I'm just going to come out and say it: the supermodels of the '90s rule all. However, with the resurgence of old school models in Fall campaigns and the like, there was bound to be a backlash. For me, fashion is mostly fun and games, but there are some things I feel very strongly about. The esteem of the era of the supermodel is one of those things.
Both of these black-and-white groups are shot by Peter Lindbergh. The posse on the left, led by Naomi, Christy and Cindy was shot in 1989 for British Vogue. The youngins on the right, including Lily Donaldson, Catherine McNeil and Sasha Pivovarova, were in the most recent issue of Vogue Paris. Times have changed, huh? Often imitated, never to be duplicated, I think there is no comparison. But I'm biased — in 1989 I was a budding fashionista and these beautiful girls were my first idols. What say you?
Y-3
Duccio Del Duca
Ralph Lauren
Nobody can ever top the originals. I still have such a girl-crush on Linda Evangelista.
1I have always LOVED Cindy, Linda, and Christy!
2The new ones are okay but you can't beat the originals
3The original supermodels just look so much happier and healthier, I know the new ones are supposed to be edgy and modern but they all look moody and unhappy.
4Old school girls all the way.
5The "originals" bore me for the most part to be honest. Their faces just aren't all that interesting to me and that picture makes me feel super bored.
6"Old school"
7How is this even a question?
8The current models are faceless nobodies that people outside high fashion do not know but every one then and now knows who the 90's supermodels are. Current models are just boring hangers.
I'm from a different generation, so I really have no nostalgic feelings for the supermodels from the early nineties. When I was a teen, Kate Moss was taking the world by storm.
9You have to love the originals, all that come after them are just imitators.
10These new crop of girls are Meier shadows of the original Super Models!
11If anyone after the "originals" are imitators, then so are the originals since other models came before them. Anyway to add to my posting, I prefer the modern era where models are actually interesting to look at like models like Jean Shrimpton were. Most of the "supermodels" are just dull looking to me.
12Francoisehardly, I couldn't agree more.
13I voted for the new supermodels.
The old school models. For many reasons, but one is they looked a lot healthier than most models today.
14i like how the originals looks very different from each other. The original models also had more curves than the models of today. by the photo selected of the new crop, they all seem exactly the same to me. where's the diversity?
15oni1 i was going to say that- the new ones all look the same to me. i voted the older ones
16Oni and Meg, i was thinking the same thing. The new models don't look different from each other and they all look like they need to eat a carrot...so malnourished!
At least the 90's supermodels looked unique and had healthier builds.
17Well, the ones on the right look like plastic dolls or computer-generated graphics, while the ones on the right look like human beings. So...the old-schoolers win.
18You can actually see the personality in the old school girls' photos... the ones on the right could be robots for all I know...
19you guys beat me to it, I was going to say that all the new girls look the same! I love the originals, they each have their own look. linda evangelista is one of my favorites.
20The originals are the best---they have that kind of exclusivity that everyone aspires for. Nowadays, every supermodel is like the mainstream celebrity ---full of hype, scandal and probably train-wrecks we don't even know.
21The first thing that came to my mind is how similar all the new supermodels look--bony white European girls. I don't know all of these news girl's ethnicity, but they certainly don't seem to reflect the diversity of our world, even the fashion world, today. There are ethnically- diverse models making it today--Alex, Devon, (cant remember their last names), even the Brazilian models, where are they in this picture?
At least in the 1989 picture, Naomi and even Cindy represented beauty beyond fair skinned light-eyed waifs.
22I'm no fashion expert, by the way, that's just my opinion.
23Whoever said Naomi was even pretty was blind!
24The earlier models had much more personality.
25And Naomi is crazy, but definitely beautiful- what in particular makes her not pretty to you, Evalicious?
Originals. Claudia is my all-time fav.
26Well I must say that I complete adore Kate Moss. I just love her but I still think the mew crop is better. That Doutzen Kroes is so very beautiful.
27mew=new
28old school models like Cindy, Naomi, Christy, Claudia, Linda... and even Tyra vaulted the term supermodel. these models became household names to which we still talk about today.
29Hell in 1989 I was still dressing like a tom boy and was yet to even think about fashion. With that being said Old School RULEZ new School Drools. The term supermodel is overused these days and to tell you the truth there hasn't been a true Supermodel to come on the scene since the time of Cindy, Naomi, Chrisite, Claudia etc. ...wait Kate Moss may have been the last of the supermodels!
I think the term for these new girls should be should be "over used models" e.g. Agnes, Jessica Stam and the like.
30I think Doutzen of the new is really pretty, but to me all the other girls look alike. The supermodels of the past where awesome, they all had individual looks, and the fact that several designers are choosing to use them for upcoming campaigns shows that they still are "super" models
31Old School 80's & 90's like Paulina Porizkova, Daniella Pestova, Yasmin Ghauri, Elle Macpherson, Karolina Kurkova, Stephanie Seymour, Carol Alt, Christie Brinkley, and Andie McDowell to name a few are my favorites.
I detest...vehemently dislike Kate Moss & Naomi Campbell. I think they poorly represent their craft.
32maybe i just have the feeling, but the new models look all kind of the same.....booooriiiinggggggg zzZZ
33the new ones look like fembots or something
34i was going to say the same thing. the old school models had a variety of looks. and where is stephanie seymour? I loved her!
now they all tend to look alike. too thin, too sour faced. but I love Daria Werbowy (sp?) and I think the Victoria's Secret models are all just adorable. They are very different, but each unique in their own way.
35I was never much of a Cindy fan, but Linda, Christy, and Naomi were totally my idols growing up, and no one out now compares!
36The Super Models all the way. They ate, they were bolder and Coco Rocha. I am completely insane about Coco Rocha. Anyways, not all of these girls are the top models today. I mean besides Gisele the biggest models today are Raquel Zimmerman, Agyness, Lily Cole, COCO Rocha, Natalia Vodianova, Natasha Poly, Karly Klass, Lily Donaldson (pictured) Iman Chanel, Jessica Stam and Daria Werbowy. Sorry if I misspelled some names but I'm pretty sure those girls are more wanted or more easily recognized than Doutzen or Sasha Pirova.
LOL I forgot. Ali Michael is a rising star.
Yep, but sticking to the subject I prefer Linda and Co.
You guys remember those gorgeous times when models used to SMILE?
these new models make a 5.1 size 2 feel like a whale
37Britneylb : Devon Aoki, she's the sister of Dj/hipster Steve Aoki (one of Lindsay Lohan's bff). The thing is Devon is more focused of launching a clothing line in Asia and in her acting. I can think of Du Juan if you want a rising start in the modeling business. Even if I Can't remember all about the old models since I was born the 88, I remember the cosmos or the vogues cover's. I grew up more watching the whole heroine look so I worshiped Kate Moss, thing is... take a look of pictures of Kate Moss and compared them with some Lily Donaldson Photos and you'll see the models have shrank even more.
P.S : Irina Lazareu and Ikelele are also very well-known.
38Call me a dork, but I just much more prefer the basic composition of the newer one.... The 89 one looks like a bunch of girlfriends taking a picture while out for a walk. The newer one looks more edgy and commanding of the photograph.
39No one can top the original supermodels although I do think in this day in age, there are some stand out models (Agyness Deyn, Gisele, Sasha, Irina; and even newer models Ikeleine, Hillary Rhoda.)
However the supermodels on the 80's and 90's will live on forever. Cindy, Christy, Naomi, Linda, Brooke Shields and Kate Moss will always be remembered.
40whatevs. i'm sorry but the new girls on the right looks better to me as a whole. they all have similar features, but i am not particularly fond of any of the "old school" girls' features pictured here. linda is good.
41although there are a lot of great new girls today, they can never top the goddesses of before - and no one tops Christy Turlington...
42I don't see that any of the "new" crop are that good too look at.
43I voted for the Old crop but looking at them, eh!!!
Old school!
44Thats true. Nobody can replace "the classic beauties"
45The original girls!! The new ones all look the same! there is a major lack of diversity (in many areas). The fashion industry is dead.
46The originals, of course!!!
47Nobody can ever ever ever top the originals
48Originals, hands down.
49Britneylb, I totally agree with you. I need some color!
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