In the realm of supermodels, there exists an iconic image that forever changed the industry. It was a snapshot of Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Tatjana Patitz, Christy Turlington, and Cindy Crawford, captured by the talented Peter Lindberg for Vogue’s January 1990 cover. Now, 33 years later, this legendary image has been resurrected for September’s issue of the magazine, with the cover line proclaiming them “The Greatest of All Time.” Unfortunately, Tatjana Patitz, who sadly passed away earlier this year, is absent from this recreation.
These four remarkable women, now in their fifties, will also be featured in an upcoming documentary called “The Super Models,” set to be released on Apple TV in September. Through this documentary, they will reflect on the late 1980s and early 90s, a pivotal period in their modeling careers.
In a feature article accompanying the magazine, readers are given a glimpse into what this era meant for these supermodels, particularly after their appearances in George Michael’s music video for “Freedom! ’90,” which featured all five of them. The video garnered immense attention and further skyrocketed their fame. They even closed the Versace fashion show, lip-syncing to the song as they confidently strode down the runway, joined in solidarity.
The consequences of fame were undeniably life-changing for Campbell. She recalls a time when paparazzi captured her outside a Narcotics Anonymous meeting in 2001, leading to a sense of shame surrounding her recovery. Campbell emphasizes that discussing such matters requires readiness and acceptance, rather than concealment.
More recently, these supermodels have made headlines for various reasons. Evangelista shared her experience with a fat-freezing treatment, CoolSculpting, which left her with permanent deformities. She also spoke about the psychological impact of the botched surgery. Campbell, on the other hand, proudly announced the births of her two children in 2021 and 2023, all while continuing to grace the catwalks for acclaimed designers such as Valentino and Off White. Crawford, too, holds her place in the limelight, as she is the mother of the immensely popular model Kaia Gerber.
Collectively, these four women, alongside Patitz, Helena Christensen, and Claudia Schiffer, were the pioneers who transcended the boundaries of the fashion industry and became international celebrities. Their demand skyrocketed in the 90s, and Evangelista famously quipped, “we don’t wake up for less than $10,000 a day.”
It is essential to note that the supermodels navigated their careers in a pre-#MeToo era. They collaborated with renowned photographers such as Bruce Weber, Patrick Demarchelier, and Terry Richardson, who have faced accusations of sexual misconduct. Remarkably, all four women claim to have avoided such exploitation. Crawford suggests that her modest background shielded her from potential harm, as she chose not to partake in certain social gatherings. Campbell, however, bravely addressed the racism she encountered within the fashion industry, questioning why she received less pay despite performing the same job as her colleagues. She also recalls being booked for shows but excluded from advertisement campaigns. Her strength came from her Jamaican heritage and being part of a lineage of empowered Black women who encouraged her to speak up when something felt wrong.
Although there have been other notable models in the industry, such as Kate Moss and Gisele Bundchen, the presence of these supermodels has always remained prominent and captivating to consumers. In 2017, Versace ignited an online frenzy when Campbell, Crawford, Christensen, Schiffer, and Carla Bruni made a spectacular appearance during the brand’s catwalk show.
Kim Jones, Fendi’s artistic director, succinctly attests to their allure and marketability. “Put them in [an advertising] campaign and they sell,” he asserts in the Vogue article.
The forthcoming documentary, self-produced by these iconic models, is sure to capitalize on the widespread interest in their generation, opening doors to new opportunities.
The stunning Vogue covers were meticulously styled by Edward Enninful, the current editor-in-chief of British Vogue. Although he will step down from his role in March, he will continue his association with Condé Nast as Vogue’s global creative and cultural adviser, as well as serving as an editorial adviser at British Vogue. Speculation abounds that Enninful is poised to replace Anna Wintour at US Vogue when the esteemed editor-in-chief ultimately departs. Enninful’s Editor’s Letter in the September issue only reinforces their bond and collaboration.
“For such a momentous occasion, my esteemed co-conspirator Anna Wintour – editor-in-chief of American Vogue and Condé Nast’s chief content officer – and I came to a resounding agreement,” Enninful writes. “We simply had to feature the legendary quartet simultaneously on the covers of both British and American Vogues.”
In summary, these supermodels continue to captivate and inspire, leaving an indelible mark on the fashion industry. Their collective influence spans decades, and their enduring appeal confirms their status as icons.
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