Once upon a time in the land of the 90s, there were six beautiful supermodels and they reigned supreme over all the catwalks, tabloids, and magazine covers. They dated rock stars, partied their pants off, didn't get out of bed for less than $10,000 a day and they were much more glamorous than the boring old movie stars. They were notoriously referred to as the "Big Six." You might remember them as Christy Turlington, Linda Evangelista, Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Claudia Schiffer and Kate Moss.
One day, something called reality TV came out of nowhere and entranced us with its trashy filth and utter hot messiness. Turns out, real-life headcases are more interesting to watch than glamazons with divatude. Nowadays, Vogue is more likely to put Snooki on its cover than a model, because believe it or not, it would probably sell more magazines.
Models are now only known well by the fashion worshippers among us. So, without further ado, let me introduce you to the best catwalk queens in the industry in the hopes that you will choose to pay more attention to these ethereal creatures instead of pregnant Kardashians or pickle eating carnival freaks.
Natasha Poly (b. July 12, 1985)
Height: 5'10"
Measurements: 33-24-34
Hometown: Perm, Russia
Campaigns: Alberta Feretti, Blumarine, D&G, Dolce & Gabbana, Givenchy, Gucci , Jil Sander , Jimmy Choo, La Perla, Louis Vuitton, Max Mara, Missoni, Nina Ricci, Ralph Lauren, Roberto Cavalli, Balmain, Gucci Fragrance, Philosophy, TSE
What's special about her: In 2004, her breakout year, she walked in 54 runway shows. She has scored French Vogue's cover five times and she has walked in the Victoria Secret runway show twice.
Chanel Iman (b. November 30, 1989)
Height: 5'10.5"
Measurements: 32-23-34
Hometown: Atlanta, GA, US
Campaigns: Bottega Veneta, DKNY, Dolce & Gabbana, Ralph Lauren, Gap, Jean Paul Gaultier, DSquared2
What's special about her: Her name came from her mother's favorite designer and model.
Lara Stone (b. December 20, 1983)
Height: 5'10"
Measurements: 34-24-35"
Hometown: Geldrop, Netherlands
Campaigns: Calvin Klein, Chloe, DKNY, Eres, Givenchy, H&M, Hugo Boss, Jil Sander , Levi's, Louis Vuitton, Max Mara, Miss Sixty, Zara, Belstaff, Jean Paul Gaultier, Nicole Farhi, DSquared2, Replay Jeans
What's special about her: She singlehandedly brought curves back to high fashion by giving those waifs a run for their money.
Karlie Kloss (b. August 3rd, 1992)
Height: 5'11"Measurements: 32-23-33"
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Campaigns: Christian Dior, See by Chloe, Marc Jacobs Lola Fragrance, Hermes, Bvlgari fragrance, Dolce & Gabbana, Yves Saint Laurent Cosmetics
She's special because: At the ripe old age of 17 years old, this girl is an industry veteran. Also, did you see that Vogue editorial where she's wearing a swimsuit in a NYC blizzard? And she looks like she's having fun? That's what you call a PRO.
Height: 5'9"
Measurements: 38-30-42
Hometown: Miami, FL
Campaigns: Dolce & Gabbana, Torrid, Lane Bryant, Evans
She's special because: She's the most famous plus size model right now. Probably the most successful cross-over model as well. She recently has walked in high fashion runway shows, including Chanel.
Dree Hemingway (b. December 4, 1987)
Height: 5'9"
Measurements: 32-23-34
Hometown: Sun Valley, ID, US
Campaigns: Chanel, Abercrombie & Fitch, DKNY, Gianfranco Ferré
What's special about her: She's Ernest Hemingway's great-granddaughter!
Daria Werbowy (b. November 19, 1983)
Height: 5'11"Measurements: 34-24-33.5"
Hometown: Toronto, Canada
Campaigns: Prada, Chanel, Gucci, Versace, Louis Vuitton, Valentino, Hermes, Dior, David Yurman, Jean-Paul Gaultier, H&M, Yves Saint Laurent, Missoni, Isabel Marant, Roberto Cavalli, Lancome
What's special about her: She has appeared on six covers of Italian Vogue. She now resides in NYC and is an avid sailor.
Jac (b. January 15, 1994)
Height: 5'10"Measurements: 32.5-22.5-34"
Hometown: Poland
Campaigns: Calvin Klein
What's special about her: This one is a newbie, but Jac is taking the fashion world by storm. For Fall 2010, she opened for the holy trinity of American runways: Donna, Calvin and Ralph! Style.com just featured her as one of its top 10 rising stars.
Georgia May Jagger (b. January 12, 1992)
Hometown: London, England
Height: 5'7"
Campaigns: Chanel, Versace, Hudson Jeans, Rimmel
What's special about her: She's the spawn of Rolling Stone Mick Jagger and Supermodel Jerry Hall
Freja Beha Erichsen (b. October 18, 1987)
Height: 5'10"
Measurements: 31-23.5-33.5"
Hometown: Roskilde, Denmark
Campaigns: Balenciaga, Chanel, Valentino, Hugo Boss, Jil Sander, Gucci, H&M, Pringle of Scotland, Karl Lagerfeld, MaxMara, Hermes, Chloe, Roberto Cavalli
She's special because: Known for her edgy, androgynous appearance, Freja has 16 tattoos.
Abbey Lee Kershaw (b. June 12, 1987)
Height: 5'10"
Measurements: 32-23-32"
Hometown: Melbourne, Australia
Campaigns: Chanel, Gucci , H&M, Karl Lagerfeld, Mulberry, Gucci Fragrance
She's special because: You'll see her in the upcoming Fall/Winter 2010 Chanel ads. Abbey Lee has also modeled twice for the Victoria Secret fashion show.
So now that you've read up on all the hottest models... who's your fave? Let me know in the comments!
