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Okay, here's a possibly contentious one - what is the definition of supermodel?

Personally, I find the word completely overused. It seems every model who makes it on TV or into a magazine is a supermodel these days, and it annoys the crap out of me.

So what's your own definition of the term 'supermodel'? When does a beauty stop being a model, or a top model, and become a supermodel?

Wikipedia has a pretty good definition: "A supermodel is a highly paid fashion model in an elite group with a worldwide reputation." At least they see it as an exclusive group, and require that the model has a world-wide status.

Personally I think a supermodel is a model who is internationally recognised, but more-so actually has the potential to move clothing off shelves.

anyone with an underwear line :)

hahaha i agree with ren :P

i would have to say its someone who can make good money out of selling there image to the public.

Post by Ren

anyone with an underwear line :)

So Kylie would be a supermodel then?

Well Janice Dickinson, self proclaimed 'first supermodel' says that not only was she the first supermodel but that she coined the term also.
She confesses that it was actually back when Superman first came about & she had a heap of bookings & her agent said to her that she should slow down & who did she think she was? Superman??
Janice replied, I'm Supermodel.
And the rest is history!!

Pfft, she wishes.

However, according to Model: The Ugly Business of Beautiful Women by Michael Gross, the first known use of the term "supermodel" was in the 1940s by an agent named Clyde Matthew Dessner in a "how-to" book he wrote about modeling.

I think to be a super-model you have to be the person that people buy the product because of you and not the product...if you are just a pretty face, you are selling the product, but if you are super-model someone is buying it because of you and not the product (ie; I wanted the Nikon s6 just because Kate did the adverts)
And yeah, there definitely has to be some world-wide recognition...current supermodels would probably be:
Kate Moss...and um...help me out? There aren't that many who qualify.

Yeah, we're basically on the same page, and I too was stuck for more than three names that you could possibly put to the term. These aren't conventional really.

1. Kate Moss. THE supermodel, actually I think she's gone beyond that. She's a hypermodel these days. She could wear a garbage bag and we'd go out and buy them.

2. Sienna Miller. While not just a model (though those are her origins) as a 'street model' (thanks to the paparazzi) she's managed to push a lot of trends. Prior to the boho and 60s looks coming back in, she was wearing them. Unlike Moss, who moves exact brands, Miller manages to move exact looks that has high street trying to keep up.

3. Giselle. She's managed to traverse a lot of catwalks for a lot of different brands (which is different to most of her co-Angels) and certainly moves stock for Victoria's Secret.

constantly working, extremely well known, respected, smart,hot.
never thought about it till now! interesting to dwell on