Supermodels

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If you were an adult (or even a young adult) during the 1990's, you may now be wondering whatever happened to the Supermodel. Models such as Linda Evangelista, Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington, and Cindy Crawford ruled the runways and high fashion covers during this time. In fact, when one mentions the term 'supermodel', these are often the faces that come to mind. But over time the modeling industry seems to have gotten "watered down." There is certainly no shortage of models in the world. But for some reason or another, Supermodel Status evades them. So what has happened to this particular status? And furthermore, where has the Supermodel gone?

What is a supermodel anyway?

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines the supermodel as a famous and successful model. The most prominent criterion for being named a supermodel is that one must have some sort of celebrity status.

Anyone attempting to enter the modeling industry will tell you that becoming noticed by top agencies seems virtually impossible. The world of modeling can often be quite cold and ugly, with only a selected few being singled out for large campaigns and jobs. Surprisingly, the qualities that one had to have to be a "supermodel" aren't much terribly different than those one must have today. But there are some interesting reasons why this title is rarely bestowed on models currently in the business.

Models are no longer required to be "pretty."
The concept of what a model should look like has changed drastically over the years. At one time, blue-eyed blondes were all the rage. Eventually the world came to appreciate glamorous brunettes (like the late Gia Carangi), and eventually more attention turned to African-American models. The conditi ons for being a model were typically stringent, with ladies being required to adhere to strict physical proportions, while retaining their feminine curves. But over time, these standards evolved, and the subtle curves gave way to jutting hip bones, spindly legs, and bony shoulders. The faces once full of vigor, mischief, and seductiveness, began giving way to blank stares and disaffected expressions. In fact, the models strutting down catwalks in the years following the Supermodel 90's have been conventionally less "pretty" than their predecessors. Designers and agents began celebrating many different types of beauty. Models with unusual and exotic features (such as the androgynous Kristen McMenamy) started popping up on runways across the world. This served to be encouraging to the masses, as it allowed many more traditional looking women to enter the market and become successful---thus trimming away the notion of the "Supermodel."

"Video Killed the Radio Star"...

In 1979 a song called "Video Killed the Radio Star" was released by a British band called The Buggles. This song explains how the glorious days of radio entertainment were snuffed out by the introduction of television into society. The same concept might apply where supermodels are concerned. With the advent of reality television and major shifts in the entertainment industry, came the ability to become an instant star. Take Elisabeth Hasselbeck for example. The Rhode Island native parlayed her popularity on hit CBS show "Survivor" into a career in television, hopping from the Style Network, over to ABC's daytime show "The View." Though Hasselbeck is primarily known for her outspoken conservative views, her many red carpet appearances prove that the line between the "un-famous" and the infamous is very blurry.

This ideology applies to other genres in the entertainment industry. Becoming an instant celebrity through music or acting often boosts the artist's visibility. Endorsements and promotions often find these singers and actors thrust into modeling engagements. Thus, their increasing fame has ultimately edged out supermodels, as the entertainers are often just as beautiful (and more charismatic) than the models themselves. In a world where the ever-rotating demands of the masses drive the economy, people are finding that room for supermodels is slowly disappearing.