Ah, the 1990s. It was the age of MAC's Spice lip liner, black velvet chokers and Jennifer Aniston's iconic 'Rachel' haircut. The looks were bold, the eyebrows were thin, and it was the period during which the modelling world majorly upped its game.
The decade was famous for birthing a new runway breed – the supermodel.
Dubbed the 'Fab Four', Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington, Cindy Crawford and Linda Evangelista, each forces in their own right, united in New York in the 1980s and formed a unique bond that came to redefine the industry.
Flipping the power dynamic, these four elevated themselves beyond mere 'muse' and became just as notable, if not more so, as the labels they walked for.
READ: 7 lookalike kids taking after their supermodel mums
Want to delve deeper into their iconic runway reign? Apple TV+'s docuseries The Super Models is a total must-watch. The 'Fab Four' recently reunited for Vogue World, and it's clear they are still just as mesmerising as ever before.
Other models entered the mix and by the 1990s, the landscape had totally shifted. Models were no longer simply mannequins, the girls at the top knew their worth and refused to settle for anything less.
Hello! Fashion reflects on the models that defined the 1990s and shares what they're up to in 2023:
Naomi Campbell
© GettySupermodel royalty Naomi Campbell ruled the runway in the 1990s. She actually intended to be a dancer and made her first public appearance aged just eight years old in the music video for Bob Marley's track Is This Love. Naomi was scouted while shopping in Covent Garden, appeared on the cover of Elle before her 16th birthday and went on to become a household name.
The industry legend is still modelling for major designer labels in 2023 and over the last couple of years she has started a family. Naomi is the proud mother of a two-year-old daughter and a newborn son.
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© GettyA recent venture that has captured the attention of fashion fans is the 53-year-old's limited-edition capsule collection with e-tailer PrettyLittleThing. Stumped for party season picks? Naomi has you covered.
Linda Evangelista
© GettyWith over 700 magazine covers under her belt, it's unsurprising that Linda Evangelista is regarded as one of the most influential models of the 1990s. She has kept a relatively low profile in recent years after she was left "permanently deformed" by a cosmetic procedure. The model took legal action and the case has since been settled. Venturing back into modelling for the first time since the procedure, Linda featured in a Fendi campaign to celebrate the 25th anniversary of its iconic 'Baguette' bag, and made a serious comeback on the cover of British Vogue's September 2022 issue.
Christy Turlington
© Getty"The most beautiful woman in the world", according to Grace Coddington, Christy Turlington started modelling after school in her teens. She starred in ad campaigns for the likes of Calvin Klein, Marc Jacobs and Chanel, and also featured in a handful of music videos, Duran Duran's Notorious and George Michael's iconic Freedom! video to name a few.
© GettyChristy is now an activist, working across a number of different humanitarian projects. She founded her own non-profit, Every Mother Counts, in 2010, which works to support maternal health programmes across the world. The 54-year-old has been married to filmmaker Edward Burns since 2003.
Cindy Crawford
© GettyAll-American beauty Cindy Crawford floored casting agents with her mesmerising girl-next-door look, and went on to become one of the industry's most recognisable faces. From Pepsi Super Bowl commercials to iconic plunging Oscars Versace moments, Cindy has delivered some truly unforgettable looks over the years.
© GettyCindy married her second husband Rande Gerber in 1998, and the pair are the parents of Presley and Kaia - both models themselves. Her daughter is a key industry player in her own right, and is currently dating actor Austin Butler.
Kate Moss
© GettyKnown for her waifish figure and unique look, Kate Moss became a household name in the 1990s. The 49-year-old welcomed her daughter in 2002 with curator and creative director Jefferson Hack and Lila has followed in her mother’s footsteps. Kate is doing less shows herself these days, but founded her own eponymous talent agency in 2016 and recently launched her own beauty and wellness brand Cosmoss which is understandably keeping her pretty well-occupied.
© GettyYasmeen Ghauri
© Photo: Getty ImagesCanadian model Yasmeen Ghauri was first discovered aged 17 while working in McDonalds. She landed her first major cover with Elle in 1991 and shortly after starred in Elton John's music video for the song Sacrifice. Having walked for Chanel, Versace and Helmut Lang, she retired in 1997, with the intention of starting a family. She now lives in New York with her husband Ralph Bernstein with their two children.
Elle Macpherson
© GettyAustralian model Elle Macpherson first entered the modelling scene back in the early 1980s when she was merely trying to make some money to fund her law degree. Her profile quickly skyrocketed, and she earned the nickname 'The Body' on account of all her swimsuit shoots. Now, Elle owns her own wellness company and according to her Instagram, still spends much of her time supporting designers by attending fashion shows.
Helena Christensen
© GettyRunway extraordinaire Helena Christensen started out in 1990 when she starred in the music video for Chris Issak's song, Wicked Game. She has featured in campaigns for the likes of Prada, Valentino and Chanel, and while she continues to model, Helena is also an established photographer.
