Top Model

I feel the age of the supermodel is returning. Back in the 80’s, the original supermodels – Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington and Claudia Schiffer – ruled the catwalk and were household names. In the last few years, certain models have established themselves and thanks to social media, they are able to show their personalities and not just be considered a clothes horse. Below is my list of top models, I’m sure there will be some with you agree with and some that you don’t so feel free to add your favourites below!

1. Joan Smalls

Joan is one of, if not the most, in demand models of the moment. According to Models.com, Joan ranks first among female models. The Puerto Rican beauty has campaigns with H&M, Estee Lauder, Tiffany & co. and has graced the covers of Vogue (various different countries), Harpers Bazaar, Elle France, totaling 31 covers in all. In the SS14 shows, Joan walked 22 shows in all ranging from Chanel, to Alexander Wang to Balenciaga. You only need to look at the stunning editorials of Joan to understand why. Joan Smalls is a true beauty.

Photo Credit: Elle.com

2. Cara Delevingne

Well, what can you say about Cara? She has exploded onto the scene gaining loyal followers and gracing 28 magazine covers in all. Easily one of the most charming models, it seems that Cara is unstoppable at the moment. Having put in a huge amount of runway shows in previous fashion weeks, Cara has decided to pick and chose which shows she walk from now on, walking for only 10 fashion houses for SS14. Cara is the beanie and onesie queen and I love the fact that she isn’t afraid to act and look dorky!

Photo Credit: Pinterest and Vogue.co.uk

3. Jourdan Dunn

Jourdan is another British model taking the world by storm. With 22 magazine covers under her belt as well as her own cooking show on Life and Times, campaigns for Aldo, Rihanna for River Island, YSL and Burberry, featuring in Beyonce videos with Joan Smalls and Chanel Iman, and a gorgeous four year old son Riley, Jourdan could definitely be called Super Woman. Jourdan has been very vocal about the inequalities within the fashion industry and has spoken of being turned away from shows that have reached their ‘quota’ of coloured women. I know Jourdan will continue to rule the fashion world for many years to come.

Photo Credit: Pinterest and Vogue.co.uk

4. Liu Wen

Liu Wen is one of China’s greatest fashion stars. Liu was the first ever Chinese model for Estee Lauder in their beauty campaign back in 2010. Gracing 34 magazine covers and walking in a staggering 37 SS14 shows, Liu is one of the most in demand models of the moment. Liu has done campaigns for H&M, La Perla, Coach, Estee Lauder, Calvin Klein, and Roberto Cavalli to name a few.

Photo Credit: Pinterest

5. Karlie Kloss

Karlie is definitely one of my favourites, and not just because I’m jealous of her name! Despite being only 21, Karlie has appeared on the cover of magazines 51 times, an incredible achievement for someone her age. Karlie walked in 13 shows in SS14, with that famous walk. Her walk has been described as being ‘panther like’ and has a definite power to it. Being so successful so young, I have no doubt that she will continue to be massively successful.

Photo credit: Pinterest and Vogue.co.uk

6. Kate Upton

Kate Upton first exploded onto the scene in 2011 on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Since then, Kate has enjoyed world wide fame, been on 23 magazine covers, and walked in the Louis Vuitton SS14 show. Kate is known for being a bombshell and I think this is reflected in the lack of runway shows. Not the typical sample size, Kate highlights the importance of broadening industry standards of what is the ‘correct’ type of model. As you can see from her editorials, Kate is more than capable of being a high fashion top model.

Photo Credit: Pinterest

7. Freja Beha Erichsen

Freja, to me, is a perfect model. She brings her own look to every shoot and show and I love that about her. Plus her tattoos are amazing! 28 magazine covers since 2008 and campaigns like Zadig and Voltaire, Saint Laurent, Maybelline, Valentino and Zara show her versatility as a model. Freja has been noticeably absent from the runway in recent years and currently has no plans to return to doing shows. She was recently a feature of British Vogue’s December Issue, looking stunning in her native Denmark.

Photo Credit: Pinterest

8. Arizona Muse

Arizona Muse has been modelling for quite some time now, but it was opening and closing the Prada show in SS11 which saw her catapult to the top. Arizona has graced 20 magazine covers and was recently the face of the Louis Vuitton’s ‘L’invitation au Voyage‘ campaign also featuring David Bowie. Campaigns with DVF, Estee Lauder, Tiffany & Co, Miu Miu, Nina Ricci, Isabel Marant and Chloe have made Arizona a household name. I also have serious name envy!

Photo Credit: Pinterest

9. Lily Donaldson

Lily Donaldson has been one of my favourites for years. I don’t know whether its her street style, or her doll like face but I just think she’s amazing. Lily has been on magazine covers 28 times and has appeared in campaigns for Hugo Boss, Aldo, Uniqlo, 7 For All Mankind, Swarovski, Calvin Klein and Monsoon. I really hope to see more of Lily in the future, I think she has an amazing face for fashion campaigns.

Photo Credit: Pinterest

10. Kate Moss

No list is complete without Kate Moss. She is a true icon and no one can dispute that. With a career spanning 20 years, Kate is one of the most well known and famous models of all time. Kate has graced 96 magazine covers, walked in countless shows and been the face of campaigns for just about every brand you can think of. Despite all this, Kate is showing no signs of slowing down. I believe that she will continue to be one of the most influential people in fashion and its hard to imagine the industry without her.