21 Jan The Most Influential Female Models of the Past Decade
As 2020 begins, let’s take a look at the most influential models of the past decade – an era described by Vogue’s Maya Singer of “casting pluralism,” in which difference and personality are valued. The beauty now just doesn’t have a face but a voice that advocated for her rights and empowered herself. The 2010’s will be remembered as the decade when inclusivity and acceptance began. The age of social media put emphasis on character, not just beauty, “creating a new metric of desirability measured on influence as much as looks.” (vogue.com)
LARA STONE
Lara Stone’s distinguishing gap tooth put her on top model lists and numerous high-fashion campaigns for Louis Vuitton, Versace Fragrance, Jaeger, H&M. In 2010, Lara made fashion history by signing with Calvin Klein as the face of all three of its brands and won British Fashion Award’s Model of the Year. She ranked number 7 in Forbes’ World’s Top-Earning Models list in 2011.
Karlie Kloss is known for her runway walk – a “moody gait,” which matches her gazelle-like frame. At 16, she walked in a whopping 64 shows. Karlie was the face of Christian Dior, Donna Karan, Lacoste, Lanvin, Juicy Couture, Stefanel, Elie Saab, Jean Paul Gaultier, Nike, Donna Karan, Lancaster, and Chanel Coco Noir fragrance campaigns.
Aside from modeling, Karlie is an avid computer programmer and together with Flatiron School and Code.org created Kode with Klossy, a scholarship for young girls interested in computer science and software engineering. She also made a special recipe called Karlie’s Kookies sold during Fashion’s Night Out with proceeds going to hungry children around the world.
Cara Delevingne is the original “Instamodel,” ranked 20th in Evening Standard’s Power 1000 list because of her huge media following. In 2013, she was the most Google-d fashion figure and most re-blogged model on Tumblr. She has walked the runway for Burberry, Marc Jacobs, Fendi, Givenchy, Yves Saint Laurent, Chanel and Stella McCartney, usually opening and/or closing for each show and has appeared in ad campaigns for YSL, DKNY, TAG Heuer, Alexander Wang and Mango. In 2015, Cara ranked 2nd in Forbes’ World’s Highest-Paid Models list.
Though Cara has recently been in a hiatus from runway modeling, she has been busy with acting, developing her music, designing for DKNY and Mulberry, and writing.
LIU WEN
Liu Wen was dubbed by The New York Times as “China’s first bona fide supermodel.” She has a number of notable and groundbreaking fashion moments including the first East Asian model to walk the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, the first East Asian spokesmodel for the Estee Lauder Companies, the first Asian model to ever make Forbes’ World’s Highest-Paid Models list, and the second Chinese model to appear on the cover of American Vogue.
The first Asian model to receive the honor of “New Supermodel” from www.models.com, Wen has walked the runway for Burberry, Givenchy, and Schiaparelli. She has set the record for the most shows ever walked by an Asian model in a single season.
GIGI HADID
Gigi Hadid, one of the decade’s “Insta girls,” is not only associated with pop culture but has earned a place in the elite of elite models. The British Fashion Awards’ International Model of the Year in 2016, Gigi has catwalked for Marc Jacobs, Chanel, Michael Kors, Jean Paul Gaultier, Versace, Elie Saab, Fendi, Anna Sui, Valentino, Balmain, Diane Von Furstenberg, Tommy Hilfiger, and Giambattista Valli and is brand ambassador for Tommy Hilfiger and Reebok.
Gigi is also a designer having worked with Stuart Weitzman for her boot collection, collaborations with Vogue Eyewear and Messika Jewelry, a ready-to-wear collection with Tommy Hilfiger, and sneaker designs with Reebok. She is also a photographer, host, and works with UNICEF to help children around the world.
KAIA GERBER
A runway natural, Kaia Gerber has walked for Raf Simons, Alexander Wand, Prada, and Versace. She has appeared in campaigns for Versace, Calvin Klein, Marc Jacobs, Karl Lagerfeld and Omega and has graced magazine covers for Vogue, Teen Vogue, and Pop Magazine.
In 2018, Kaia made headlines for having higher social media engagement than Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid or Gigi Hadid. In the same year, she was awarded Model of the Year at The Fashion Awards and collaborated with Karl Lagerfeld to create KarlxKaia collection.
Kendall Jenner may have started out in her family’s reality television show, but she has earned her place in high fashion. She has walked the runways for Marc Jacobs, Givenchy, Chanel, Donna Karan, Diane Von Furstenberg, Fendi, Pucci, and Balmain. She had ad campaigns for Calvin Klein Jeans, Penshoppe, Mango, and La Perla.
Kendall, aside from being one of the top models, is also a businesswoman with various ventures in creating nail lacquers, jewelry, swimwear, lipstick, shoes, and handbags together with her sisters and was named the World’s Highest-Paid Model in 2018. She is also a photographer and often raises money for different charities, a positive offshoot of being an “Insta Girl” and a reality television star.
The razor-sharp cheekbones and sultry stare of Bella Hadid earned her the Model of the Year award voted by industry professionals in 2016. One of the most in-demand models, she has walked for Givenchy, Chanel, Alexander Wang, Carolina Herrera, Versace, and Oscar de la Renta and has starred in campaigns for DKNY, TAG Heuer, and Boghossian Jewels.
ASHLEY GRAHAM
Ashley Graham was the first size 16 model to be featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in 2016. She promotes body positivity and advocates self-acceptance with regards to body images. Aside from being featured in magazines such as Glamour and Vogue, she is also a television presenter.
ADWOA ABOAH
Adwoa Aboah, Model of the Year in 2017 for models.com and British GQ’s Woman of the Year, has modeled for Calvin Klein, Fendi, DKNY, Alexander Wang, and Kenzo among others and is also an actress. She runs Gurls Talk, an online community to discuss issues around mental health, relationships, etc.
PHOTO CREDITS
Lara Stone from @LaraStone | Twitter
Karlie Kloss from Vogue Mexico
Cara Delevingne from favim.com
Liu Wen from @katya_penkina | weheartit.com
Gigi Hadid from pinterest.com
Kaia Gerber from vistapointe.net
Kendall Jenner by Mert Alas
Bella Hadid from zimbio.com
Ashley Graham from mamamia.com.au
Adwoa Aboah from Fashion.ie
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