The fashion trends in the 1990s were colorful and eccentric, and these were further popularized when they were worn by some of the most iconic fashion models of that decade. To know more, here is a list of the most popular fashion models of the 1990s.
Naomi Campbell
Naomi Campbell is an English fashion model who began her career at the age of 15, although she originally intended to be a dancer before venturing into modeling. She was one of the few people in the early 1990s who was declared a “supermodel” by the fashion industry, and this term is only given to models who had a massive impact on the history and culture of fashion.
Campbell is particularly known for being the first black woman to appear on the covers of Vogue France, British Vogue, and Time Magazine. Besides being a supermodel, Campbell has also tried being a singer by releasing an R&B studio album.
Linda Evangelista
Linda Evangelista is a fashion model born in Canada and is considered one of the most influential models of all time. Besides having plenty of accomplishments, Linda Evangelista also helped popular a short hairstyle for women that was nicknamed “The Linda,” which she started sporting in 1988. Because of her influence in the fashion industry, Linda Evangelista is regarded as one of the first supermodels even before the coining of the term.
Evangelista was the longtime “muse” or favorite model of renowned photographer Steven Meisel, who was known for his work in Vogue and Vogue Italia. Unlike most popular models in the 1990s, Linda Evangelista didn’t venture into other industries like movies and music, as she chose to stick with modeling throughout her career.
Cindy Crawford
Cindy Crawford is an American fashion model who gained popularity in the 1980s and 1990s through numerous appearances on runways and magazine covers. Cindy Crawford was also popular for appearing in various movies throughout the 90s and early 2000s, and a few of these movies include Unzipped (1995), Fair Game (1995), 54 (1998), and The Simian Line (2001). Crawford also released various fitness videos, with the first being Cindy Crawford: Shape Your Body Workout (1992). From 1989 to 1995, Crawford was the host of House of Style, a TV show produced by MTV that showcases America’s fascination with supermodels.
Christy Turlington
Another popular American fashion model in the 1990s was Christy Turlington, who became a supermodel after gaining massive popularity in the late 80s and early 90s. Turlington has been named the most popular and influential supermodel in the world by numerous publications, including long-time creative director of the American Vogue magazine, Grace Coddington, who described Turlington as “the most beautiful woman in the world.”
However, Turlington’s influence isn’t just stuck in the modeling industry, as he is also a successful humanitarian who has brought to the spotlight many issues, including those that are related to pregnancy, childbirth, and caregiving. Turlington has directed two documentaries, namely No Woman, No Cry (2010) and Every Mile, Every Mother (2013), which both focused on maternal and child health.
Kate Moss
Kate Moss is a British model who popularized the “heroin chic” fashion trend, which is characterized by the model having dark circles underneath the eyes, androgynous and messy hair, pale skin, and emaciated features that made the model look unhealthy. In addition, the mentioned are also associated with the abuse of different kinds of drugs, particularly heroin. The heroin chic trend was a counterpart to the vibrant and healthy look that was popularized in the late 1980s and early 1990s by Cindy Crawford and other supermodels.
Kate Moss became known in the fashion world when he became a main model for the fashion brand Calvin Klein in the early 1990s. Kate Moss’s waifish and thin figure became trendy alongside grunge music, a 1990s music trend that is often associated with alcohol and drug abuse. Kate Moss still became a prominent figure in the fashion industry at the end of the 90s, and she would go on to become a fashion designer and actress.
Heidi Klum
Heidi Klum is a German-American model who became the first German model to become a Victoria’s Secret Angel, a fashion model chosen to wear the said brand’s underwear collection at the Victoria’s Secret annual fashion show. Being chosen to become a Victoria’s Secret Angel is an honor for many fashion models around the world, and Heidi Klum is arguably one of the most popular and memorable members.
After a successful modeling career in the 1990s, Heidi Klum became the host and judge of Germany’s Next Top Model and Project Runway, which are shows that are still connected to fashion and modeling. Klum is praised by audiences and critics for her great hosting skills, and she was even nominated for six Emmy Awards, winning one in 2013 for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition Program.
Modeling in the 1990s was a big deal, which is why a lot of the popular fashion models in that decade were able to have opportunities to venture into other industries or interests. The ones we have mentioned in this article are actually still very popular and influential today, and their popularity may never fade away since they are an inspiration for current and aspiring fashion models.