Vogue Recreates Iconic Supermodel Cover for September Issue
In a tribute to the golden era of supermodels in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Vogue magazine has recreated the iconic January 1990 cover featuring Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington, Cindy Crawford, Tatjana Patitz, and Linda Evangelista. The image, originally captured by photographer Peter Lindberg, marked the rise of the supermodel phenomenon. The recreated cover will be featured on both the UK and US editions of Vogue’s September issue, under the headline “The Greatest of All Time,” as a nod to their enduring influence.
However, this edition of the cover is missing Tatjana Patitz, who tragically passed away earlier this year. As the remaining four supermodels reflect on their experiences during that era, they are also excitedly anticipating the release of the much-anticipated documentary, “The Super Models,” which will air on Apple TV in September.
The magazine feature offers a glimpse into what the supermodel era was like, highlighting their sudden rise to fame and the frenzied attention they received. It mentions their appearance in George Michael’s music video for “Freedom! ’90,” where all five models from the original Vogue cover made an iconic cameo.
Linda Evangelista recalls the overwhelming reaction to the video and their subsequent appearance as the finale of a Versace show, where they lip-synced to George Michael’s hit song as they strutted down the runway. The models became instant celebrities, with Evangelista famously stating, “We don’t wake up for less than $10,000 a day.”
Despite their glamorous lives, the supermodels faced their fair share of challenges. Naomi Campbell opens up about how her life changed with fame, sharing a personal moment captured by paparazzi outside an NA meeting in 2001. She reflects on feeling ashamed of her recovery, emphasizing the importance of discussing such topics when ready.
The models have recently made headlines for various reasons. Linda Evangelista spoke out about the negative effects of a fat-freezing treatment, while Naomi Campbell continues to grace the catwalk for renowned designers and sparked discussions by becoming a mother in her fifties. Cindy Crawford, on the other hand, is proud of her daughter, Kaia Gerber, who has become one of the fashion industry’s most sought-after models.
The supermodels, along with Helena Christensen and Claudia Schiffer, are credited with being the first models to transcend the fashion industry and become global celebrities. Vogue points out that their demand skyrocketed in the 90s, leading to lucrative opportunities.
The article also addresses the pre-#MeToo era in which these models worked, mentioning photographers who were later accused of sexually inappropriate behavior. However, the supermodels claim to have largely avoided such exploitation. Cindy Crawford attributes her unsophisticated background and Naomi Campbell boldly speaks out against the racism she faced within the industry.
While other models have emerged since the supermodel era, the originals have managed to stay in the spotlight and maintain their appeal to consumers. This was evident when Versace recreated their iconic supermodel moment in 2017, causing an online frenzy.
The upcoming documentary produced by the supermodels themselves is expected to capitalize on the interest in their generation, providing even more opportunities for these legendary figures.
The recreated covers for Vogue’s September issue were styled by editor-in-chief Edward Enninful, who will be stepping down from his role in March but will continue to serve as Vogue’s global creative and cultural adviser. Enninful is considered a potential successor to Anna Wintour at US Vogue, as indicated in his Editor’s Letter for the September issue.
In collaboration with Anna Wintour, Enninful emphasizes the significance of this moment by simultaneously featuring the legendary quartet on the covers of both British and American Vogues. The September issue promises to be a celebration of the supermodels’ enduring legacy and their continued impact on the fashion industry.