New York is the heart of commercial and high-fashion branding. "7th Avenue" is synonymous with American fashion excellence.
Tyra Banks pivoted a historic high-fashion career into a media empire. She was the first Black woman to grace the covers of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue and the Victoria's Secret catalog.
The 2000s saw the return of the Brazilian bombshell and the rise of the model-turned-entrepreneur. supermodels from 7 17 top
: Redefined the industry in the 90s with the "waif" look and "heroin chic" aesthetic. Helena Christensen Stephanie Seymour
: The rock-and-roll muses who rounded out the apex elite tier of early 90s glamour. New York is the heart of commercial and
: The newcomer with an ethereal, almost alien beauty. She had been discovered at a bus stop in a rainstorm and, within weeks, became the face of most ambitious campaign. The "Diamond Light" Gala
Heidi Klum transitioned from a Victoria’s Secret Angel into a global television powerhouse. Her bubbly personality made her a favorite for commercial brands worldwide. She was the first Black woman to grace
By these metrics, the of the combined 7-17 list are: Naomi Campbell (cultural longevity), Gisele Bündchen (financial earnings), and Kate Moss (stylistic impact).
Launched IMAN Cosmetics to provide diverse makeup shades for women of color.
Nicknamed "Supernova," Natalia Vodianova grew up in poverty in Russia, helping her mother sell fruit on the street. At age 15, she enrolled in a modeling academy, and by 17, she was scouted by a Paris agency. Her rise was meteoric; before her 18th birthday, Vodianova moved to France, mastered English, and signed a lucrative contract with Viva Models, setting up her run as one of the century's most successful faces. 9. Karolina Kurkova
: Famous for saying they wouldn't "wake up for less than $10,000 a day". Christy Turlington