with the fashion industry.

The term 'supermodel' first entered popular jargon during the 80's and 90's due to the rise of iconic and highly influential models such as Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, and Claudia Schiffer. These models achieved unprecedented levels of fame and success, appearing on magazine covers, in fashion shows, and in advertising campaigns. Their popularity and impact on popular culture led to the term 'supermodel' being used to describe them and other models who reached similar levels of fame and recognition during that time period.

When Linda Evangelista mentioned to Vogue that "we don’t wake up for less than $10,000 a day," she may have been playing, but the 1990 comment became the most notorious quote in modeling history.

During the 1990s, the supermodel phenomenon reached its peak. This decade witnessed the rise of iconic supermodels such as Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, and Kate Moss, who dominated the fashion industry and became global household names. Their glamorous and influential presence in fashion shows, magazine covers, and advertising campaigns defined the 90s as the decade when supermodels reigned supreme.

Linda Evangelista, Kate Moss, Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell,
Christy Turlington, Claudia Schiffer

Christy Turlington signed a Maybelline contract worth $800,000 for twelve days of work.

Fonssagrives was in most of the major fashion magazines and general interest magazines from the 1930s to the 1950s, including Town & Country, Life, Vogue, the original Vanity Fair, and Time. The relationship between her image on over 200 Vogue covers and her name recognition led to the future importance of Vogue in shaping future supermodels.

Even though Beverly Johnson was the first African American model to be on the cover of American Vogue (1974), Iman is considered to have been the first supermodel of color.

That same year, Hemingway also appeared on the cover of Time magazine and was labeled one of the "New Beauties," giving further name recognition to fashion models.

Lisa Fonssagrives described herself as just a good "clothes hanger". This statement suggests that she saw herself primarily as a model who could effectively showcase clothing, rather than someone with a distinct personality or individuality. It implies that she believed her main purpose was to serve as a vessel for presenting fashion, highlighting her professionalism and dedication to her craft. This attitude may have contributed to her success as a highly influential and sought-after model in the fashion industry.