Supermodels

What is the difference between a 'model' and a 'supermodel'?

The term 'supermodel' refers to a well-paid high-fashion model that has worked on an international plain and who has an impressive portfolio working with the world's leading fashion designers. Supermodels tend to have multi-million dollar modeling contracts with several modeling agencies around the world.

When a model starts to be known for their name or for a brand that their name represents, that's when they have moved on to a new level of modeling. Supermodels tend to be more than just pretty faces fronting magazines and dominating the catwalks. They have personalities and presence, and they are respected not just for their talent as models, but also for their ability and success in making it into the exclusive list of the top earners in the industry.

The term 'supermodel' started to be used more extensively in the 1960's and 70's with models like Twiggy, who was one of the first models to be referred to as a supermodel. Soon thereafter, 'supermodel' was used to refer to those models who were the most well-known and the most desired in the business.

Some famous female super models of our time include models such as Twiggy, Cindy Crawford, Claudia Schiffer, Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss and Gisele Bundchen, to name a few. And some male supermodels include Tyson Beckford, Marcus Schenkenberg, Hoyt Richards, Antonio Sabàto Jr., Mark Vanderloo and Michael Bergin.

Due to the abundance of models today, the competition to become a supermodel is even tougher. The modeling industry has always been a competitive field, and with new models surfacing at an increasingly rapid rate, the competition is becoming fiercer. Only a handful of models achieve supermodel-status. But one thing is for sure; once you do make it to the top, you can rest assured that the work comes to you and not the other way round, for you have secured a place among the elite of the business: supermodels.


‹‹ Modeling Advice

Join the best modelling community