Europe has produced some of the most successful models in fashion history, from 90s supermodels to modern runway stars. Here are five European models whose careers shaped the industry.
1. Heidi Klum (Germany)
Heidi Klum moved from Germany to New York in the early 1990s after winning a modeling contest and quickly became one of the most recognizable faces in fashion. She became a Victoria’s Secret Angel and graced countless magazine covers.
Klum built a huge TV career as host of Project Runway, which earned her an Emmy in 2013, and of Germany’s Next Top Model, which launched in 2006. She has also designed collections with brands such as Birkenstock and Jordache.
2. Claudia Schiffer (Germany)
Claudia Schiffer was discovered in a nightclub in Düsseldorf as a teenager and rose to fame in the late 1980s and 1990s as one of the original supermodels. Her Guess campaigns and long collaboration with Karl Lagerfeld at Chanel made her a household name.
Schiffer has appeared on hundreds of magazine covers and is still one of fashion’s most famous faces decades into her career.
3. Carmen Kass (Estonia)
Carmen Kass was scouted as a teenager in Estonia and became one of the top models of the late 1990s and 2000s. She walked for major fashion houses, appeared in campaigns for brands including Gucci and Versace, and was a Victoria’s Secret runway regular.
Outside fashion, Kass stood as a candidate for the European Parliament in 2004 and has played chess competitively, serving as president of the Estonian Chess Federation.
4. Karmen Pedaru (Estonia)
Karmen Pedaru, also from Estonia, rose to fame in the late 2000s. She walked for brands including Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Versace, and became especially associated with Michael Kors, appearing in many of the designer’s campaigns.
She has appeared in editorials and on covers for magazines including Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar.
5. Anne V (Russia)
Anne Vyalitsyna, known as Anne V, was born in Russia and launched her career after winning a modeling competition. She walked for brands including Chloé and appeared in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue for 10 consecutive years starting in 2005.
She later became a mentor on the second season of the TV modeling competition The Face.
Final Thoughts
From German supermodels to Estonian runway stars, these women show the range of European talent in fashion. For more, see our lists of Dutch models and Spanish models.
