Un Mardi en Août: The Hit Girls of 2007

US Vogue May 2007 Cover

While doing pre-production for a photo shoot, I was having a discussion about the meaning of a supermodel. In reality, the definition of the word supermodel changes as the times change. Back in the late 80s and through a majority of the 90s, the supermodels (more appropriately known as the "supers") of the world were women who's personality superseded everything else (see Naomi Campbell, Claudia Schiffer, etc.). In the late 70s and through the 80s, the supermodels were the wild women who partied like no tomorrow but still worked their butts off (see Jerry Hall, Janice Dickinson, etc.). Back in 2007, the editors of US Vogue didn't go as far as name 10 women supermodels (as they did for the previous crop of women before them in the early 90s). They simply presented fashion's next superstars. The supermodel part was up to them.

At that moment, each girl was enjoying her own success. Several of them each had a "moment," a time when the fashion world took notice, and several others were already staples in the industry.

For me, these ten girls are my "supers." I can relate to most of them, as they are my age. We probably have read the same classic novels and have similar interests. For me, these women make the industry a better place, and I smile a huge smile every time one appears on the page or on front stage.

Hilary Rhoda, 22, United States

Sasha Pivovarova, 24, Russia

Agyness Deyn, 23, England

Coco Rocha, 20, Canada

Doutzen Kroes, 24, the Netherlands

Chanel Iman, 18, United States

Lily Donaldson, 22, England

Raquel Zimmermann, 26, Brazil

Caroline Trentini, 21, Brazil

Jessica Stam, 23, Canada

MOMENT GIRLS

Half of the ten girls had fashion moments and ever since then, they've been on the non-stop rise.

Agyness' moment occurred when Steven Meisel shot her for this November 2006 cover of Italian Vogue. Instantly, the world saw this androgynous 5'11" girl on a new level. She's been everywhere ever since.

As an oddity, Chanel's moment occured when this issue (May 2007) hit the news stands in late April. Her career was just picking up. This feature pushed in into the stratosphere.

You can watch Coco's moment here, as she opened and closed the Jean Paul Gaultier Fall/Winter 2007 show.

Hilary's shine (no pun intended) occurred as she walked for Nicholas Ghesquiere for his Spring 2006 collection for Balenciaga.

Sasha's blank stare, which became known as the "Prada Stare," served as her moment, as Steven Meisel lensed her for this December 2005 cover of Italian Vogue.

STAPLE GIRLS

The other half were already staples in the industry, walking for designers, racking up campaigns, and being featured in editorials alike.