Two recent releases on the legends of modelling have recently hit the world’s bookshelves. Whose is best? It would be difficult for us at FIB to be non-biased as one of the books happens to be Fashion Industry Broadcast’s own, Top Models Vol 60 ‘Supermodels‘, by author and model Sylvie Darchenko. The other is ‘Models of Influence’ by top fashion photographer and former America’s Next Top Model judge, Nigel Barker.
Only when her name is household-common and her face triggers a recall of that name does a model become an icon. And the real achievement of all of these women in both Barker’s and Darchenko’s books, aside from breaking new ground, is that a bonafide celebrity has been borne out of a standard modelling contract.
Not just Top Models, they’ve all become supermodels and forever entered a new pantheon of legends.
Barker’s recently published book, ‘Models of Influence’, details the most significant models in history, going back to the 1940’s, and continuing until the present day. Among the selected few that made Barker’s cut are the notable Twiggy, Iman and Janice Dickinson. From the age of the supermodel: Naomi Campbell, Amber Valetta and Kate Moss as well as models of the present and future, including Coco Rocha, Cara Delevigne, Karlie Kloss and Joan Smalls.
The title specifies what it is that sets each of these models apart, making her the incredible commodity that she is today – her je ne sais quoi.
With Fashion Month upon us, the topic of “Top Models” is ever-present. Everybody has their own opinion on who is leading the way, including Models.com and Style.com as well as the team here at Fashion Industry Broadcast.
Where Barker covers a lot more names over more years, FIB has gone for the trusty Top 10 countdown format.
All of the women who made Fashion Industry Broadcast’s Top 10 Supermodels are remarkable. They became as vital to their chosen profession as they did to popular culture. That is the true measure of supermodeldom. They each helped define the fashion style and look of beauty in their decade.
This was how FIB’s book saw it:
10. TWIGGY
9. ELLE MACPHERSON
8. IMAN
7. LINDA EVANGELISTA
6. CLAUDIA SCHIFFER
5. NAOMI CAMPBELL
4. CHRISTY TURLINGTON
3. CHRISTIE BRINKLEY
2. GISELLE BUNDCHEN
1. CINDY CRAWFORD
See more in Fashion Industry Broadcast’s TOP MODELS Volume 60 ‘Supermodels‘.