What The Original Supermodels Look Like Today

These days when someone says supermodel, you probably think of young beauties like Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner, or even Instagram stars like Alexis Ren. But before this new crop of models, there were the original supermodels — those who walked the high fashion runways and graced magazine cover, after magazine cover. Not many models become household names, and even less have careers that span decades. But these women defied the odds. Here's what the original supermodels look like today.

Supermodel Linda Evangelista revealed to Interview that her agents told her when she first started modeling in the '80s to expect a career span of three years. Instead, she became one of the most well-known, sought after models in history, to the point that she famously claimed she wouldn't "get out of bed for less than $10,000 a day." Her work includes print and runway, and she even appeared in a couple George Michael music videos. Today, she's a working mother, finding time to serve as the vice president, creative director, and spokesperson for topical wrinkle-erasing concentrate, Erasa.

While you may recognize supermodel Naomi Campbell best from that infamous 2006 cell phone throwing incident, she first made a name for herself on the runways, in music videos, and even as the first black cover model for Vogue — but it wasn't always easy. 

"When I started out, I wasn't being booked for certain shows because of the colour of my skin," she wrote in the Guardian. Her career has never really slowed down. She's since served as the executive producer for the reality show The Face, made guest appearances in shows like American Horror Story and Empire, and even interviewed Vladimir Putin.

Supermodel Helena Christensen's breakout moment is undoubtedly her sultry appearance in Chris Isaak's 1989 "Wicked Game" music video. From there, she went on to model for CoverGirl and Victoria's Secret. Though she walked the runway alongside the best of the best, photographer Max Vadukul claims Christensen was different. "She doesn't like to be in the limelight all the time," he told The Guardian, who reports that Christensen retired at 31. 

She's since had a son with The Walking Dead actor Norman Reedus and co-founded NYLON magazine. But she hasn't given up on the fashion world completely — she's found happiness working as a photographer. "I don't ever once talk about stopping for lunch as a photographer," she told My Domaine  in 2015. "But as a model I want to stop for lunch like an hour into the shoot."

Discovered at age 17 and chosen by Karl Lagerfeld himself to be a Chanel model, Claudia Schiffer has worked with some of the greatest in the fashion world (like Richard Avedon, Gianni Versace, and Mario Testino, just to name a few). 

But in 1996, Schiffer was shocked to learn Lagerfeld no longer wanted her as the face of Chanel. Luckily, that didn't slow her down. She continued modeling and even dabbled in some acting, appearing in films like Zoolander and Love Actually. In 2002, she married director Matthew Vaughn with whom she has three kids.

An original Victoria's Secret model, Vogue cover girl, and former girlfriend of Guns N' Roses frontman Axl Rose (a relationship she told Harper's Bazaar was "clearly a mistake"), Stephanie Seymour is no stranger to the spotlight. She made waves again in 2016 when she was arrested for driving under the influence. Later that year, she went after today's popular models, like Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner, saying that they weren't supermodels, but rather, "b****es of the moment."

Some might argue with Janice Dickinson's legacy as a supermodel, but she claimed in 2006 that she was the first to coin the term "supermodel" so for that, she earns a place on this list. Dickinson has had a life full of ups and downs. Though she spent some time struggling with drug and alcohol addiction, Dickinson eventually recovered. 

Many people today recognize her as an outspoken America's Next Top Model judge or Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew cast member. In 2016, Dickinson revealed she was diagnosed with breast cancer. "It's still quite shocking," she told Daily Mail. "But I am not gonna let that define me, the fear."