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Strike a Pose: 9 Iconic British Supermodels
What defines a supermodel? Someone who could rival the brands they front in renown, personality and wealth – and these British women are some of the most notable in the world.
Words Jessica Beresford
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Jean Shrimpton
Although there are plenty of people who claim to be the first supermodel, Jean Shrimpton is possibly the most legitimate contestant for the title. Born in Buckinghamshire in 1942, the model got her break in 1960 when she met photographer David Bailey, who was shooting for British Vogue. The pair went on to have an extremely successful creative relationship, with each attributing the other with their respective success. Shrimpton is perhaps best remembered as an icon of the swinging ‘60s, and has even been credited with popularising shorter hemlines – a radical move at the time. Photograph by Stan Meagher/Express/Getty Images, 1966.
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Kate Moss
Having appeared on more than 100 covers of Vogue around the world, Kate Moss is arguably the most famous British supermodel and, still fronting magazines and campaigns at 43, one of the most enduring. Discovered at just 14, Moss first found success when she was photographed by Corinne Day for the cover of The Face. Moss was instrumental in popularising the controversial ‘heroin chic’ movement – with her svelte frame and androgynous look – as evidenced in her 1993 Calvin Klein ad alongside Mark Wahlberg. Photograph by Christoph Martin, 1992.
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Twiggy
“I was this funny, skinny little thing with eyelashes and long legs, who had grown up hating how I looked,” Twiggy once said – but in 1966, her slight frame changed the modelling industry. Before she was discovered, models tended to be more akin to Marilyn Monroe: curvy, buxom and ultra-feminine. Twiggy, aka Lesley Lawson, was an androgynous contradiction to that ideal, with short hair, big eyes and long, skinny limbs – and the fashion world loved her. Photograph by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images, 1967.
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Naomi Campbell
As the only British supermodel to feature in the 1980s’ gang, Naomi Campbell has more than earned her place as an iconic figure of the industry. Early in her career, she was taken under the wing of Azzedine Alaïa, who taught her about the fashion business and introduced her to famous names. As well as being the first black model to appear on the cover of TIME, French Vogue and American Vogue’s September issue, Campbell has been vocal about the discrimination she faced compared with her white peers, and was instrumental in paving the way for her successors. Photograph by Patrick Demarchelier/American Vogue, 1992.
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Yasmin Le Bon
With an olive complexion, dark features and a slight frame, Yasmin Le Bon’s appeal is hardly surprising – although when she started out, her look was a stark contrast to the blonde, pin-up models that were prevalent at the time. Le Bon rose to fame in the 1980s, appearing on Vogue and the first covers of British and American Elle. She also wed Duran Duran singer Simon Le Bon in 1985, who she is still married to and has three children with. Photograph by Peter Lindbergh for US Vogue, December 1987.
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Erin O'Connor
Once described by Karl Lagerfeld as “one of the best models in the world”, Erin O’Connor is not your classic beauty, yet her poise and angular bone structure make for an exceptional photograph. O’Connor was first shot by Juergen Teller for i-D in 1996, and went on to walk for all the major fashion houses and cover British Vogue alongside Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss and Stella Tennant. In recent times, she’s been vocal about the treatment of models, setting up a 'sanctuary' during London Fashion Week offering career advice, and health and fitness tips. Photograph by John-Paul Pietrus, 2015.
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Pattie Boyd
Although she’s graced the covers of Vogue, Pattie Boyd is perhaps most famously known as the subject of some of the most well-known songs in the world – thanks to her knack for courting musicians. In 1966, she married the Beatle’s George Harrison, who reportedly wrote I Need You and Something about the star. In the late ‘60s, Eric Clapton fell in love with Boyd, and wrote Layla to profess his love to her. Following the end of her and Harrison’s marriage, she wed Clapton, who then wrote the hit Wonderful Tonight about her. Photograph by Chaloner Woods/Getty Images, 1964.
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Agyness Deyn
Credited with reviving the term 'supermodel' after it was declared dead by TIME magazine in 1998, Agyness Deyn – formerly Laura Hollins – was scouted in Kentish Town while shopping with best friend Henry Holland at 19. Although her hair has taken on various guises over the years, she's best known for her peroxide-blond pixie cut, which has graced covers, runways and tabloids over the years. Photograph by Alasdair McLellan for Burberry, 2017.
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Stella Tennant
As the daughter of a duke and an aristocrat, Stella Tennant was always going to draw attention – and it was photographer Steven Meisel who launched her career in the pages of a 1993 issue of British Vogue. With a short crop, angular face and long limbs, Tennant has always been a high-fashion favourite, walking for countless Chanel shows and appearing in campaigns for Burberry and Dior. Photograph by Walter Chin for Vogue Italia, August 1995.
60s, British, British Heroes, Jean Shrimpton, Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, supermodels, Twiggy
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