No, not like that. What I mean is, do you want to be her? Do you dream of luxury, millions of awestruck eyes caressing your perfect body, and endorsement deals that make you barf with disbelief? Ah my sweet children say it with me: supermodel.
The reality of today’s high fashion models is akin to a firework: everyone’s talking, it’s big, bright, and absolutely stunning. Only, 20 seconds later it’s gone, another in its place, just as bright and definitely just as stunning. Maybe that is a terrible analogy, but it’s probably also just an indication of the American obsession with innovation and fresh, new design: The Next Big Thing! History shows us that we don’t have to wait long for the new to become the old, and even faster than that is the transition from old to forgotten. However, with the rise of a new generation comes a new gaggle of gorgeous. Today’s supers don’t just have the hair, stems, or height. This new crop has voices, personalities, talents, and looks that are redefining beauty and the slippery meaning of role model. Along with that, modern social media offers us fleeting glimpses into their pretty rad lives.
I know it’s not Thursday, but let’s throw it back to the 90s for a hot second. Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington, Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, and Tatjana Patitz were featured on the cover of the 1990 January cover of British Vogue. With the force of one million turbo jets, they skyrocketed to celebrity status, quickly emerging onto every known magazine cover, runway, editorial, and/or advertisement in circulation. They became the faces of not only brands and products, but also fashion houses and families.
And so we pass the Supers of the 90s, the wave of Brazilian bombshells in the early 00s, right up to today: an overwhelmingly diverse group of It girls walk the biggest shows, star in the newest campaigns, and steal hearts left and right, not only with their bodies, but with their voices. Karlie Kloss, Hilary Rhoda, Cara Delevigne, and Jourdan Dunn are all top models in the industry right now, boasting impressive numbers in both annual salary and Twitter/Instagram followers (click their names to check their latest Instas!). This newfangled accessibility (Models! They’re Just Like Us!) offers unique insight into these young women’s lives, and their day-to-day endeavors. Cara will tweet about her lunch one day, and posts a picture of herself canoodling with Karl Lagerfeld the next day. We feel fashionable and assured by association—Hilary eats burgers, so I’ll eat a burger too!
Whether positive or negative, social media interaction brings us closer to celebrities and famous young people than ever before. Take a cue from this season’s brightest: amp up your Twitter game, or Insta with new fervor. And keep an eye out for these stars. They’re up and ready for big, beautiful, sparkly things.