Top Fashion Supermodels: 10 Names to Know

A supermodel is a model with global recognition and big contracts, usually across both high fashion and commercial campaigns. Here are ten who fit that description, then a plain look at what the job takes.

What makes someone a supermodel?

Plenty of models work steadily. Few become household names. Catalog, fitness and glamour models are real careers, but "supermodel" is usually saved for people who work for top houses, walk major runways and land magazine covers and brand deals.

It's hard to stay there. Careers depend on fitness, constant travel, a professional reputation and sheer persistence.

10 supermodels

Kendall Jenner

American model and media personality who became famous through Keeping Up with the Kardashians. She started modeling as a teenager and has worked with Chanel, Estée Lauder, Marc Jacobs, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein and Harper's Bazaar, among others. She has also walked for Victoria's Secret and appeared on international Vogue covers.

Gigi Hadid

American model, born in 1995 and the older sister of Bella Hadid. The British Fashion Council named her International Model of the Year in 2016. Her client list includes Guess, Tom Ford, Michael Kors and Jean-Paul Gaultier, and she has been on many international Vogue covers.

Cara Delevingne

English model, actor and artist who started modeling around 2009. She has won Model of the Year at the British Fashion Awards and worked with Burberry, Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, Chanel and Louis Vuitton.

Adriana Lima

Brazilian model best known as a Victoria's Secret Angel from 1999 to 2018. She started after winning a beauty contest and ranked near the top of Forbes's highest-earning models list in the mid-2010s. Brand work included IWC, Puma and Maybelline.

Bella Hadid

American model, born in 1996, who followed her sister Gigi onto the runway and magazine covers. Models.com named her Model of the Year in 2016.

Naomi Campbell

English model, actor, musician and entrepreneur, born in 1970. She is widely described as a trailblazer for Black models, and her runway history runs through Burberry, Prada, Versace, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Marc Jacobs and Louis Vuitton. Her career has lasted several decades.

Chrissy Teigen

American model and TV personality, born in 1985. She came up through the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue and later appeared on its 50th-anniversary cover. These days she's better known for TV, but she has modeled for brands including Gillette Venus, Olay, Nike and Gap Factory.

Gisele Bündchen

Brazilian model who has been among the highest-paid in the world since about 2001. Forbes named her one of the most powerful women in the world in 2014. She has worked with Dolce & Gabbana, Valentino, Ralph Lauren and Versace.

Liu Wen

Chinese model born in 1988, generally called China's first supermodel. She has been an Estée Lauder ambassador since 2010 and was the first East Asian model to walk in the Victoria's Secret show. She has also worked with Burberry, Chanel, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Hermès and La Perla.

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley

English model and actor, born in 1987, best known for her Victoria's Secret work. She has also appeared for Burberry, Givenchy, Ralph Lauren, Versace, French Connection and Macy's, and she runs businesses of her own.

What a modeling career takes

No degree is required. Some people take a modeling course, but what matters most is a good agency and a professional portfolio. Our guides to NYC modeling agencies and Los Angeles agencies are a decent place to start.

Be realistic about the work. The glamour is the visible part. Behind it you get long days, constant rejection, travel, heavy scrutiny of your body and pressure to stay in shape. Very few models reach supermodel level.

A few things help. Minimum height requirements vary by type of modeling, so check before you apply. Healthy skin and hair are an advantage. And communication skills matter more than people think, since you're largely selling yourself to clients.