Supermodel

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A supermodel is a highly-paid elite fashion model who usually has a worldwide reputation and often a background in haute couture and commercial modeling.

There is no set standard of what constitutes a supermodel; what standards there are, change over time. The term itself is somewhat a media creation. However, the elite models who are given the appellation of "supermodel" often share similar traits. These models usually work for top fashion designers and labels, such as Chanel, Versace, and Dior. Supermodels often parlay their celebrity into product endorsement deals and acting careers.^[1]

Contents 1 Origins of the term 2 Rise of the Supermodel 3 The "end" of the supermodel "era" 4 Male supermodels 5 See also 6 References

[edit] Origins of the term

The term "supermodel" took hold in the popular culture of the 1980s and 1990s. However, according to Model: The Ugly Business of Beautiful Women by Michael Gross, the first known use of the term "supermodel" was in the 1940s by an agent named Clyde Matthew Dessner in a "how-to" book he wrote about modeling.^[2] Amongst those who could be considered supermodels by the standards of the 1940s were Cathee Dahmen, Dorian Leigh, Dovima, and Anita Colby.

Although Janice Dickinson credited herself in 2003 as being the first supermodel,^[3] Lisa Fonssagrives is considered by most in the industry to actually fill that position.^[4] Fonssagrives was in most of the major fashion and general interest magazines from the 1930s to the 1950s, including Town & Country, Life, Vogue, the original Vanity Fair, and Time.

In 1968, an article in Glamour described Twiggy, Cheryl Tiegs, Veruschka, Jean Shrimpton and fifteen other top models as "supermodels".^[5] The term supermodel gained currency in the 1960s by analogy with Andy Warhol's "Superstars". Of the prominent models of the 1960s, "Twiggy" (Lesley Hornby) is an example of a supermodel of the era, as is Donyale Luna, the first African American model to appear in Vogue. The first African American model to be on the cover ofAmerican Vogue was Beverly Johnson.

[edit] Rise of the Supermodel

In the 1970s, some models became more prominent as their names became more recognizable to the general public. These models included Janice Dickinson - who claims to have coined the term "supermodel" - Cheryl Tiegs, Iman Abdulmajid and Christie Brinkley.

The prominence of supermodels increased in the 1980s, with models such as Claudia Schiffer, Tatjana Patitz, Elle Macpherson, and Cindy Crawford. By the 1990s, which has been called "era of the supermodels", supermodels were prominent in the media. During this period, Linda Evangelista, Naomi Campbell, and Christy Turlington, were called the "trinity" of top supermodels. ^[6] Of the supermodels of this period, Tyra Banks is notable as the first African-American model on the cover of GQ Magazine, the Sports Illustrated "Swimsuit Issue", and the Victoria's Secret catalog. Beverly Peele graced over 250 magazine covers and was first black model on the cover of Mademoiselle Magazine in 1989.

In the 1990s, Kate Moss, a teenager with slim hips, prominent cheekbones, and small breasts, became a popular model. Moss's appearance came to be called the "waif" or "heroin chic" look, which was prominent during the later 1990s.

[edit] The "end" of the supermodel "era"

The decline of supermodel popularity was due, in part, to the increased use of actresses, pop singers, or other celebrities on the covers of fashion magazines and ad campaigns. ^{[7] [8]}

Despite the prior decline, a number of prominent models of the late 1990s and early 21st century are referred to as supermodels, including Gisele Bündchen, Carmen Kass, Heidi Klum,Yfke Sturm, Karolina Kurkova, Laetitia Casta, Kate Moss, Tyra Banks, Adriana Lima , and still Naomi Campbell. More recently, Doutzen Kroes, Robin Arcuri, Daria Werbowy, Julia Stegner, Natalia Vodianova, and Liya Kebede have been described as supermodels.

In the mid-2000s, Australia's Gemma Ward's baby doll-like look inspired a new trend in modeling. Fashion designer Lazaro Hernandez said, "She looked like no one else at the time. She was this alien, and fashion is always looking for newness." Her look became the popular new look among models.^[9] It has inspired a new generation of baby doll-like models such as Vlada Roslyakova, Heather Marks, Lily Cole, Caroline Trentini, and Jessica Stam.

The lingerie company Victoria's Secret gathers today's supermodels, including Heidi Klum, Karolina Kurkova, Gisele Bündchen,Adriana Lima, and formerly Tyra Banks, and its own supermodel Alessandra Ambrosio, in its annual fashion show, which will be televised by CBS, every year. Since 2005, Victoria's Secret is pushing the upcoming models Izabel Goulart and Selita Ebanks, by putting them to the states of above mentioned supermodels.

[edit] Male supermodels

Some male models have been referred to as supermodels, such as Jamie Dornan, Marcus Schenkenberg, Andrew Stetson, Tyson Beckford, Bruno Santos, Massimiliano Neri, Will Chalker, Mathias Lauridsen.

[edit] See also

• Model (person)
• Cover girl
• Beauty
• Body image
• Physical attractiveness
• Self-image
• Popular culture

[edit] References

1. ^ New Model Army by Kate Patrick, The Scotsman May 21, 2005 onlineretrieved July 7, 2006
2. ^ New York Magazine.We Three Queens
3. ^ Janice Dickinson, No Lifeguard: The Accidental Life of the World's First Supermodel, Regan Books, 2003, ISBN 0-060-56617-5
4. ^ The First Supermodel; The World's First Supermodel
5. ^ Cokal, Susann. St. James Encyclopedia of Popular Culture. 1999. Michigan: Gale Group.
6. ^ We Three Queens by Alex Williams, New York online retrieved July 7, 2006
7. ^ Not Just Another Pretty Face: The End of the Supermodel Era by Hilary Rowland, Hilary Magazine online retrieved July 7, 2006
8. ^ Death of the Supermodels by C. L. Johnson, Urban Models October 21, 2002 online retrieved July 13, 2006
9. ^ "Who's that Girl?", "Teen Vogue February 2006 [1] retrieved August 17, 2006