The Top '90s Supermodels Who Forever Changed the Fashion Game
From Naomi Campbell to Shalow Harlow, these '90s supermodels changed the face of fashion forever.
Although names such as Gigi Hadid, Bella Hadid, Precious Lee, and Kendall Jenner attract attention in today's world, more than 20 years ago, it was names such as Kate Moss, Linda Evangelista, Naomi Campbell, and Cindy Crawford that ruled the modeling industry. Even while there's a new generation of models taking over the catwalks, the OG mainstream supermodels forever changed the fashion industry and their eternal and continuously influential legacy will never be topped.
From their personal style to their iconic runway moments, we examine the top '90s supermodels who defined the decade and still shape fashion today.
There's no question that when it comes to the catwalk, Naomi Campbell dominated (and continues to in the modern day). As one of the few Black models who held such immense status during the '90s, she not only influenced fashion style-wise, but she used to career to advocate for racial diversity on the runway alongside icons such as Iman and Bethann Hardison.
Cindy Crawford's natural glamour and beauty mark set her apart from other prominent supermodels of the '90s as she quickly became a fixture on the runways for many high fashion brands throughout the decade. While she no longer is a mainstay on the catwalk, her daughter Kaia Garber has followed in her mother's footsteps as she is forging her own path in the modeling world.
Known as one of fashion's biggest chameleons, Linda Evangelista's life changed when she moved to New York in 1984 from Canada. No matter what hairstyle, color, or cut she was working with, she always pulled it off and became a household name starring across numerous campaigns and fronting endless magazine covers. She was also considered a muse to Chanel's late Karl Lagerfeld as well as Gianna Versace.
Kate Moss, who started her modeling career at the age of 16, was initially thought to be too short to ever make notable headway in the industry. However, she defied all odds after her 1992 Calvin Klein campaign with Marky Mark which put her name on the map, and since went on to be one of fashion's greatest icons.
Tyra Banks made history as the first Black model front the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. She started her career in the high-fashion, editorial world, later securing gigs with labels such as Victoria's Secret. The ultimate model mogul, Banks is best known in the greater cultural zeitgeist for her hit reality competition show America's Next Top Model, which came to an end in 2018.
Discovered in Germany, Claudia Schiffer became a fashion favorite with long blonde hair and luscious lips. She was a muse for Karl Lagerfeld who put her as the face of Chanel and would secure gigs fronting every magazine cover imaginable — including L'OFFICIEL Paris December 1993.
Canadian model Shalom Harlow secured her place in the fashion history books during Alexander McQueen's Spring/Summer 1999 show when she spun on the catwalk as robots spraypainted her strapless dress. But even before that historic moment, Harlow was praised for fluid movement and form (which can be partly attributed to her prior background as a ballerina).
Considered one of the Big Six models of the '90s, Christy Turlington became widely known for her ethereal beauty and effortlessly elegant style. In recent years, she has turned her focus to giving attention to humanitarian causes such as her non-profit Every Mom Counts.
