Designer: Stella McCartney

Event: Spring 2012 Ad Campaign

Model: Natalia Vodianova

Photographers: Mert & Marcus

Forbes has released its annual list of “The World’s Top Earning Models,” and Gisele Bundchen ranks number one.  Again.  The supermodel made an estimated $45 million dollars last year.  She is followed by the usual suspect, Heidi Klum at $20 million, Kate Moss a cool $13.5, Adriana Lima made $8 million and Alessandra Ambrosio rounded out the top 5 at $5 million.  Check the rest of the list below. 

1. Gisele Bündchen – $45 Million
2. Heidi Klum – $20 Million
3. Kate Moss – $13.5 Million
4. Adriana Lima – $8 Million
5. Alessandra Ambrosio - $5 Million
6. Daria Werbowy – $4.5 Million
7. Lara Stone – $4.5 Million
8. Carolyn Murphy – $4.3 million
9. Natalia Vodianova – $4 million
10. Candice Swanepoel – $3 million

In Pictures: The World’s Top-Earning Models [Forbes]

Natalia Vodianova covers the Russian issue of Harper’s Bazaar for April 2011.  It is a gorgeous beauty shot with an emphasis on the smoky eye.  She wore a gold satin jacket and accessorized with a gold framed watch.  Her hair is full and textured.  This cover is reminiscent of the 1980′s, a time of glamour and excess.

Marc Jacobs scored big when he assembled models Christy Turlington, Karen Elson and Natalia Vodianova for Louis Vuitton’s Fall 2010 ad campaign.  The ladies look lovely as they groom themselves in a dressing room full of make-up mirrors with lights.  That lighting is usually a recipe for bad make-up application, but not here.  In addition to mirrors, there are plenty of Vuitton shoes and bags scattered throughout the room.  Let’s not forget that the models are perfectly dressed in the fall 2010 collection.  Steven Meisel captured the updated 1950′s vibe that Jacobs delivered in his collection.

Gisele Bundchen and Heidi Klum top Forbes’ list of the highest paid models two years in a row.  Gisele earned $25 million and Heidi earned $16 million dollars in 2009.  There are at least six current or former Victoria’s Secret models on this list.  Is that a coincidence?  It apparently pays to be an ‘Angel’.  See the other models who made the list.

Forbes’ List of Highest Paid Models - 2010:

1. Gisele Bundchen – $25 million
2. Heidi Klum – $16 million
3. Kate Moss – $9 million
4. Adriana Lima – $7.5 million
5. Doutzen Kroes – $6 million
6. Alessandra Ambrosio – $5.5 million
7. Natalia Vodianova – $5.5 million
8. Daria Werbowy – $4 million
9. Miranda Kerr – $4 million
10. Carolyn Murphy – $3.5 million

Bundchen Tops Forbes’ List of Highest Paid Models [NBC New York]

Louis Vuitton Fall 2010

It appears the increase of curvey models in magazines and on the runway may become a more dominant trend than was first realized.  A few days ago Vogue’s Editor-in-Chief, Anna Wintour, designer Michael Kors and model Natalia Vodianova were panelists at a forum regarding the overall health of models.  Of course the topic of eating disorders was a central theme.  Major news that will affect the fashion industry came from that event.  One is the promise by Ms. Wintour that Vogue will use models of various sizes on its pages.  That is big news indeed because her proactive stance on depicting positive body images in the fashion bible can have a rippling effect on the industry.  The other big news is Michael Kors’ announcement that he will no longer use models under the age 16.  He also intends to call on his peers to do the same.  Change has definitely come to this industry, and I say it’s about time.  Many young girls grow up emulating the girls they see in magazines, and seeing images of models of various body sizes will have a profound impact.  It sends a message that our society is ready to celebrate the beauty of real women.  Let’s face it, the industry benefits when girls and women feel better about themselves.  Should you doubt that last statement, remind me of the last time you went shopping while you were feeling self-conscious about your own body image.  If you can’t remember it’s because it doesn’t happen very often.  In the end, everyone benefits from a positive body image in this industry, and the industry will see it reflected in their bottom-line. 

Anna Wintour Says Vogue Does Not Photoshop Girls Thinner, and Now Aims to Show a Wider Variety of Body Types  [The Cut]

Vogue magazine’s May cover is usually reserved for the top models, and this May will be no different. No celebrities needed this month. Even more interesting is that Liya Kebede and Jourdan Dunn are on the cover and on the inside fold respectively. May marks the third consecutive month that a woman of color appears on the cover of Vogue.  Michelle Obama appeared on the cover in March, Beyonce in April, and now Liya and Jourdan in May.  The cover is pretty fantastic and all the models look beautiful: Natalia Vodianova, Raquel Zimmermann, Isabeli Fontana, Anna Jagodzinska, Lara Stone, Caroline Trentini and Natasha Poly. [The Cut via The Fashion Bomb]

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