: The second Black model ever to open for Prada, now a staple of major fashion weeks. Alex Consani
: This season shifted the focus from pure modeling to "branding," reflecting the modern evolution where models are also social media influencers and entrepreneurs. Contemporary "Top" Rankings (2017–Present)
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If the 70s had a face, it was Lauren Hutton’s. With her signature gap-toothed smile and refusal to fix it, she brought an authentic, approachable flaw to high fashion. She became the first model to secure a massive exclusive contract with a cosmetics brand (Revlon), paving the way for the multimillion-dollar deals of the future. She wasn't just wearing the clothes; she was the cool, athletic woman you wanted to be friends with. supermodels from 7 17 top
Combined high-fashion campaign power with commercial appeal; prominent global wildlife advocate.
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
The Canadian princess of the avant-garde. Harlow had a unique face that could look alien or angelic. She was the favorite of designer Alexander McQueen (sprayed by robots at his 1999 show). : The second Black model ever to open
Comparing the "7" to the "17" reveals a shift in power. The Big 7 were discovered on street corners and built their empires on magazine covers and runway shows. They were untouchable goddesses. The modern Top 17, conversely, often come with built-in platforms. They are entrepreneurs, activists, and influencers who control their own narratives via social media.
Joan Smalls moved from Puerto Rico to New York City after graduating high school early, signing her first contract at age 17. Though her absolute peak came a few years later, her late teen years were defined by intense hustle, catalog work, and runway castings that built the foundation for her history-making career as the first Latina ambassador for Estée Lauder. 14. Cara Delevingne
A pioneer who paved the way for every diverse supermodel who followed. 10. Heidi Klum If the 70s had a face, it was Lauren Hutton’s
Cara Delevingne signed with Storm Management at age 17 in 2009. Her striking, thick eyebrows and goofy, relatable personality on social media disrupted the traditionally aloof image of supermodels. Within months of her debut, she became the face of Burberry, capturing the youth culture of the early 2010s and proving that personality could be a model's greatest asset. 15. Gigi Hadid
Known for her unmatched runway walk and fierce screen presence, Campbell broke racial barriers in fashion and remains an enduring icon.
The defining supermodel of the digital, influencer-driven fashion era. 17. Bella Hadid