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The Iconic Supermodels Who Defined the 1980s Fashion Era

Step back into the glamorous world of 1980s supermodels—meet the trailblazers who set the runway alight and paved the way for pop culture icons.

By Medha deb

Created on Sep 30, 2025

Step back into the glamorous world of 1980s supermodels—meet the trailblazers who set the runway alight and paved the way for pop culture icons.

Long before the reign of Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, and Tyra Banks in the 1990s, the supermodels of the 1980s carved out the original template for international glamour, stratospheric celebrity, and runway dominance. The so-called “first wave” of supermodels didn’t just shape magazine covers and designer campaigns—they sparked a new era of fashion as cultural spectacle, transforming their own personas into household names.

The Rise of the ’80s Supermodel: Setting the Stage

The 1980s ushered in a new attitude about modeling. Designers and brands increasingly turned models into global celebrities whose personality and presence were as vital as their look. The term ‘supermodel’ may have risen to pop culture ubiquity in the following decade, but its roots trace back to this era of bombastic runways, jet-set lifestyles, and editorial boundary-pushing. These pioneers paved the way for the multi-hyphenate model and contributed to seismic changes in how the industry operated.

Magazines like Vogue, Elle, and Cosmopolitan became gateways for international recognition.
Models transformed into muses for designers—from Chanel to Versace—and played prominent roles in major advertising campaigns.
They influenced not only trends and standards of beauty but also broader conversations about diversity and representation.

Ines De La Fressange: The Epitome of French Chic

Ines De La Fressange was the quintessential French model of the 1980s. With her statuesque presence and undeniable elegance, she caught the eye of Karl Lagerfeld, ultimately becoming his muse at Chanel. In 1983, Ines became the first model to sign an exclusivity contract with Chanel, a groundbreaking move at the time that underlined her status and influence.

Known for resembling Coco Chanel, she defined Parisian sophistication for a global audience.
Her style and confidence set trends in European fashion circles and beyond.

Janice Dickinson: Self-Proclaimed “First Supermodel”

If charisma and controversy shaped the blueprint for 1980s stardom, Janice Dickinson embodied both. Despite facing rejection for being “too exotic,” Janice rose to stardom on the runways of Giorgio Armani, Valentino, and Oscar de la Renta. She later became an iconic television personality, coining herself as “the first supermodel.”

Broke through traditional Eurocentric beauty standards.
Known for her fierce persona and unapologetic confidence, paving the way for outspoken models of later generations.

Naomi Sims: Breaking Barriers with Every Step

While her initial rise came in the late 1960s, Naomi Sims’s legacy endured through the 1980s and beyond. Sims is widely credited as the first Black supermodel, opening new doors for models of color not only through her work but also her writing. By the 1980s, Sims had authored several books on health, beauty, and modeling specifically aimed at empowering Black women.

Appeared on the cover of Ladies’ Home Journal in November 1968, a barrier-breaking moment for representation.
Set an example for Black women seeking opportunities in fashion and publishing.

Gia Carangi: The Dark-Haired Revolutionary

Gia Carangi could be described as fashion’s first truly modern supermodel. With a look that defied the era’s blonde, blue-eyed norm, she brought a dark, sensual edge to both American and European magazine covers. Carangi’s rise in her teens was meteoric—she became a muse for famed photographers and landed a string of high-profile Cosmopolitan covers from 1979 to the early 1980s.

Became the industry’s highest-paid model as a teenager.
Worked with major designers like Christian Dior, Armani, and Versace.
Her persona helped push boundaries of what fashion considered beautiful and marketable.

Jerry Hall: Texan Glamour on International Stage

Jerry Hall’s statuesque frame and signature blonde mane made her instantly recognizable on runways across the globe. A favorite of designers and photographers alike, Hall was as much a muse as she was a tabloid fixture—her relationship with Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones provided endless headlines. But Hall’s stunning editorial portfolio and dynamic presence set her apart from her peers.

Graced dozens of covers and editorial spreads for leading magazines.
Became known for blending Texas drama with European sophistication.

Beverly Johnson: A Beauty Industry Trailblazer

Beverly Johnson shattered boundaries when she became the first Black model to appear on the cover of American Vogue in 1974. Through the 1980s, she maintained her place as a leading supermodel, advocating for diversity in beauty and fashion. Johnson’s influence went far beyond the runway; she became an influential author and entrepreneur.

Published books on beauty, fitness, and modeling, inspiring generations to come.
Used her platform to address racial stereotypes and promote inclusivity in the fashion industry.

Iman: From Somali Shepherd to International Icon

Iman arrived on the global stage with a singular, mesmerizing presence. Raised in Somalia and discovered in Nairobi, Iman soon became a favorite of fashion’s elite photographers and houses. By the 1980s, she was one of the world’s most in-demand models, eventually launching her own cosmetic company to address gaps in beauty products for women of color.

Known for her regal looks and versatility in editorial and runway work.
Became a successful entrepreneur with Iman Cosmetics, helping change industry standards for diversity in beauty.

Paulina Porizkova: The European Sensation

Originally from Czechoslovakia, Paulina Porizkova burst onto the scene as a teenager. By her twenties, she signed a $6-million contract with Estée Lauder, setting a new pay benchmark for modeling. With frequent appearances on the covers of Harper’s Bazaar and major campaigns for Chanel and Revlon, Paulina was one of the most visible and respected faces of the decade.

Started her modeling career “by accident” after being discovered via photos for a friend’s makeup portfolio.
Her contract with Estée Lauder was a landmark in model compensation.

Christie Brinkley: The All-American Beauty

Christie Brinkley epitomized the sun-kissed, athletic ideal of the 1980s. Brinkley secured an unprecedented three consecutive covers of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, becoming synonymous with wholesome sex appeal and mainstream marketability. Her image adorned billboards from Times Square to Tokyo, and her approachable style made her an icon for women everywhere.

Worked across multiple fashion mediums: catalogs, commercials, print and runways.
Brought an accessible, healthy, “girl next door” look to high fashion.

Kim Alexis: Queen of the Covers

With classic good looks—blonde hair, blue eyes, and a trademark tan—Kim Alexis became a mainstay for leading magazines and fashion campaigns. A muse to legendary photographer Richard Avedon, Alexis landed a lucrative Revlon contract and became a standard-bearer for 1980s beauty ideals.

Her look embodied the quintessential aesthetic of the decade—athletic, vibrant, and approachable.
Frequently graced covers of Harper’s Bazaar and other key publications.

Brooke Shields: From Child Star to Style Icon

Brooke Shields represented the merging of Hollywood and high-fashion celebrity. Rising to fame as a teenage actress, Shields broke into modeling with her striking blue eyes and signature brows. Her Calvin Klein jeans campaign became a cultural touchstone, helping her become one of the most instantly recognizable faces of the 1980s.

Became the subject of countless magazine covers and advertising campaigns.
Turned her modeling fame into a sustained presence in entertainment and pop culture.

Kelly Emberg: The Runway Sweetheart

Discovered in Houston, Kelly Emberg found international fame in the 1980s, in part thanks to her high-profile romance with Rod Stewart. Emberg’s classic beauty found favor with brands like CoverGirl and Calvin Klein, marking her as a staple of both editorial and commercial fashion.

Dominated covers and landed significant advertising deals.
Demonstrated the power of celebrity relationships in amplifying a model’s reach.

Kelly LeBrock: The Face of Hollywood Glamour

Before she became a movie icon in films like The Woman in Red, Kelly LeBrock fashioned a successful modeling career in New York and Paris. Christian Dior signed her to a long-term contract, and LeBrock’s bold features helped redefine what was considered alluring in high fashion.

Starred on prominent magazine covers and key brand campaigns.
Moved seamlessly into acting, expanding the boundaries of model-stardom.

Other Notable ’80s Supermodels

While the above names made the biggest headlines, the decade also saw the rise of many other influential faces, each contributing their own distinctive looks and personalities to an evolving fashion industry. Some, like Cristina Córdula and Marpessa Hennink, gained notoriety on the European circuit, while others found pioneering success in beauty campaigns and editorial work around the globe.

Cristina Córdula: The Brazilian beauty whose signature haircut led to major fashion house bookings, including Chanel and Dior.
Marpessa Hennink: Overcame industry rejection to walk for Chanel, Valentino, Kenzo, and more, later becoming an interior designer.
Anna Bayle: A leading Asian supermodel, trailblazer for greater diversity.

Impact, Legacy, and Changing Standards

The supermodels of the 1980s were more than just faces—they were businesswomen, public figures, and, in many cases, role models. They leveraged their platforms to advocate for industry change, greater inclusivity, and new definitions of beauty. Through their influence, they:

Transformed models from anonymous figures into global celebrities.
Shifted fashion from static editorial work to dynamic, personality-driven branding.
Broke barriers related to race, age, and nationality.

FAQs: 1980s Supermodels

Q: What defined a ‘supermodel’ in the 1980s?

A: Supermodels stood out through their celebrity status, cross-media appeal, and ability to influence trends and culture beyond the fashion industry.

Q: How did the careers of ’80s supermodels differ from those of the ’90s?

A: While ’80s supermodels pioneered the era of runway celebrity, many ’90s models achieved even greater pop culture visibility, with bigger endorsements and more multimedia ventures. The crossover between fashion, film, and business began with the ’80s figures.

Q: Who were the first Black supermodels to gain international recognition?

A: Naomi Sims and Beverly Johnson are widely credited as pioneering Black supermodels, breaking through longstanding racial barriers and inspiring greater industry diversity.

Q: What was the impact of these supermodels on contemporary fashion?

A: They set new standards for ambition, personal branding, and international appeal. Today’s models owe much of their opportunities to the groundwork laid by the supermodels of the 1980s.

Q: Did any 1980s supermodels transition into other careers?

A: Yes—many became entrepreneurs, actors, authors, activists, and business owners, showing the full spectrum of possibilities stemming from initial fame on the runway.

Fashion Revolutions: How the Supermodel Era Transformed Modern Runways
From Catwalks to Cosmetics: The Entrepreneurial Rise of ’80s Icons
Style Timeline: Major Fashion Moments of the 1980s

References

Author

medha deb

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

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