1940s — Dorian Leigh & Bettina Graziani
Dorian Leigh
With her bold attitude, intelligence, and extreme confidence, Dorian Leigh defied all expectations. She was a single mother of two, barely 5”5’, and (at 27 years old) was much older than most models of the time, but none of that stopped her! In 1944, she waltzed into a modeling agency and — with sheer confidence — secured herself a modeling contract.
Dorian Leigh was an instant success, and she went on to become one of the first supermodels ever! Known for her brains as much as her beauty, Leigh went to night school while modeling and graduated NYU with a degree in medical engineering. She was well-known for her iconic zig-zag eyebrows and working with Revlon — and she was one of the major influences for Holly Golightly in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.”
Bettina Graziani
With her trademark playful smirk and freckled face, Bettina Graziani was considered the undisputed leader of the post-war era and was one of the highest paid models of the time. She was known for being very elegant and graceful, with a fast, peppy model walk. She modeled many types of feminine veils throughout the course of her career, but when she was off duty, she mainly sported menswear, especially the ultra-practical men’s pants.
Even though she was dubbed the “most photographed woman in France,” Graziani was more than a model. She was also a successful poet, composer, and a designer of knitwear, herself!
1950s — Dovima & Barbara Mullen
Dovima
Dorothy Virginia Margaret Juba (“Dovima”) was first scouted on the streets of New York City — even though she had a broken front tooth at the time! As a ploy to help hide her broken tooth, Dovima developed what became known as her closed-lipped, haughty “Mona Lisa” smile — her signature look.
With her aristocratic style, regal grace, and poised panther-like look, Dovima went on to become, not only the highest paid model of her time, but also the first to be known by a single name. The famous photographer, Richard Avedon, called her “the most remarkable and unconventional beauty of her time.” She was even dubbed the “Dollar a Minute Girl” because she was paid $60 an hour at a time when most top models were only making $25!
Barbara Mullen
Known as the model who evaded fame, not much is known about Barbara Mullen, even though she was one of the greatest and most widely casted models of the time. Her birthday, height, and personal life remain a mystery to this day.
What we do know about “The Replacement Girl” (as she was affectionately called after catching her big break by standing in for a shoot with Lillian Bassman) is that she was a street-smart, foul-mouthed, tough-to-the-core New Yorker of Irish descent. She was often called “belle laide” or “ugly pretty”, because her proportions did not fit the “traditional” beauty standards. However, her body was made to fit in the clothes of the era, and she was considered even more beautiful through the lens of a camera.
Currently titled The Replacement Girl: A Life in 24 Frames, a writer is working on a biography to shine a light on the forgotten fashion icon that will give her a voice and memorialize her contribution to fashion.
1960s — Twiggy & Hiroko Matsumoto
Twiggy
Lesley Lawson was given the now iconic nickname “Twiggy” (or “Twigs” to her friends) for her thin, twig-like frame. Her signature dramatic eyelashes, which she dubbed “twiggies,” consisted of three pairs of false lashes (on top of each other) applied to her upper lids and extra lashes painted onto the skin beneath her eyes.
Twiggy became an English cultural icon known for wearing the bold, vibrant colors that defined ‘60s style — and she was the first to represent androgynous style so prominently. She is a strong advocate for animal rights and has been very outspoken about the pressures models face in the industry. Today, she is considered fashion royalty and in 2019 was awarded the British order of chivalry for her contribution to fashion and the arts — Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
Hiroko Matsumoto
With her blunt bangs and experimental style, Hiroko Matsumoto was the first Japanese model to break into the prestigious Paris fashion scene and is considered to be the first Japanese supermodel. She was a chameleon in front of the camera, willing to completely transform herself for the shot, and was known as a “visual storyteller” in her pictures.
Matsumoto frequently and unapologetically went to extremes with her style choices, not just in her pictures, but in everyday life. From excessive plumage and polka-dots, to dripping with pearls and furs, Matsumoto strived to overturn the “passive muse” stereotype in her work, all the while paving the way for Asian women everywhere in both the fashion and entertainment industry.
1970s — Christie Brinkley & Marisa Berenson
Christie Brinkley
Before appearing on the cover of Sports Illustrated and gaining worldwide fame, Christie Brinkley was an art student studying in Paris. She was discovered by an American photographer, and her rapid rise to fame foretold the coming of a new genre of models — the fitness model — who would be photographed in sports/swimwear rather than only traditional couture fashion.
Brinkley was known for her athletic-physique and her beachy blonde, surfer-girl hair. She had an effortless, all-American look and was more physically fit than most models of the time. Today, she is a successful entrepreneur with her own line of skin care and brand of still wines.
Marisa Berenson
Marisa Berenson was the quintessential flower child of the ‘70s, despite never doing drugs. Berenson was originally born to socialite parents — though her parents stopped supporting her once she became a model — and is fluent in five languages, most of which she picked up by attending different boarding schools throughout Europe.
Berenson was a mystical, nature-loving free-spirit, and she had a magical, magnetic quality about her. People were naturally drawn to her. She was the first to do a nude shoot for Vogue, and today is known for her health & wellness lifestyle and spiritual practices of yoga and meditation.
1980s — Christy Turlington & Iman
Christy Turlington
Christy Turlington is a goddess who has graced more than 500 magazine covers. She signed a seven-figure contract with Calvin Klein when she was only twenty and is also known as one of the major faces of Maybelline Cosmetics. She was known throughout the fashion world for her healthy, casual style, often wearing little to no makeup at all, and she was christened by the Metropolitan Museum of Art as the “Face of the Twentieth Century”.
Near the end of her modeling career, Turlington graduated NYU with dual degrees in comparative religion and eastern philosophy. She is also a strong advocate for pregnant women, and founded Every Mother Counts in 2010, an organization dedicated to reducing the maternal mortality rate and improving maternal health.
Iman
Before Iman became a global sensation and the first black supermodel, she was a Somalian refugee who had grown up in both Saudi Arabia and Egypt. The daughter of a diplomat and a doctor, political unrest in Somalia caused her father to relocate his family to Kenya. While Inman was studying there, she was discovered by an American photographer who asked to take her photograph. She believed it to be a scam, but remembered her mother’s words: Don’t be afraid to ask for what you want. She asked for payment equal to the price of her tuition — and he agreed.
Inman is known for her total grace and elegance, but she comes from a strong family that was active in many humanitarian causes and taught her to value intellect over beauty. When she saw that make-up artists at her shoots didn’t have foundation appropriate for her skin tone, she created her own. She eventually launched her own skincare and makeup line, IMAN Cosmetics, catering directly to women of color, and Iman continues today to pave the way for other WOC, calling for more diversity on the runway with all the major brands.
1990s — Tyra Banks & Cindy Crawford
Tyra Banks
Before she became one of the most well-known supermodels of the decade, Tyra Banks was considered the “ugly duckling” by her schoolmates and often made fun of for her appearance. Despite the childhood teasing, Banks’ career skyrocketed! She is best known as the face of Covergirl Cosmetics, one of the original Victoria Secret models, and the much-loved host of America’s Next Top Model.
Banks coined the “smize” — smiling with your eyes — that became her signature look. She was one of the first African American women to be featured on the covers of GQ and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, and she co-founded the Tyra Banks TZONE Foundation to help with the advancement of opportunities for lower-income and disadvantaged girls.
Cindy Crawford
Known for her down-to-earth demeanor, savvy business skills, and healthy, athletic physique, Cindy Crawford is one of the biggest inspirations to the models of today. Originally, she graduated valedictorian from her high school and earned a full academic scholarship to Northwestern University to study chemical engineering, but later dropped out to pursue modeling full-time.
Her iconic trademark face mole was never airbrushed out of photos and sparked a change in international beauty standards of what was deemed a “flaw.” Because of her brother’s untimely death from leukemia at the age of three, Crawford often donated many of her proceeds to charity in an effort to combat childhood leukemia.
2000s — Gisele Bündchen & Miranda Kerr
Gisele Bündchen
Before she was one of the highest paid models in the world, Gisele Bündchen was bullied in school for being too tall and too skinny. She was rejected many times before earning her big break at an Alexander McQueen runway show. Fluent in four languages, she was dubbed the “Brazilian Bombshell” and became a Victoria’s Secret Model in the early 2000s before securing contracts with other top brands like Chanel.
Presently, Bündchen has been very open about her struggle with panic attacks, anxiety, and depression. She’s a strong advocate for healthy, holistic lifestyles and firmly believes that by taking care of yourself and nourishing your body on the inside, you will achieve outer beauty as well.
Miranda Kerr
Miranda Kerr was raised by a teen mom and began modeling when she was only 13 years old. She studied nutrition and health psychology before her rise to fame as the first Australian Victoria’s Secret Angel. She became the face of H&M and has also graced the front of multiple international Vogue covers.
Kerr, known for her fresh face and cute dimples, has since founded her own organic skin care line, KORA Organics, and authored a collection of inspirational self-help books for teens focusing on self-care and improving self-esteem.
2010s — Anok Yai & Kendall Jenner
Anok Yai
Born in Egypt and coming to America as a South Sudan refugee, Anok Yai was discovered when a photographer posted a picture of her on Instagram, which immediately went viral and attracted the attention of multiple modeling agencies. She became the first Sudanese model to open a Prada show in 2018 and turned into one of the most sought-after models of the 2010s in only a few short years.
Currently, Yai is pursuing modeling part-time while studying biochemistry at Plymouth State University, pursuing her dream of becoming a doctor. She loves art, playing basketball, and surrounding herself with strong, passionate, and creative people.
Kendall Jenner
Kendall Jenner is a well-known socialite from a very famous family. She started modeling when she was only 14, but really rose to fame from her family’s TV show, Keeping Up with the Kardashians. As of 2017, Jenner is the world’s highest paid model and has worked with a multitude of well-known brands like Victoria’s Secret and Chanel.
Jenner has been very open about her struggles with OCD and anxiety and works actively to help de-stigmatize all mental health issues. One of her biggest fashion inspirations is Cindy Crawford (who’s also on this list!)