You’ve seen them on billboards, magazine covers, and runway shows-faces that don’t just wear clothes, they change how we see beauty. Supermodels aren’t just tall, thin, and photogenic. They’re cultural forces. And right now, a new wave of young girls and boys are staring at those same images, wondering: Can I be one of them?
What Makes a Supermodel Different From a Model?
Not every model becomes a supermodel. There’s a big difference. A model might walk for a season, appear in a few editorials, and disappear. A supermodel? They become household names. They sign million-dollar contracts. They front global campaigns for brands like Victoria’s Secret, Chanel, or Louis Vuitton. They show up on talk shows. They launch their own makeup lines. They get followed by millions on Instagram-not just by fashion fans, but by teenagers in small towns who see them as proof that dreams can be real.
Think about Naomi Campbell in the ’90s. She didn’t just walk the runway-she broke barriers. She was one of the first Black supermodels to dominate global fashion, and she did it with power, grace, and unshakable confidence. Today, her legacy lives on in the way young Black models carry themselves on runways. Same with Cindy Crawford-her mole, her smile, her work ethic made her relatable and iconic. Supermodels don’t just look good. They change the game.
How Supermodels Shape the Future of Modeling
Look at Gigi Hadid. She didn’t wait for someone to hand her a contract. She started posting selfies on Instagram at 15. Her look-effortless, real, slightly messy-resonated. Brands noticed. By 18, she was walking for Versace and YSL. Now, she’s a mentor to aspiring models. She posts videos showing how to walk in heels, how to pose for a shoot, how to handle rejection. She doesn’t sugarcoat it. She says: "It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being persistent."
That’s the new playbook. Supermodels today aren’t just faces-they’re teachers. They use social media to show the behind-the-scenes: the 4 a.m. call times, the hours of hair and makeup, the auditions they bombed, the contracts they fought for. This transparency is powerful. It tells kids: You don’t need to be born into this. You just need to show up. And it’s working. In 2024, modeling agencies reported a 40% increase in applications from Gen Z applicants who cited specific supermodels as their inspiration. Not just because they looked like them-but because they saw how those women and men turned visibility into influence. Supermodels don’t just inspire kids to walk down a catwalk. They inspire them to speak up. Kate Moss started the "heroin chic" trend in the ’90s. It was controversial. But later, she spoke out about body image, saying: "I never thought I was thin enough. Now I wish I’d known better."
That kind of honesty changed things. Today’s young models are more likely to speak about mental health, diversity, and ethical fashion because they’ve seen supermodels do it first. Adwoa Aboah, a model and activist, founded Gurls Talk-a platform for young women to share their struggles. She says she wouldn’t have started it if she hadn’t seen how supermodels used their voices beyond the camera. Even men like Tyson Beckford and Andreja Pejić are breaking old molds. Beckford, one of the first Black male supermodels, showed that masculinity in fashion isn’t one-size-fits-all. Pejić, a transgender model, proved that beauty isn’t binary. Their visibility didn’t just open doors-it blew them off their hinges. If you’re thinking about modeling, here’s what actually matters-based on what the real supermodels have done: Meet Amilna Estevão. She’s 17, from Angola, and signed with IMG last year. Her breakout moment? Posting a video of herself walking in bare feet through her village, then transitioning into a runway pose. It went viral. She says: "I watched Naomi Campbell’s 1997 Vogue cover every night before bed. I thought, if she could do it, maybe I can too."
Or take Levi Brown, a non-binary model from Detroit. They walked for Telfar last season. Their first big shoot? A campaign for a local LGBTQ+ youth center. They told me: "I didn’t see anyone like me on the cover of Elle when I was growing up. Now I’m on it. And I’m making sure the next kid sees me and knows they belong."
These aren’t flukes. They’re the direct result of decades of supermodels showing up, speaking out, and refusing to let fashion be a closed club. Back then, supermodels were chosen by a handful of editors and photographers. Today, the public has a voice. TikTok trends can launch careers overnight. A single post can get you scouted by a global agency. The gatekeepers are gone. The power shifted. Also, diversity isn’t a buzzword anymore-it’s expected. In 2023, 48% of models on major runways were people of color, up from just 12% in 2010. That shift didn’t happen by accident. It happened because supermodels demanded it. They walked off shows. They spoke to journalists. They refused to work with brands that didn’t cast inclusively. And now? Young models are doing the same. They’re calling out tokenism. They’re asking for fair pay. They’re insisting on mental health support. They’re following the example set by the icons before them. You don’t have to become a supermodel to be changed by them. Maybe you’ll never walk a runway. But maybe you’ll start a blog about body positivity. Maybe you’ll design clothes for people who’ve been ignored by the industry. Maybe you’ll just look in the mirror and say, "I’m enough." That’s the real legacy of supermodels. They didn’t just sell clothes. They sold the idea that anyone-no matter where they’re from, what they look like, or how they were raised-can step into the light and own it. A model works in fashion-walks runways, does photoshoots, appears in catalogs. A supermodel becomes a global icon. They sign major contracts, appear on magazine covers regularly, influence trends, and often launch their own brands. Supermodels have cultural impact beyond the runway. Yes-but not the way it used to be. Today, it’s less about being "discovered" by a scout and more about building your own brand. Social media, authenticity, and consistency matter more than ever. Many new supermodels started with Instagram or TikTok. It’s harder to break in, but the path is wider. Absolutely. Names like Bella Hadid, Adut Akech, and Kaia Gerber are today’s supermodels. They don’t just model-they advocate, create, and lead. The definition has evolved: supermodels now are influencers, entrepreneurs, and activists, not just faces on a billboard. Early supermodels often promoted a narrow ideal. Today’s supermodels are changing that. Many speak openly about eating disorders, mental health, and self-acceptance. They feature diverse body types in campaigns and call out unrealistic standards. This shift is helping young people see beauty as broader and more inclusive. Thinking they need to look like someone else. Supermodels succeeded because they stood out-not because they fit a mold. The biggest mistake is trying to be perfect. The best models are the ones who are real, consistent, and unafraid to show their personality.The Real Impact: Beyond the Runway
What Aspiring Models Can Learn From Supermodels
Who Are the Rising Stars Inspired by Supermodels?
What’s Changed Since the ’90s?
Final Thought: You Don’t Need to Be a Supermodel to Be Inspired by One
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between a model and a supermodel?
Can anyone become a supermodel today?
Do supermodels still exist in 2025?
How do supermodels influence body image?
What’s the biggest mistake aspiring models make?
