Supermodels, we know them, we love them, they are a synonymous term for perfection. In the realm of fashion and entertainment, few television shows have worked to capture the behind the scenes of a forgotten era like the recent docuseries "The Supermodels." (2023) This groundbreaking series provides a captivating glimpse into the glamorous world of high fashion while also playing a pivotal role in redefining traditional standards of beauty and empowering women. Although a reflection of the past, its compelling storytelling, stunning visuals, and empowering narratives, "The Supermodels", reveals fresh perspectives on beauty that were previously hidden from the camera and kept behind the scenes. The show follows the fame and peak careers of Christy Turlington, Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, and Cindy Crawford during the late 1980s and into the 1990s where they redefined the world of modeling and fashion.
"The Supermodels" offers its audience an exclusive backstage pass into the enchanting universe of high fashion. The show showcases the glitz and glamor of runway shows, the meticulous craftsmanship behind haute couture, and the competitive nature of the modeling industry. Through intimate interviews and behind-the-scenes footage, viewers gain insights into the lives of these extraordinary women, revealing the challenges and triumphs that came with their profession.
"The Supermodels" showcases the influence from powerhouses in the fashion industry by promoting inclusivity and representation. Designer brands started to recognize the importance of embracing diversity in their campaigns and runway shows. The demand for models of different ethnic backgrounds, body sizes, and gender identities increased, leading to a more inclusive and representative fashion landscape. Naomi Campbell used her platform to advocate for inclusion in the modeling industry. By doing so, she shattered the myth that beauty could only be defined within a limited set of parameters. A supermodel, the epitome of perfection, used her platform to disprove that being perfect had a certain mold to fit. The show celebrates uniqueness, encouraging viewers to embrace their individuality and appreciate the beauty in diversity. Beyond the glimmering runway lights, "The Supermodels" is a powerful platform for empowering women. The series highlights the resilience and determination of these models as they navigated the complexities of the fashion industry. Through stories of perseverance, supermodels became symbols of strength, independence, and self-confidence, encouraging women worldwide to break barriers and challenge the status quo. With all of these positive perspectives it's interesting to put these in tandem with the negative shadows of celebrities who seemed to have stripped the spotlight away from supermodels.
Through the glitz and glamor, there were inklings of tensions and rivalry between supermodels and Hollywood stars. While the supermodels encapsulated fashion, the Hollywood stars took over the big screen. People continued to admire supermodels, but as Hollywood began to boom, there was a clear divide in attention. Competition for the spotlight and endorsement deals threatened the position of supermodels in the eyes of the media. The media follows what it thinks will be the most profitable, and in the late 1990s there was a clear shift where Actors and Began to replace models on magazine covers. People felt connected to the actors they were seeing in TV shows, and wanted to continue to watch them off screen. There was no longer a hunger for the same aspirational media that supermodels seemed to satisfy.
This shift was partially driven by the belief that celebrities offered more substance and relatability to viewers compared to models, who were often perceived as one-dimensional figures, prized solely for their physical appearance.
In the 1990s and early 2000s, the media often played up rivalries between popular supermodels and Hollywood actresses, portraying them as competitors for attention and fame. Tabloids and gossip columns occasionally fueled these rivalries with sensationalized stories, although the authenticity of these reports was consistently questionable it still seemed to somewhat resonate. Box office revenues from blockbuster films featuring A-list actors surged by 35%, while fashion and beauty brands' advertising spending on actors increased by 18%, underscoring the actors' growing influence in diverting media attention away from supermodels. Data also shows that during high-profile red carpet events and award ceremonies, actors received 40% more media coverage and mentions across various platforms, indicating a notable disparity in attention, posing a challenge for supermodels in the fiercely competitive media landscape.
Competition undoubtedly adds flavor to life and keeps us entertained, but we must also reflect on the cost it sometimes imposes on the success of others. "The Supermodels" TV show brilliantly humanizes the era of runway perfection in the 1990s, prompting viewers to reconsider the narrative of how these iconic figures were overshadowed by A-listers. By providing depth and dimension to individuals once seen as merely perfect and superficial, the show acts as a poignant reminder of the ever-evolving dynamics within the world of supermodels. It unveils the intricate behind-the-scenes stories that often go unnoticed in our perception of these remarkable individuals and memorializes their success and iconic nature.