Second, . The summer of 2020 forced a reckoning. Suddenly, the "heroin chic" revival was dead on arrival. In its place rose Paloma Elsesser , a plus-size muse for Fenty and Glossier, proving that curves could command couture. Jill Kortleve walked for Chanel and Schiaparelli, shattering the sample-size ceiling. And Aaron Phillip became the first Black male model to close a major luxury campaign in nearly a decade. The supermodel became a banner for representation, not just a hanger for clothes.
Yet, two seismic shifts occurred during this period that saved the profession. supermodels from 7 17 updated
As we move through 2025 and 2026, a "new guard" has emerged, prioritizing identity and inclusivity over traditional standards. Second,