1990s supermodel Christy Turlington has been chosen as the face of fashion brand Escada. An interesting trend in the world of modeling, magazine covers, and ad campaigns. After a period when celebrity actresses and pop stars had pushed out models from fashion magazine covers and advertising campaigns, the professional models are returning to again claim their turf....with a caveat. Like Christy Turlington most of them are retired supermodels.....and neither marriage, nor motherhood, nor age deters fashion brands from signing them up!
The forever beautiful Claudia Schiffer appears on the cover of German Vogue and has signed up for a Chanel campaign with Karl Lagerfeld. Claudia is married and has given birth to two children.
43-year old Linda Evangelista modeled for L'Oréal last year, leading to a 20% increase in their sales. The retired supermodel has now been signed on by Prada.
Speaking to the Independent, Grazia shopping editor, Stefan Lindemann explains, "Supermodels not as naughty as other celebrities. People like Lindsay Lohan go in and out of rehab and fall out of nightclubs drunk. Supermodels never do that. They're well-behaved and have a different work ethic."
This may not be entirely true of Naomi Campbell, signed on by Yves Saint Laurent, or Kate Moss. Supermodel Kate Moss lost campaigns with H&M, Chanel and Burberry after alleged cocaine use was reported in British tabloids in the fall of 2005. She's since recovered and has won back several endorsement deals, including one with Burberry. Kate Moss officially returned as the face of Agent Provocateur to promote their new bridal collection.
Eva Herzigova, married to Italian businessman Gregorio Marsiaj and mother to son George Mariaj Herzig, was chosen for campaigns by Louis Vuitton, along with her peers Stephanie Seymour and Claudia Schiffer.
Retired supermodel Helena Christensen has long been the face of Pilgrim gold silver charms.
Last month Elle Macpherson was chosen to be Revlon’s global face. Retired from active modeling, the Aussie babe established the Elle Macpherson Intimates lingerie line in 1990. She now acts as advisor on product development to other top brands. Her entire business is worth $10 million.
41-year old Cindy Crawford posed for the cover of Russian Vogue.
Supermodel Laetitia Casta starred in the 2007 Miu Miu Fall/Winter Campaign. Casta lives in her native France and pursues a movie career. In fact most of the retired models who have not returned to active modeling have their own alternative careers or businesses.
34-year old Tyra Banks, hailed as the last supermodel, retired from modeling in 2005 but is estimated to have earned $18 million from her talk show and book deals. Heidi Klum, apart from her marriage and kids, hosts Germany's Next Top Model and designs for Jordache.
Many of the existing models are also married or have children: Liya Kebede, Bianca Balti, and Marisa Miller. None of this seems to have affected their desirability as models or their ability to sell fashion and beauty products. Brazilian model Ana Beatriz Barros revealed in an interview that she actually knows of successful models in their 30s and 40s who lie about their age and are still getting work in the fashion industry!
Soon to be a mother Alessandra Ambrosio, married Marissa Miller, young and single Jarah Mariano all looking forever beautiful
So what happens to all the young models? Hundreds of anonymous 15-16 year old European girls swarm the runways of New York, Paris and Milan each season. They do 70 shows in six weeks and are paid about $250 an hour their first season....and most are never heard of again as the industry selects fresh faces. Most of the magazine covers and prestigious campaigns go to celebrity models, whether from the current crop, or from the supermodel era.
Ten years on a Giselle Bundchen or an Adriana Lima may still be desirable faces for fashion brands, or appear on magazine covers, as long as they maintain their looks and fitness. Will the upcoming crop of models, like Doutzen Kroes or Behati Prinsloo, reach that celebrity model status?