'80s supermodels then and now

Ling Hui, Rosalyn Solomon
Published Jul 16, 2014  •  Last updated Jul 17, 2014  •  < 1 minute read
  1. Big hair, blue jeans and some pretty sexy Sports Illustrated bikinis. The 80s saw the rise of the supermodel with names like Christie Brinkley not only landing almost every magazine cover in the U.S., but lucrative business contracts too, it's also the time when Australian beauty Elle Macpherson was given the name "The Body" which she turned into a business empire. So, the '90s may have had Christy, Naomi, Cindy and Claudia, but these 10 ladies helped pave the catwalk.Check out what these '80s supermodels are up to now.
  2. Christie BrinkleyThen: Brinkley was discovered as a model in the '70s, but there wasn't a beauty ad or magazine cover without her throughout the '80s and beyond. She has appeared on more than 500 magazine covers and holds the title of the longest running cosmetics contract after working with Cover Girl for 25 years. She's appeared in several movies, such as National Lampoon's Vacation and music videos. (Sports Illustrated/John G. Zimmerman)
    Christie BrinkleyThen: Brinkley was discovered as a model in the '70s, but there wasn't a beauty ad or magazine cover without her throughout the '80s and beyond. She has appeared on more than 500 magazine covers and holds the title of the longest running cosmetics contract after working with Cover Girl for 25 years. She's appeared in several movies, such as National Lampoon's Vacation and music videos. (Sports Illustrated/John G. Zimmerman)Photo by John G. Zimmerman
  3. Now: Brinkley was named one of the World's 20 Richest models in 2012 by the Daily Mail. She's appeared on Dancing With the Stars, Parks and Recreation and has been an outspoken supporter of several charities, including PETA. (REUTERS/Carlo Allegri)
    Now: Brinkley was named one of the World's 20 Richest models in 2012 by the Daily Mail. She's appeared on Dancing With the Stars, Parks and Recreation and has been an outspoken supporter of several charities, including PETA. (REUTERS/Carlo Allegri)Photo by REUTERS
  4. Carol AltThen: What started off as a summer job for the college fund, turned into a career that made her millions. Alt made waves after appearing on cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in 1982, and quickly became a fashion favourite. Appearing in hundreds of magazine covers in the '80s, she earned the nickname "The Face" and was referred to as the model that started the supermodel trend. (Cover Girl)
    Carol AltThen: What started off as a summer job for the college fund, turned into a career that made her millions. Alt made waves after appearing on cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in 1982, and quickly became a fashion favourite. Appearing in hundreds of magazine covers in the '80s, she earned the nickname "The Face" and was referred to as the model that started the supermodel trend. (Cover Girl)
  5. Now: Having once dabbled in film and television, Alt, "a self-professed raw food enthusiast" has penned books on healthy eating and hosts the TV show, A Healthy You & Carol Alt, on Fox. (Dan Jackman/WENN.com)
    Now: Having once dabbled in film and television, Alt, "a self-professed raw food enthusiast" has penned books on healthy eating and hosts the TV show, A Healthy You & Carol Alt, on Fox. (Dan Jackman/WENN.com)Photo by Dan Jackman/WENN.com
  6. Janice DickinsonThen: Dickinson says she coined the term supermodel in the early 80s after her manager told her she was working too much, telling her she can't be Superman, to which she says she replied , "I am not Superman, I am a supermodel." (Thanks E! Network True Hollywood Story).Dickinson was first rejected by several modelling agencies because of her dark eyes and hair. She took her looks and talents to Europe before returning to the U.S. to cover Vogue, Cosmopolitan and more. She also modelled for Versace, Valentino, Oscar de la Renta and more. (Vogue)
    Janice DickinsonThen: Dickinson says she coined the term supermodel in the early 80s after her manager told her she was working too much, telling her she can't be Superman, to which she says she replied , "I am not Superman, I am a supermodel." (Thanks E! Network True Hollywood Story).Dickinson was first rejected by several modelling agencies because of her dark eyes and hair. She took her looks and talents to Europe before returning to the U.S. to cover Vogue, Cosmopolitan and more. She also modelled for Versace, Valentino, Oscar de la Renta and more. (Vogue)
  7. Now: Dickinson started her own modelling agency in 2005, the basis for her reality TV show, The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency. She was a judge on America's Next Top Model and is the author of three books. Dickinson has revealed a lot to the world (she once appeared in Playboy) but the one thing we still don't know? Her exact age. (FayesVision/WENN.com)
    Now: Dickinson started her own modelling agency in 2005, the basis for her reality TV show, The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency. She was a judge on America's Next Top Model and is the author of three books. Dickinson has revealed a lot to the world (she once appeared in Playboy) but the one thing we still don't know? Her exact age. (FayesVision/WENN.com)Photo by FayesVision/WENN.com
  8. Elle MacphersonThen: Nicknamed The Body by Time Magazine in 1989, the Australian stunner covered the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue five times. She appeared in every issue of Elle magazine for six years, on top of Vogue, GQ, Harper's Bazaar, etc. In 1994 she posed nude in Playboy. (Sports Illustrated/Marc Hispard)
    Elle MacphersonThen: Nicknamed The Body by Time Magazine in 1989, the Australian stunner covered the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue five times. She appeared in every issue of Elle magazine for six years, on top of Vogue, GQ, Harper's Bazaar, etc. In 1994 she posed nude in Playboy. (Sports Illustrated/Marc Hispard)Photo by Marc Hispard
  9. Now: Putting her nickname to good use, MacPherson started her own modelling agency, created a line of workout videos, lingerie and produced the show Fashion Star. Macpherson has backed several charities and served as a UNICEF ambassador. (Daniel Deme/WENN.com)
    Now: Putting her nickname to good use, MacPherson started her own modelling agency, created a line of workout videos, lingerie and produced the show Fashion Star. Macpherson has backed several charities and served as a UNICEF ambassador. (Daniel Deme/WENN.com)Photo by Daniel Deme/WENN.com
  10. ImanThen: Iman was discovered while studying at university in Egypt. She moved to the U.S. in the late '70s to pursue modelling, and covers with Vogue ensued. She's walked the runway for Versace, Yves St Laurent and Donna Karan just to name a few. In 1994, she started her own cosmetics company with a focus on creating makeup for diverse skintones. (Yves Saint Laurent)
    ImanThen: Iman was discovered while studying at university in Egypt. She moved to the U.S. in the late '70s to pursue modelling, and covers with Vogue ensued. She's walked the runway for Versace, Yves St Laurent and Donna Karan just to name a few. In 1994, she started her own cosmetics company with a focus on creating makeup for diverse skintones. (Yves Saint Laurent)
  11. Now: Iman has been married to singer David Bowie since 1992, her cosmetics business was said to rake in $25M a year as of 2010. Iman hosted the show Project Runway Canada and is an ambassador for the charity Save the Children. (Ivan Nikolov/WENN.com)
    Now: Iman has been married to singer David Bowie since 1992, her cosmetics business was said to rake in $25M a year as of 2010. Iman hosted the show Project Runway Canada and is an ambassador for the charity Save the Children. (Ivan Nikolov/WENN.com)Photo by Ivan Nikolov/WENN.com
  12. Kathy IrelandThen: Ireland earned her supermodel status after appearing in Sport Illustrated's Swimsuit Issue for 13 consecutive years, gracing the cover three times. (Sports Illustrated)
    Kathy IrelandThen: Ireland earned her supermodel status after appearing in Sport Illustrated's Swimsuit Issue for 13 consecutive years, gracing the cover three times. (Sports Illustrated)
  13. Now: One of the most successful "model-preneneurs", Ireland is the founder of a brand marketing firm based on several fashion, fitness and jewelry ventures, and travels across the U.S. as a motivation speaker. She has also written three self-help and three children's books. (Judy Eddy/WENN.com)
    Now: One of the most successful "model-preneneurs", Ireland is the founder of a brand marketing firm based on several fashion, fitness and jewelry ventures, and travels across the U.S. as a motivation speaker. She has also written three self-help and three children's books. (Judy Eddy/WENN.com)Photo by Judy Eddy/WENN.com
  14. Kim AlexisThen: Known for gracing hundred's of magazine covers, Alexis became the quintessential covergirl when she became the face of Revlon premium Ultima II line in 1983, making her one of the most recognizable models in the North America. (Maybelline)
    Kim AlexisThen: Known for gracing hundred's of magazine covers, Alexis became the quintessential covergirl when she became the face of Revlon premium Ultima II line in 1983, making her one of the most recognizable models in the North America. (Maybelline)
  15. Now: She narrates a Christian CD/DVD set called "Psalms & Songs" and lives in Florida with former N.Y. Ranger Ron Duguay and their five kids. (HRC/WENN.com)
    Now: She narrates a Christian CD/DVD set called "Psalms & Songs" and lives in Florida with former N.Y. Ranger Ron Duguay and their five kids. (HRC/WENN.com)Photo by Mandatory Credit: HRC/WENN.com
  16. Brooke ShieldsThen: Though she really got her start as an actress in the 1978 film Pretty Baby, Shields' modelling career blew up when she was only 14 and made the cover of Vogue. The youngest model to ever don the cover, she went on to appear in a series of provocative Calvin Klein jeans ads. With her film and modelling career rocketing, Shields left the spotlight behind to attend Princeton University. (Calvin Klein)
    Brooke ShieldsThen: Though she really got her start as an actress in the 1978 film Pretty Baby, Shields' modelling career blew up when she was only 14 and made the cover of Vogue. The youngest model to ever don the cover, she went on to appear in a series of provocative Calvin Klein jeans ads. With her film and modelling career rocketing, Shields left the spotlight behind to attend Princeton University. (Calvin Klein)
  17. Now: Shields has been very open about her life and experiences (she wrote an autobiography in the late '80s), and in 2005 stirred controversy again after opening up about postpartum depression and feuding with Tom Cruise. She starred in the TV show Lipstick Jungle before it was cancelled in 2009 - oh, and you may see her in those less-than-awesome La-Z-Boy commercials. Joseph Marzullo/WENN.com
    Now: Shields has been very open about her life and experiences (she wrote an autobiography in the late '80s), and in 2005 stirred controversy again after opening up about postpartum depression and feuding with Tom Cruise. She starred in the TV show Lipstick Jungle before it was cancelled in 2009 - oh, and you may see her in those less-than-awesome La-Z-Boy commercials. Joseph Marzullo/WENN.comPhoto by Joseph Marzullo/WENN.com
  18. Paulina PorizkovaThen: Porizkova's career took off in 1984 after she appeared on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue at just 18. She went on to grace the covers of several other major U.S. magazines, including Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Harper's Bazaar, Elle, Vogue, and Playboy. Her $6-million contract with Estee Lauder in 1988 was unheard of at that time. (Jones New York)
    Paulina PorizkovaThen: Porizkova's career took off in 1984 after she appeared on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue at just 18. She went on to grace the covers of several other major U.S. magazines, including Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Harper's Bazaar, Elle, Vogue, and Playboy. Her $6-million contract with Estee Lauder in 1988 was unheard of at that time. (Jones New York)
  19. Now: Never quite satisfied with her modelling career, Porizkova branched out as a writer, publishing two books and once blogged for The Huffington Post. She also appeared as a contestant on Dancing with the Stars in 2007 and as judge on America's Top Model in 2010. She's been married to Ric Ocasek, lead singer for the band The Cars, since 1989 and they have two children. (Joel Ginsburg/WENN.com)
    Now: Never quite satisfied with her modelling career, Porizkova branched out as a writer, publishing two books and once blogged for The Huffington Post. She also appeared as a contestant on Dancing with the Stars in 2007 and as judge on America's Top Model in 2010. She's been married to Ric Ocasek, lead singer for the band The Cars, since 1989 and they have two children. (Joel Ginsburg/WENN.com)Photo by Joel Ginsburg/WENN.com
  20. Rachel HunterThen: The statuesque New Zealand native shot to fame after appearing in Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit Issue in 1989, and appeared in subsequent issues of the magazine in the '90s, including the 1994 "Dream Team" cover with Kathy Ireland and Elle Macpherson.
    Rachel HunterThen: The statuesque New Zealand native shot to fame after appearing in Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit Issue in 1989, and appeared in subsequent issues of the magazine in the '90s, including the 1994 "Dream Team" cover with Kathy Ireland and Elle Macpherson.
  21. Now: After several stints on reality TV shows like Dancing with the Stars, Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Circus, Hunter currently appears as a judge on New Zealand's Got Talent. In the U.S., she's best known for playing the sultry, bikini-clad soccer-mom in the video for the Fountain's of Wayne song Stacy's Mom. Aside from her TV work, she's an ambassador to the Born Free Foundation and has her own swimwear line, Lola by Rachel Hunter. (Patrick Hoffmann/WENN.com)
    Now: After several stints on reality TV shows like Dancing with the Stars, Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Circus, Hunter currently appears as a judge on New Zealand's Got Talent. In the U.S., she's best known for playing the sultry, bikini-clad soccer-mom in the video for the Fountain's of Wayne song Stacy's Mom. Aside from her TV work, she's an ambassador to the Born Free Foundation and has her own swimwear line, Lola by Rachel Hunter. (Patrick Hoffmann/WENN.com)Photo by Patrick Hoffmann/WENN.com

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Big hair, blue jeans and some pretty sexy Sports Illustrated bikinis.

The 80s saw the rise of the supermodel with names like Christie Brinkley not only landing almost every magazine cover in the U.S., but lucrative business contracts too, it’s also the time when Australian beauty Elle Macpherson was given the name “The Body” which she turned into a business empire.

So, the '90s may have had Christy, Naomi, Cindy and Claudia, but these 10 ladies helped pave the catwalk.

Check out what these ‘80s supermodels are up to now, plus, a little Brooke Shields hair-flip.

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