It seems that more and more models today are achieving the coveted supermodel status. With multi-million-dollar contracts, global campaigns, and lucrative endorsements, their faces are known far beyond the fashion world. Yet long before modern model agencies professionalized modeling, there were pioneers whose influence shaped an entire industry. This raises a question that is still hotly debated today: Who was the world’s first supermodel—the model whose image not only defined an era but permanently changed the very understanding of modeling?
The term “supermodel” first appeared in 1943, but since then various models have claimed the title for themselves. Each represents a turning point in the history of fashion, marketing, and the collaboration between models and model agencies. Whether through revolutionary looks, unparalleled presence, or groundbreaking careers, these women set new standards and paved the way for generations of models that followed.
Gia Carangi is considered by many to be the first modern supermodel. Her striking dark looks broke with traditional beauty ideals of the time and left a lasting impact on modeling. She was discovered in the late 1970s and signed by a leading model agency. Within a short period, Gia became one of the most in-demand models, working with top photographers and dominating major fashion magazines. Her rapid rise showed the power a single model can wield when model agencies, media, and fashion houses work together. Tragically, her career ended far too early, but her influence on modeling remains undisputed.
Jean Shrimpton, on the other hand, embodied the spirit of the Swinging Sixties. With wide eyes, an iconic pout, and a look that shattered conventions, she was celebrated as “The Face” of her time. She was one of the highest-paid models in the world and proved that a model could be far more than just a runway presence. Many consider her the first true supermodel, as she uniquely connected fashion, pop culture, and media. Even later icons of modeling cited Jean Shrimpton as a key influence.
Janice Dickinson brought her own perspective to the debate. She not only claimed to be one of the first supermodels but even asserted that she coined the term herself. Regardless, her career was extraordinary. With dozens of Vogue covers, campaigns for luxury brands, and collaborations with the biggest names in the industry, she demonstrated how powerful a model can become through strategic positioning with model agencies. Janice embodied a new confidence in modeling that continues to resonate today.
Lisa Fonssagrives is regarded by many fashion historians as the first supermodel in the classical sense. In the 1940s and 1950s, she was the highest-paid model of her era and worked with nearly every major photographer. Although the term “supermodel” was rarely used during her lifetime, her career perfectly matched what we associate with it today: international presence, versatility, and a distinctive style that shaped fashion imagery for decades. For many, she represents the bridge between early modeling and the modern world of model agencies.
Dorian Leigh also deserves a place on this list. She was a true supermodel before the word even existed. With countless magazine covers and a career guided by leading model agencies, she set new standards for professionalism and longevity in modeling. Her success was one of the first demonstrations that models themselves could become brands—a concept that is now central to the work of modern model agencies.
Whether Gia Carangi, Jean Shrimpton, Janice Dickinson, Lisa Fonssagrives, or Dorian Leigh—each of these women revolutionized modeling in her own way. Who truly was the world’s first supermodel remains a matter of opinion. What is certain, however, is that without these iconic models and the early structures of model agencies, today’s global modeling industry would not exist in its current form.
