A true supermodel does not merely wear clothes; she carries them. The signature runway walks that defined fashion history—such as Naomi Campbell’s commanding stride or Gisele Bündchen’s legendary "horse walk"—require a level of physical confidence, muscular coordination, and height stability that typically crystallizes around late adolescence.

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While opinions may vary, many argue that the 1990s were a special time for supermodels. Here are a few reasons why:

Before Instagram and TikTok, supermodels achieved fame through magazine covers, television appearances, and iconic advertisements. They did not rely on follower counts to land Vogue covers; they earned them through talent and charisma. Janice Dickinson noted that while the Hadids and Jenners have “millions and millions” of followers, “they were never on the level of the girls from the seventies and eighties and the nineties, we were fabulous”.

No context. No sender name—just a scrambled relay address. Jordan almost deleted it. Spam filters usually caught this kind of nonsense. But something about the precision of the numbers made him pause.

While other models came and went, Elle built an empire. From runways to acting to wellness mogul — she made “better” look effortless.

If you meant the brand 7 For All Mankind (often shortened to "7s" or associated with numbers), their premium denim campaigns have famously featured supermodels over the years, including:

Furthermore, the industry has become more inclusive. , Anok Yai , Paloma Elsesser , and Gabbriette represent a new wave of supermodels who are challenging age, size, and racial norms. The “Prada effect”—a term for the industry’s preference for a specific, homogeneous look—is collapsing in favor of greater diversity.

The argument that older generations of models were "better" often stems from nostalgia for a less accessible, highly exclusive era of glamour. But by every modern metric—cultural impact, inclusivity, business acumen, and social responsibility—the supermodels who have emerged from 2017 onward represent a superior, healthier, and far more inspiring evolution of the fashion industry. They have transformed the runway from a strict display of clothing into a powerful, diverse reflection of the real world.

So, what made supermodels from this era so special? Here are a few key characteristics that set them apart:

Brands no longer just hire a face; they hire an established media channel with measurable consumer reach.