The models who made the trends

Kate Moss at the Topshop Unique Catwalk show held at the Topshop Venue at the University of Westminster in central London. Image courtesy of Doug Peters, EMPICS Entertainment

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Some models go further than showcasing the trends of the day within their careers and actively change the fashion landscape with their own unique style. Here we champion three supermodels who have helped to define some of the most exciting eras in fashion history.

Twiggy:

Lesley Hornby, better known as ‘Twiggy’, was named as “the face of 1966” by the Daily Express after a fashion journalist from the paper spotted a photograph of her sporting a new crop in the window of Mayfair hairdresser The House of Leonard.

She was, the newspaper wrote “The Cockney Kid with a face to launch a thousand shapes”, and that she did. By 1967 she had modeled in France, Japan and the US, gracing the covers of Vogue and Tatler, and her arrival at JFK airport the same year warranted nearly 100 pages of coverage in The New Yorker.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s 2009 Catalogue of Style wrote about the model, who took her name from childhood nickname ‘twigs’, referring to her thin legs: “Twiggy’s adolescent physique was the perfect frame for the androgynous styles that began to emerge in the 10960s.

The trend was manifested in a number of templates sweet A-line dresses with collars and neckties and suits and dresses that took their details from military uniform”. Modeling these mini dresses, with exaggerated eye make-up and minimalistic shapes, Twiggy helped to create the ‘Mod’ style still big with fashion fans today.

Jerry Hall:

Originally from Texas, Jerry Hall was spotted by a fashion agent whilst sunbathing on a beach in Saint Tropez. The meeting was to act as the touch-paper to her rapid ascent into the glamorous world of fashion and music. In 1975, Jerry appeared as a mermaid on the cover of Roxy Music’s album Siren, and shortly afterwards became engaged to lead singer Bryan Ferry.

By the time she left Ferry for Mick Jagger in 1977, her celebrity status and larger-than-life beauty had landed her the cover shot on 40 magazines worldwide, as well as contracts with the likes of Revlon and YSL. Jerry’s long blonde hair, sculpted features and curvy, six-foot frame was a perfect fit for the conspicuous glamour championed at trendy New York nightspots Studio 54 and 21 Club.

Indeed, as well as big hair, the model is associated with slinky maxi dresses, jumpsuits, cut-out swimwear, pussy bow details and bling accessories, such as jewels and handbags – all of which are currently enjoying a fashion revival.

Kate Moss:

Discovered in JFK airport at the age of 14 by founder of Storm Model Management Sarah Doukas, Kate Moss shot to fame two years later in 1990 thanks to Corinne Day’s black and white ‘The 3rd Summer of Love’ shoot for The Face magazine.

The waif-like, Croydon model stood out in contrast to the tall and curvaceous supermodels of the time and, suiting the stripped back, grunge clothing style popular in the 1990s, brought about a move towards a more natural-looking, edgy-yet-minimalist beauty. Moss has fronted campaigns for the likes of Calvin Klein, Chanel and Gucci and also continues to influence high street fashion trends, from women’s coats to women’s shoes.

Most recently she has been one of the fashion icons behind the revival of the ‘boho-chic’ look, and can be credited for increasing the popularity of pirate boots, biker jackets, cut-off denim shorts, kaftans and maxi dresses.