Then and now: Supermodels of the ‘80s and ‘90s

You may have heard the old adage, "beauty fades," but these stunning supermodels prove that statement wrong. The '80s and '90s were a golden era for supermodels, and their iconic looks and styles still inspire the fashion industry today. Many of these beauties were not only strikingly beautiful, but also fiercely independent and trailblazers in their own right. Here we have rounded up some of the most famous supermodels of that era to see what they're up to now. From Naomi Campbell to Cindy Crawford, we'll take a look at their careers, their lives, and their legacy. So, grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and let's take a trip down memory lane!

1. Cindy Crawford

First up is the legendary Cindy Crawford. She kickstarted her career at the young age of 17 when she placed second in Elite Model Management's Look of the Year contest. This was only the beginning of a long and illustrious career that made her one of the most sought-after models of the '80s and '90s.

Cindy has since retired from modeling, but she's kept herself busy with a successful furniture line and her own skincare brand, Meaningful Beauty. She's also a proud mother of two successful models, her daughter Kaia and son Presley. And, for those who miss seeing her strut her stuff on the runway, she made a surprise appearance at the Versace Spring/Summer 2018 show alongside other iconic supermodels like Naomi Campbell, Claudia Schiffer, and Helena Christensen.

2. Gisele Bundchen

After being discovered by the Elite Modeling Agency at the young age of 14, Gisele Bundchen started her modeling career. She went on to become one of the most prominent Victoria's Secret Angels of all time and posed for some of the biggest names in fashion.

While Gisele has retired from runway shows, she's kept herself busy with various business ventures. In 2001, she launched her own line of flip-flop sandals, Ipanema Gisele Bundchen, which has sold over 25 million pairs annually. In 2010, she also launched her own skincare line. As a staunch supporter of environmental causes, Gisele has been vocal about promoting the use of fake fur and even posed for Vogue Paris in August 2017 wearing a faux fur coat. She's also produced and starred in documentaries advocating for climate control. In her personal life, Gisele married NFL quarterback Tom Brady in 2009 and has two children with him, Benjamin and Vivian.

3. Christy Turlington

At just 17 years old, Christy Turlington was already making waves in the modeling world when she appeared in Duran Duran's "Notorious" music video. But this California girl didn't stop there. In fact, success as a model wasn't enough for her - she enrolled at New York University to pursue a degree in comparative religion and Eastern philosophy. And she succeeded! In 1999, Christy graduated from NYU with flying colors.

But that's not all - Christy Turlington is a true superwoman. Not only does she continue to work regularly as a model, but she's also a devoted wife and mother to two children. In 2014, she and her husband Ed Burns even co-starred in a Calvin Klein ad campaign for their Eternity fragrances. But Christy's not just about glamour - she founded Every Mother Counts, a nonprofit organization that's dedicated to making pregnancy and childbirth safe for every mother. In 2017, she and her husband signed on as the campaign stars for Calvin Klein Eternity and Calvin Klein Intense fragrances. She also graced the cover of Vogue Paris in April of that year and was one of 15 women picked to cover the September issue of British Vogue in 2019. With her beauty, brains, and philanthropy, Christy Turlington is truly an inspiration.

4. Claudia Schiffer

One of the most iconic supermodels of the '90s, Claudia Schiffer, made a name for herself as the face of Guess and Chanel. The German beauty has graced over 1,000 magazine covers and even captured the heart of magician David Copperfield in the mid-'90s. Despite a slight slowdown in her modeling career, Claudia has continued to be a fashion icon, launching her own cashmere clothing line in 2011.

She also made a memorable appearance in the beloved rom-com "Love Actually" and stunned on the runway alongside other supermodels at the Versace spring/summer 2018 show. To celebrate her 30th year in the industry, Rizzoli published "Claudia Schiffer," a stunning collection of her most iconic fashion moments. With a loving husband and three children, Claudia's legacy as a fashion icon and devoted mother continues to inspire.

5. Helena Christensen

Helena Christensen's modeling career skyrocketed at the young age of 20. She quickly rose to prominence, working with the biggest names in fashion, securing a coveted deal with Revlon, and even starring in Chris Isaak's iconic "Wicked Game" music video. She was also one of the original Victoria's Secret Angels, and had a high-profile romance with the late Michael Hutchence of INXS.

But Helena's success didn't end there. In recent years, she has made a name for herself as a talented photographer, with her work appearing on the pages of top fashion magazines like Vogue and ELLE. In 2016, she even launched her own collection of boyfriend shirts, the Helena Christensen for Thomson line. And her personal life has been just as intriguing, with her relationship with Interpol frontman Paul Banks going strong since 2008.

Despite the rise of social media-fueled models like Cara Delevingne and Kendall Jenner, Helena has remained a true original. As she told The Telegraph in 2016, "I was very happy with just being an elusive, mysterious figure that just appeared in photo shoots." But that hasn't stopped her from continuing to make waves in the fashion world, strutting her stuff on the runway for Versace's spring/summer 2018 show during Milan Fashion Week.

6. Naomi Campbell

Naomi Campbell's journey to becoming one of the most recognizable supermodels in the world began with a chance encounter with a talent scout who spotted her while she was shopping. But before that, she had already made appearances in music videos for Bob Marley and Culture Club as a child star. With her striking looks and fierce runway walk, Naomi quickly rose to the top of the modeling industry, alongside fellow icons Christy Turlington and Linda Evangelista, as part of "The Trinity."

Now, with over 500 magazine covers under her belt, Naomi Campbell is still going strong as one of the world's top models. But she's also made a name for herself in television, appearing in shows like "Empire," "American Horror Story," and "Star." Her romantic history is equally fascinating, having been linked to a range of high-profile figures like Mike Tyson, Robert De Niro, and One Direction's Liam Payne.

Though Naomi has had her fair share of controversial moments in the past, she's also an active supporter of various international charities, earning her the title of "honorary granddaughter" from the late Nelson Mandela. In recent years, Naomi has continued to expand her career, landing her first beauty contract with NARS and appearing in Beyonce's visual album film "Black Is King." With her undeniable talent and iconic presence, Naomi Campbell's influence in the fashion and entertainment worlds shows no signs of slowing down.

7. Paulina Porizkova

Paulina Porizkova's modeling career skyrocketed at just 18 years old when she graced the cover of the 1984 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. That same year, she also starred in The Cars' iconic music video for "Drive." After becoming the face of Estée Lauder, the Czech beauty continued to dominate the modeling industry and expanded her horizons with a foray into film. She also made waves in the reality TV world by competing on "Dancing With the Stars" in 2007 and serving as a judge on "America's Next Top Model" from 2008 to 2010. Alongside her successful career, Paulina also released a children's book and her debut novel "A Model Summer" in 2007.

Throughout her personal life, Paulina has made headlines for her relationships, including her marriage to the late Ric Ocasek of The Cars, with whom she had two sons. The supermodel also candidly shares her thoughts on aging and beauty standards on social media. In 2020, she made waves with a makeup-free selfie and empowering caption about embracing the aging process. Despite facing challenges, Paulina continues to inspire with her resilience, creativity, and unwavering commitment to being her authentic self.