The fashion model has long been both a canvas and a cultural symbol, shaping and reflecting beauty ideals, social shifts, and industry evolution. The profession began in 1850s Paris when designer Charles Frederick Worth employed his wife, Marie Vernet, as a living mannequin to showcase his designs, ushering in the modern fashion house and catwalk.
In the early 20th century, models were mostly anonymous, featured in illustrations and photographs for department store catalogues. By the 1940s and ’50s, names like Dorian Leigh and Suzy Parker brought recognition and glamour, laying the groundwork for the model as celebrity. The 1960s exploded with iconic faces like Twiggy and Veruschka, who redefined the model as muse and cultural force.
The 1990s introduced the era of the supermodel: Naomi, Cindy, Christy, Claudia, and Linda, who transcended fashion to become global icons, wielding influence beyond the runway. The new millennium expanded that influence, blending fashion with social media, activism, and personal branding. Models today are as likely to be founders, creators, and change makers as they are editorial stars.
Diversity, once overlooked, is now a defining value, with models of varied backgrounds, identities, and body types reshaping the standard of beauty. From couture runways to digital platforms, the role of the model continues to evolve. Ever a mirror, muse, marker of the moment, and penetrator of the human psyche.