Model
Kate Moss in Obsession by Calvin Klein
Twiggy, photo unidentified
Supermodel
A supermodel is a famous and extremely highly paid fashion model. The term also implies steady access to work, uncommon in the highly volatile fashion industry. They are, almost by definition, sex symbols. The term emerged in the 1970s, though a number of models had become famous in their own right as far back as Dorian Leigh in the late 1940s.Supermodels of today are globally famous, and parlay their celebrity for product endorsement deals and often into acting careers. Supermodels who have made the switch include Milla Jovovich, Elle Macpherson and Rebecca Romijn-Stamos.
In the past many supermodels were female, however today more and more male models are also becoming famous.--http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supermodel [Aug 2004]
Twiggy [...]
Twiggy was the most famous model of the Sixties. Her big break came when she was named "The Face of 1966" by a British newspaper. Her career was spurred on by her Svengali-like boyfriend-slash-manager at the time Justin De Villeneuve (not his real name!). With her skinny body, large eyes, and boyish haircut, she was the idol of many young girls in the Sixties. Twiggy look-alike contests were held, and a variety of Twiggy merchandise was sold, such as lunchboxes, vinyl coin purses, paper dolls, and board games. In America, Mattel, manufacturer of the Barbie (R) doll, manufactured a Twiggy doll with great Mod ensembles sold separately. Twiggy started a new fashion model image: the waif (long before Kate Moss popularized it in the mid-Nineties). As the decade progressed, Twiggy grew her hair, and became more interested in the Thirties-style of fashions such as those designed by Biba. By the Seventies Twiggy had broken free of Justin, and became involved in singing and acting, as well as continuing to model. She has appeared in several films, and even a short-lived sitcom in Americacalled "Princesses" with future-Nanny Fran Drescher. She has also released several albums. She wrote three books: "Twiggy by Twiggy" in 1968, "Twiggy: An Autobiography" in 1973, and, most recently, "Twiggy in Black and White" in 1998.
Kate Moss
Kate Moss, photo unidentified
image sourced here.
Kate Moss (born January 16, 1974), is British model who was once the "Face of Calvin Klein". Born in Addiscombe, Croydon, Surrey, England, Moss with a height of 5' 8" or 173 cm is considered to be the one of the shortest super-models in the world.
Moss was discovered in 1988 by Sarah Doukas (founder, Storm Model Agency [1]), when she was only 14. After being shot topless for the British magazine The Face and other various magazines soon after, she was photographed on a remote location by then boyfriend and fashion photographer Mario Sorrenti which provided the shots for what would turn out to one of Calvin Kleins more controversial ad campaigns. The ad for the fragrance Obsession featured a young nude Moss and sparked outrage amongst special interest groups in America. It did however solidify her title as the "waif" amongst the then current group of famous super-models. She was as a result thereafter featured as the representative and the "face" for such Haute Couture brands as Versace, Chanel, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana and many other top fashion houses.
Kate Moss is cited often as having started the trend of the controversial waif look that biased critics claim encourages anorexia in young girls and women. It should be noted however given her height she is no thinner or has a smaller mass than most other current high fashion models.
On September 29, 2002, Moss gave birth to her daughter Lila Graceyfriend at the St. John and Elizabeth Hospital in West London.
Moss recently sought help for a 'sleeping disorder' at a top London Clinic, after being exhausted with a busy year in modelling, raising her daughter and facing relationship problems with various boyfriends.
In early 2005 Moss began dating former Libertines' frontman Pete Doherty, who made headlines due to his crack cocaine and heroin abuse. In the past Moss has been in many high profile relationships and has commonly been romantically linked with such celebrities as Johnny Depp and Lenny Kravitz.
In February 2005, a nude portrait of Kate Moss by Lucian Freud was sold for £3.93 million.
After more than a decade in the modeling business Moss is cited by Forbes Magazine as continually one of the most influential and richest of celebrities worldwide. In England she is listed simply as one of the richest woman alive. --http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kate_Moss [Jul 2005]
see also: heroin chic - fashion - women
A Taxonomy of model ranking
What are better terms for all those models? ie. a taxonomy of model ranking. (excerpted from pins&needles in Harper's Bazaar by Woody Hochswender)
"Remember the good old days when men were men, and models were either just plain models or supermodels? Well, there is now a more elaborate system of model categories to accomodate the glut of new, old, and veteran talent. Lauren Hutton, Rosie Vela, Patti Hansen, Beverly Johnson, and other over 40 stars are now called the Ultramodels. The new Supermodels are Kate, Amber, Nadja, Shalom, and Emma. The former Supermodels ==Christy, Naomi, Linda et al.== are now known as Megamodels. Get all that?
Supermodels-Faq [...]
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