Model Muse

I remember it like it was yesterday: I was 8 years old, it was Saturday morning, and I was watching one of my favorite TV programs, Fashion File. And there she appeared, Amber Valletta, with her BFF Shalom Harlow goofing around backstage at a fashion show. Those two were inseparable, but I always had eyes for Amber. She was not your typical sexy blonde. Rather, she was slightly sporty but still irresistibly pretty. She teetered between girl-next-door and unattainable beauty. That chiseled bone structure, those gorgeous green eyes, that slim but fit bod — they were the reasons she made it big time and even scored a hosting gig on MTV's House of Style. Reminiscing makes me long for those days when Amber ruled. Now married with a kid, the Super continues to command attention like she did when she was a newbie. She comes around at fashion soirees, and I still get as excited to see her as I did that one Saturday morning . . .

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You didn't have to be conscious in the '60s to know Twiggy. The famed model, full name Twiggy Lawson, made her mark in the modeling scene during the free-love era, capturing everyone with her waif-like figure, pixie haircut, and big baby blues. All it took was one eyelash bat and I was smitten. Her mod appeal took America by storm, influencing others to draw in fake lower eyelashes, tote lunch boxes, and wear tights and sweaters. The cool thing about Twiggy is that she still inspires others with her personal style and quirk. Her modeling hay-day may have lasted only a decade, but her essence continues to make an iconic dent in the fashion world. Did you know she's also an award-winning singer? Awesome. Today, Twiggy continues to indulge her fans with sporadic modeling campaigns and guest appearances on America's Next Top Model. Want to see more pics of vintage Twiggy? You know what to do . . .

At one point, I hated Stephanie Seymour. Those of you who know me, and Stephanie, know why. It was the early '90s. She was dating Axl Rose. He was mine! Or, so my 12-year-old self thought. The lead singer of my all-time favorite band was possibly engaged to the hottest Victoria's Secret model of the time. I had serious competition. Meanwhile, I would flip through my mom's VS catalogs and hope I would grow up to have such a hard body, voluminous hair, and chiseled face. The greenish-blue eyes were out of the question, but to this day, if I ever need inspiration to get fit, I look to Stephanie Super. Known for her devilishly divine body, Stephanie also has a unique face; her long nose has an imperfect dent and her lips are perfectly plump. Now that I'm grown up and Stephanie is married with four kids (who are all gorgeous, btw) but still modeling, still hard body, I can admire her in two G'n'R videos — "Don't Cry" and "November Rain" — for what she really is: a bona fide hottie.

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Phew. Good thing Claudia Schiffer decided to be a Super instead of her childhood aspiration of becoming a lawyer. If not, we would be seeing her in stuffy suits instead of sexy swimwear, couture gowns, and other designer delights. Claudia is one of my all-time favorite models — you can see why. Her long, silky locks, gorgeous blue eyes, full mouth; and of course, that slammin' bod . . . I just can't get enough. In fact, I remember first falling for Claudia when I saw her in a Guess Jeans ad campaign — which, btw, was my preferred denim brand in the '90s — and she hasn't stopped since. Claudia's everlasting prowess has allowed her to stay in the industry for over two decades, appearing in over 900 magazine covers, walking numerous designer runways, and representing copious brands. Over the years, Claudia has matured to become a sophisticated, sexy woman filled with mysterious, modeling marvel; she must have learned a couple of tricks from ex-boyfriend David Copperfield . . .

Models have a pretty face and killer bod — it's part of the job. But when they also have enviable personal style, it's a bonus. Daria is one of those lovelies I want to see both off- and on-duty because she looks just as cool on the streets as she does on the catwalk. She's effortless, both in beauty and in taste; that's what makes her one of my new-school model muses. Though she's considered Canadian, Daria was actually born in Poland in 1983. She's Ukrainian by ethnicity and even has Ukrainian citizenship. She won a national modeling contest at the age of 14, and now she's on top, with the title of ninth highest-earning model in 2008 according to Forbes. Despite all the competition she has, I'll never grow tired of seeing her healthy glow, alluring eyes, and killer panache.

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Carmen Kass is a model underdog. Don't get me wrong — she's received accolades and been snapped countless times — but she's under the radar. Although, she did win Model of the Year at the VH1/Vogue Fashion Awards in 2000 (they should totally bring that awards show back, btw). Kass is one of my longstanding new(er) faves. The gangly Estonian blew on to the scene around the same time as Gisele, the late '90s. I always thought she was both adorable and sultry. And, she has a killer runway walk — just check out those thighs of steel. She doesn't do much runway today, but she is Michael Kors's perma-face. Victoria's Secret once tapped the sharp-faced Carmen — again, the killer runway walk — and she is the new face of Max Factor. She pops up here and there, though never enough for me. Are you a fan, too? Take a trip down Kass memory lane . . .

There is no other like Kate Moss. Period. The supermodel looks stunning waifish, sexy, blond, brunette, pixie-haired, long-haired, naked, clothed, laughing, serious . . . She first caught our attention in 1988 when she was discovered at the age of 14, and she continues to blow us away 21 years later. If being relevant for two decades doesn't make you spectacular, then I don't know what does! Early on in her career, Kate was dubbed a waif after appearing in Calvin Klein's controversial ads. Remember those? She also went through a dark period in '05, but luckily the industry welcomed her back with open arms. Kate has now reclaimed her place in the modeling world in a more serious way than ever before. I mean, you have to try really hard to avoid seeing her these days. Ads, editorials, magazine covers, fashion blogs — you name it, she's all over it. And we wouldn't want it any other way.

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When I was Fab-in-training — aka the '80s — Iman was the model of the moment. Even before then, in the '70s, Yves Saint Laurent claimed, "My dream woman is Iman." Born Iman Mohamed Abdulmajid, the Somalian model helped pave the way for African-American models and I remember her so distinctly. She was elegant and elongated, yet approachable and sweet-faced. It's too bad the makeup of the '80s was so severe — her face didn't need any of it. She continues to make modeling cameos, but is most busy with the cosmetics line she launched in 2007 for women of color. She's still going strong out and about at red carpet events and parties; hopefully one day I'll get to finally meet the mythical Iman . . .

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