Top Ten Female Supermodels of All Time

(This entry was originally published in this blog December 2008 and it is based on the information of that time.)

You will see them every where. They are the creators and breakers of trends in the fashion industry. They are the ultimate fantasy of every adult male and they are the one who shine on the covers of fashion magazines all over the world. Yes, they are super models. Though the life of a super model is full of glitz and glamor, it is not easy to become a supermodel. There are only handful of models who are considered as supermodels in the world and where ever they go, they rule the media. Here is a list of some of the top supermodels of all time. You know many of them.

First Name: Eva

Last Name: Herzigova

Nationality: Czech

Hair color: Light blonde

Eye color: Blue / green

Date of Birth: March 10, 1973

Place of Birth: Litvinov, Czech Republic

Height: 5′11″

Measurements: (US) 35-25-35.5; (EU) 89-63.5-90

Known as the “Marilyn of the 1990s,” Eva Harzigova started her career at the age of sixteen in 1989. She won a modeling contest for the Madison Agency. Her first high profile campaign was for Guess Jeans. It was her appearance in Wonderbra advertisements that made her very popular. Eva appeared in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Editions in 1997, 1998 and 1999. She also appeared in ‘Prielli Calendar’ in 1996 and 1998. Eva has her own swimsuit collection. Eva appeared in the book ‘A second decade of Guess? Images’. She appeared in two movies: Inferno and Les Anges Guardiens. Inferno was directed by Ellen von Unwerth. In Les Anges Guardiens, Eva appeared with Gerard Depardieu. Eva also appeared in the Victoria’s Secret catalog. She was a member of Thomas Zeumer’s Metropolitan Models. In August 2004, Eva posed nude for ‘Playboy’ in August 2004. In 2006, she was Venus at the 2006 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony. Fluent in Czech, Russian, English and French, Eva enjoys cooking, horseback riding, motorcycle riding, photography, playing tennis, pottery, reading, and travelling.

First Name: Sasha

Last Name: Pivovarova

Hair color: Blonde

Eye color: Blue

Date of Birth: 1986

Height: 5′ 10″ - 1,78m

Measurements: 34-24-34 - 86-61-86

Dress size: (US)4 - (EU)34

Shoe size: (US)8 - (EU)39

Agencies: IMG New York

Known for her horse-like walk, muscular body, small pupils, dark undereyes and feline like features, this Russian model and artist was born in Moscow, Russia. Sasha never dreamed to become a model. It all started in 2005 when Sasha was an art history student at Russian University for the Humanities. Her friend, Igor Vishnyakov, a photographer, took her photos. She felt that she had something special. She sent those photos to IMG, a renowned international modeling agency, and she got her big break. Two weeks later, she walked on the opening for the Prada show in Milan. In one year of modeling, she appeared on two Italian Vogue covers.

She has been consistently appearing in the most prestigious fashion magazines such as, American Vogue, Italian Vogue, French Vogue, British Vogue, Japanese Vogue, Chinese Vogue, W, V Magazine, POP and Numéro. Sasha worked with several renowned photographers. They are: Steven Meisel, Peter Lindberg, Michael Thompson, Mario Sorrenti, Nathaniel Goldberg, Craig McDean, and Paolo Roversi.

Sasha went on to create history by being the face of Prada for 6 consecutive seasons. She was the first model to do so. Till 2008, Sasha appeared in 9 Prada advertisements. Models.com, ranked her the second top fashion model on its list of Top 50 models.

First Name: Lily

Last Name: Donaldson

Nationality: British (English)

Hair color: Blonde

Eye color: Blue

Date of Birth: January, 1987.

Height: 5′10″; 178cm

Measurements: (US) 32.5-25-35; (EU) 82.5-63.5-89

Dress size: (US) 4; (EU) 34

Agencies: IMG New York, IMG Milan, IMG Paris, IMG London.

Major advertisements: Burberry, Chanel, Dior make-up, Jil Sander, Jil Sander ‘Sport’ Fragrance, Lanvin, Miss Sixty, Pringle, Roberto Cavalli, Sportmax, and Top Shop.

Magazine covers: ‘Numéro,’(France), Japanese Vogue, UK Vogue, i-D.

Currently, she is one of the highest paid models. Lily Donaldson was bron to photographer Matthew Donaldson and wife Tiffany. She studied at the Camden School for Girls and lived in Kentish Town with her parents. Donaldson started her modeling career in 2003 at the age of sixteen. She was scouted by Select Model Management while shopping in Camden. She went on to become one of the top models in Britain. Donaldson also became one of the highest paid models. It is said that in 2008, she spent $22 million to purchase a two-bedroom apartment on Tompkins Square Park in New York. Throughout her modeling career, Donaldson did campaigns for renowned fashion houses including Dior, Jil Sander, Burberry and Dolce & Gabbana. In 2005, she was nominated for the Model of the Year award at the British Fashion Awards but lost it to Karen Elson. Donaldson appeared on the May 2007 issue of American Vogue. She appeared on the cover of the magazine with Doutzen Kroes, Caroline Trentini, Raquel Zimmermann, Sasha Pivovarova, Agyness Deyn, Coco Rocha, Hilary Rhoda, Chanel Iman, and Jessica Stam. In May 2008, Donaldson appeared on the front cover of Wound Magazine.

Name: Julia Stegner

Born: November 2, 1984.

Birth place: Munich, Germany

Height: 180 cm (6 ft)

Bust: 85 cm

Waist: 61 cm

Hips: 89 cm

Julia Stegner’s father works as the Central European sales manager for a reputed American Company. Her mother is an accountant. She has an elder sister. Julia was brought up in a family of animal-lovers. Since childhood she saw many dogs in the house. Julia started her career as a child model. For seven years, she worked as a child model and appeared in various television commercials and children’s catalogs. She also studied dancing for nine years. In her high school years, Julia became interested in playing basketball and joined a club team in Munich. Her height gave her major advantage in the game. Her classmates jokingly called her “Bean Bar.”

On her 15^th Birthday she was discovered by a talent scout. She was first booked by Tilla Lindig, a Munich and London based couture label. Earlier, Stegner wanted to study accounting but then she changed her goal and went to Paris to become a model. She made her first cover appearance for ELLE magazine. Later she was signed up by Supreme Management and in four months she walked on the opening show of fall 2003 Yves Saint Laurent show. That same year, Stegner did Strenesse and Sportmax campaigns and appeared on the cover French Vogue, Italian Vogue, German Vogue and Nippon Vogue. Within 2004, she did ads for Celine, Yves Saint Laurent, Dolce & Gabbana, Ralph Lauren, and Dior. Stegner was also chosen as the house model of Hugo Boss fore several seasons.

Name: Naomi Campbell

Born: May 22, 1970.

Birth place: London, UK

Hair color: Black

Eye color: Brown

Height: 176 cm

Bust: 86 cm

Waist: 61 cm

Hips: 87 cm

Well, I do not think I need to introduce you to this lady. She is a gorgeous model and a feisty lady. Several times, Naomi Campbell made it to the headlines for throwing things and verbally abusing people. Campbell’s father left her mother, Valerie immediately after her birth. Naomi studied ballet since she was ten years old. Campbell made her first public appearance at the age of seven in February 1978, in a music video of Bob Marley’s song, “Is this love?” In 1982, Naomi appeared in her second music video, on the song “I’ll Tumble 4 Ya” by Culture. She performed as a tap dancer. At the age of 15, when Naomi was a student at the Italia Conti Academy, she was spotted by Beth Boldt, a former Ford model and head of the Synchro model agency. Soon Naomi Campbell became a full-time model and signed up with Elite Model Management. She started her career as a cat-walk model and then got to work in some high profile advertisements including Lee Jeans and Olympus Corporation. These advertisements introduced her to the American people. She also did assignments for Ralph Lauren and François Nars. In 1986, at the age of 15, Campbell appeared on the cover of Elle. In 1988, she appeared on the cover of French Vogue. She was the first black girl to appear on the cover page of the magazine. She also became the first model cover-girl of Vogue UK, Vogue Nippon and Time magazine. Naomi posed nude for Playboy magazine. In 1992, Naomi Campbell also appeared in Madonna’s book titled “Sex.” In total, Campbell appeared in more than 500 magazine covers.

Name: Kate Moss

Date of birth: January 16, 1974 (age 34)

Place of birth: Addiscombe, Croydon, London, England

Height: 5′ 8″ / 172.72 cm

Bust: 34 B

Waist: 26″ / 66.04 cm

Hips: 35.5″ / 90.17 cm

Shoes: 6.5

Hair colour: Blonde Light

Hair length: Mid-Length

Eyes: Hazel

Modeling agencies: D Management Group, Marilyn Agency,

IMG Models-New York.

This English model is truly an “ICON” in modeling and fashion industry. Famous business magazine, Forbes, ranked her second on its list of 15 richest supermodels. Kate earns $9 million per year. Till now, Kate Moss appeared on more than 300 magazine covers. Kate has an unusual tiny frame and small height. Kate Moss was discovered by Sarah Doukas, founder, Storm Model Management, in 1988, at JFK Airport in New York. She was returning from her holiday in the Bahamas. Moss’s first photoshoot was black and white made for “The Face,” a British magazine. It was styled by Melanie Ward. Kate Moss became the anti-super model of the 1990s for her waif-like body structure compared to contemporary supermodels such as Cindy Crawford, Claudia Schiffer, and Naomi Campbell, who had curvaceous and tall figures. In 2004, Moss was voted 8^th in the Celebrity Sleuths 25 Sexiest Women of 2004, 8^th in Maxims 50 Sexiest Women of 1999 and 22^nd in FHM 100 Sexiest Women of 1995. Men’s magazine, “Arena,” named her as their Sexiest Women in their 150^th issue. Kate is also notorious for her partying lifestyle and high-profile relationships.

First Name: Claudia

Last Name: Schiffer

Nationality: German

Hair color: Blonde

Eye color: Blue

Date of birth: August 25, 1970

Place of birth: Rheinburg, Germany

Height: 5′11″; 180.5cm

Measurements: (US) 37-24.5-36; (EU) 94-62-91.5

Dress size: (US) 6; (EU) 36

Shoe size: (US) 9; (EU) 41

Mother agency: Model Management - Hamburg

Agencies: Elite Model Management - New York

One Management

Independent - former ICM Models

Elite Model Management - Paris

Artform - Tel Aviv

Advertisements: Accessorize, Airfield, Alma Couture, Apriori, Airfield, Atelier Versace, Balmain, Bendon, Bergdorff Goodman, Betty Barclay, Blumarine, Bulgari, Byblos, Caro Cuore, Carrera y Carrera, Chanel, Chanel ‘Cristalle’ & ‘n°5′ perfume, Chanel Cruise, Chaumet perfume, Chloé, Christ Jewellry, Christian Dior, Citroën, Club Med, Coccapani, Cue Design, Dillards, Dolce & Gabbana, Dolce & Gabbana Resort, Dom Pèrignon, Ebel Watches, El Corte Ingles, Emporio Armani, Escada, Fanta, Fendi.

Claudia Schiffer’s blue eye, blonde hair, tall figure would turn heads of any man. Being the daughter of a lawyer, she wanted to follow her father’s footsteps but changed her decision after being approached by Michel Levaton, boss of Metropolitan Model Angency. They met in a nightclub in Düsseldorf in October 1987. After completing her education, Claudia started working as a model. She went to Paris for a trial photo shoot and ended up appearing in the cover of French Elle. This was followed by appearances in several other top fashion magazines. Claudia got her super model status after being selected by Karl Largefeld to become the new face of Chanel. Schiffer became very much popular in the 1990s in USA after appearing in the ad campaign of Guess? jeans. Because of Claudia Guess became much more known around the world. After the campaign her name was launched worldwide as she appeared on five magazine covers in USA and seven in Europe. Claudia then joined Thomas Zeumer’s Metropolitan Models and signed up by Revlon. She also worked for several catalogues and appeared on high profile catwalk shows including for Versace, Jil Sander, Dolce & Gabbana, Ralph Lauren and Valentino.[2][5][9] Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone. Claudia Schiffer became the first model to appear on the covers of People and The New York Times. She also appeared on the covers of Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Cosmopolitan and Times.

Name: Heidi Klum

Birth date: June 1, 1973.

Place of birth: Bergisch Gladbach, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.

Height: 5 ft 9.25 in (1.76 m).

Hair color: Blonde (coloured; naturally brunette)

Measurements: 89-62-90

Weight: 57 kg (130 lb/9.0 st)

Heidi Klum is not only a model but also an actress, TV presenter, business woman, fashion designer, television production and sings occasionally. She was also nominated for Emmy Award for hosting “Project Runway” and “Germany’s Next Topmodel.” She became famous as a model of Victoria’s Secret. For Klum it all started in 1991 when her friend, Karin persuaded her to fill out a magazine coupon to enroll for the national contest ‘Model 92.’ The winners will be shown on the Gottschalk Late Night Show, a top German television show similar to America’s David Letterman. Klum was voted the winner out of 25,000 contestants in April 29, 1992. Few months after graduating from school, she was offered a modeling contract worth $300,000. After getting the contract she changed her decision to apply for an apprentice position at a fashion design school. Klum appeared on the covers of some of the top fashio magazines including Vogue, ELLE and Marie Claire. She became very popular after she appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue for her work with Victoria’s Secret as an “angel.”

Alessandra Ambrosio:

The Brazilian model is well-known as one of the Victoria’s Secret Angles and was their first spokesmodel for the company’s PINK line. She first came into limelight when she was signed as one of the angles of Victoria’s Secret, a retailer of women’s wear and beauty products in the U.S., in 2004, four years after she walked the runway for the first time in Victoria’s Secret annual fashion show.

Born on April 11, 1981 in a small town of Erechim, Brazil, Alessandra Ambrosio decided to become a model at the age of 8 after seeing Karen Mulder, a top covergirl, in a magazine and started attending modeling classes at the age of 12, a year after she had undergone a cosmetic surgery to get her ears pinned back, and her first modeling assignment was with Dilson Stein when she was 15. She got media attention in Brazil when she won Brazil’s Elite Model Look and her first breakthrough modeling assignment came when she made the cover of Elle magazine in Brazil.

Since then, Alessandra Ambrosio worked for many widely famous brands including Revlon, Christian Dior, Giorgio Armani, Rolex, Oscar de la Renta, Gucci, Escada, Rocco Barocco, Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren. The super-model was also featured in Pirelli Calendar. In her career, Ambrosio walked the ramp for many famous designers including Laura Biagiotti, Christian Lacroix, Byblos, Fendi, Issey Miyake, Kenzo, Christian Dior, Nicole Miller, Ralph Lauren, Giorgio Armani, Vivienne Westwood, Oscar de la Renta and many others. The Brazilian supermodel has made the cover of many international magazines like Cosmopolitan, Elle, GQ, Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire, Ocean Drive, Vogue and in 2006, she was the only model to be featured in the cover of Glamour in the U.S. She launched her own line of swimwear named Alessandra Ambrosio by Sais in 2004 and 10,000 units were sold in the first month of its launch. In 2007, Ambrosio was one of the 100 Most Beautiful People in the World, according to People magazine. She is also one of the top-earning models in the world. She also appeared in many television shows including HBO’s Entourage, The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn; Late Night with Conan O’Brien. She appeared as a judge on Project Runway season 2: Team Lingerie and The Tyra Banks Show. The beautiful model was also appeared in a cameo role in the super-hit movie Casino Royale.

Doutzen Kroes:

Doutzen Kroes is one of top-rated models in the world at this moment. Kroes has appeared in the cover page of many world famous magazines including Time, Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and Numéro and signed a number of contracts with many famous companies to promote their products. The Dutch model was handed a prestigious contract by Victoria’s Secret, a popular women’s wear and beauty products retailer in America, as one of its angles in 2008. Working for Victoria’s Secret since 2004, Kroes walked the runaway of famous annual fashion show of Victoria’s Secret in 2005, 2006 and 2008.

The year 2005 was a breakthrough year for Doutzen Kroes as she first shot to fame as supermodel that year. Kroes replaced American actress Scarlett Johansson to become the spokesmodel of Calvin Klein “Eternity” fragrance campaign in August 2005 and also walked the runway of Victoria’s Secret annual fashion show for the first time and appeared in company’s catalog regularly. The same year, Doutzen Kroes was named as “Model of The Year” by online vote on Vogue.com. L’Oréal Paris signed her for three years in April 2006. She still appears in the company’s commercials besides Eva Longoria and Kerry Washington. Doutzen Kroes worked for many other brands including Gucci, Tommy Hilfiger, Escada, Dolce & Gabbana, Valentino, Versace and Neiman Marcus so far. Forbes magazine ranked her at 14^th in their list of World’s 15 Top-Earning Supermodels in July 2007 on the basis of Doutzen Kroes’s estimated earning of $1.5 million in the previous 12 months. She broke into top five in April 2008 with $6 million of estimated earning. Kroes currently has contracts with DNA Models.

Born on 23 January 1985 in Oostermeer, Netherlands, Doutzen Kroes came into modeling after completing her graduation. A documentary was made on Doutzen Kroes by Omrop Fryslân in 2006 which won NL-Award in the best regional documentary category.