The It-Girls Bringing Fun Back to Fashion

Trends come and go, but a few sources of style inspiration remain constant, the ’90s supermodels being one of the biggest. Just three decades ago, the likes of Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss, and Shalom Harlow made the fashion world their oyster, both on and off the runway—and subsequent generations have been following in their footsteps ever since.

But while some eras have leaned into nostalgic tributes, next-gen lookalikes, and revivals of the era’s playful minimalism, the current fashion moment is evocative of the ’90s for decidedly subtler reasons. From Alex Consani to Paloma Elsesser to Gabbriette, the current crop of models and fashion It girls are embodying the sort of unfiltered energy and nightlife-ready cool that made us fall in love with the original supers—all while carving their own paths. Ahead, we chart the enduring impact of nostalgia in fashion and celebrate the new faces bringing a fresh dose of icon energy to the industry.

The Rise of the Supermodel

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, models slowly replaced mannequins to display designs, and brands and publications often referred to them as such until the term “model” began to take over with the rise of the fashion show in the 1920s. By mid-century, big-name models became increasingly in demand for both runway and editorial gigs. Few of them are household names with a modern audience, but they had impressive careers complete with iconic photo moments, and their work paved the way for all the supermodels who were to come.

In the 1960s, we began to see the first generation of proper “supermodels.” From Twiggy to Donyale Luna to Veruschka, these women achieved frequent media placements and began receiving recognition for their signature looks and presence as much as their work. The potential of models as celebrities only grew throughout the ’70s and ’80s, as the likes of Pat Cleveland, Iman, and Christie Brinkley rose to fame, leading to the ideal climate for the ’90s supers we know today to emerge.

Getty Images / Byrdie

Naomi Campbell was the first of the ’90s supermodels to hit the spotlight, with a high-profile career that began as a teenager in the mid-’80s. Christy Turlington and Linda Evangelista soon followed, and the three became the “Trinity” until Kate Moss, Cindy Crawford, and Claudia Schiffer rounded out the “Big Six.” All were instrumental in transforming the industry climate: Runway shows became as much cultural moments as displays of designs, and modeling became a coveted job full of celebrity promise.

While the ’90s supermodels had countless unforgettable runway and editorial moments, their side projects and off-duty presence were also key in cultivating their star status. It’s impossible to forget Crawford’s colorful intros during her six years hosting MTV’s House of Style, which followed the lives of models—including many of the aforementioned icons—right as public interest skyrocketed. It was also this era when model-off-duty fashion became popular, as fans strove to emulate their favorites’ street style, from the perfect jeans and white tee to effortlessly cool accessorizing.

Getty Images / MTV / Byrdie

And we can’t forget all the ’90s party photography, which showcased the supers’ more playful sides at industry events and some of the hottest nightlife destinations. The difference between a star and a celebrity is all about cultivating a persona bigger than one’s work, and this decade marked the first time that models had decisively crossed that threshold.

The Nostalgia Supermodel Era

In recent years, a renewed interest in ’90s fashion has inspired a fresh fascination with the models who led the pack. Versace’s Spring 2018 finale went viral for reuniting five top supers—Campbell, Crawford, Schiffer, Carla Bruni, and Helena Christensen—in shimmering gold lamé. That same show featured Kaia Gerber, Crawford’s now-famous daughter, who became the model of the season for looking and walking just like her mom.

Getty Images / Byrdie

In fact, supermodel lookalikes and children of famous families have been the center of attention for much of the past decade. Gigi and Bella Hadid, Kendall Jenner, Lily-Rose Depp, Hailey Bieber, and Anna Cleveland are just a few of the so-called “nepo babies” who have become fixtures on runways and in fashion at large. Over the years, the controversial term has become a largely neutral explainer: These high-profile faces are icons in their own right and have worked to achieve their status, but it’s also true that looking like your famous parent is a plus in a world consumed by nostalgia. (Many have even reclaimed the term, such as when Bieber wore a “Nepo Baby” graphic tee while out in L.A.)

It’s no wonder that many of the most viral fashion moments from recent years revolve around these callbacks. Archival pulls are everywhere you look, memorable party photos have become sources of inspiration, and pretty much every major muse out there routinely turns to the timeless, aforementioned model-off-duty aesthetic. This never-ending love for the past has led to incredible success for those who satisfy it best, but in many ways, there’s also been room for less referential influence to emerge.

The Unfiltered Modern It Girl

@alexconsani / Instagram / Byrdie

Social media has been integral to fashion for a while: Chances are that your favorite model has a massive presence on Instagram, with millions following their work and personal life alike. But it’s been decidedly more recent—alongside TikTok—that we’ve seen colorful commentary and a playful presence return to being a key ingredient of the supermodel formula. One of the strongest examples is Alex Consani, who started posting comedic videos on the platform in 2020, several months after signing with IMG. Four years later, she became the first transgender model to walk the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show and win the Fashion Award for Model of the Year, but thanks to her existing following and countless viral soundbites, the world already knew her name.

The current dominance of self-created content has also paved the way for a generation of fashion It girls whose images balance notable style impact with unfiltered personality. Take Julia Fox: While many first knew her for Uncut Gems and/or her short-lived relationship with Kanye West, the longtime New Yorker built longevity as a fashion darling thanks to a combination of unparalleled street-style choices and bold quotes. She’s a repeat champion of Wiederhoeft bridal, but at the same time, she’s the star who sparked discussion for her unexpectedly realistic home tour TikTok and held her own in interviews with Ziwe and Alex Cooper. She graces the front row far more frequently than the runway, but she’s managed to become one of the most-anticipated fixtures of fashion week.

We also can’t forget what some online have called the “Gabbriettification” of fashion and pop culture, named after model and musician Gabbriette. Years after Charli XCX handpicked her as the lead vocalist for Nasty Cherry, the star has transitioned into an era of style influence, lifestyle content creation, and life as a woman about town. Her signature ’90s brows and edgy aesthetic have become a blueprint for many other models, made her the poster child for the “succubus chic” trend, and inspired a namesake lyric in Charli’s “360”—the video for which also included Consani, Fox, and a general who’s who of nostalgic and modern icons. Gabbriette is a star in her own right, but her aesthetic influence has transcended her to become recognizable even to those who may not know her name.

@juliafox / @charli_xcx / Instagram / Byrdie

Many modern style stars also use their platforms to bring attention to issues they care about, both those they represent and those concerning additional groups that need amplification. Consani has been open about her experiences navigating the modeling industry as a trans woman, and she’s been a consistent advocate for the rest of her community as her status has risen amid a hostile political environment. Paloma Elsesser—who won Model of the Year just before Consani and has become as beloved for the ensembles she posts to Instagram as her runway moments—often speaks out in support of size inclusivity and diversity across the fashion industry, in addition to other topics like feminism and racial equality. Lauren Chan, 2025’s Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover star, routinely speaks out about her queerness and experience as a plus-size model, uplifting those who share aspects of her identity every step of the way. For these supermodels and others like them, being outspoken has organically fit into their careers and only enhanced their status, showing promise that we’re in an era that can embrace a balance of commentary and cool.

Lives of the Party

Alongside all the creative personal style and off-the-cuff commentary, there’s been a fresh energy in nightlife in recent seasons. The aforementioned stars—alongside other supermodels and It girls—have made fashion parties more exciting than they’ve been in years. Plus, a renewed post-pandemic interest in New York has inspired both rising and established stars to frequent the city’s hot spots, leading to pap walks outside impossible-to-reserve West Village restaurants and unexpected fan interactions deep in Bushwick.

@gabbriette / @palomija / @lcchan / Instagram / Byrdie

The difference between this and long-missed eras like the ’90s and early aughts, of course? It’s all more documented than ever before. If a star wears an avant-garde ensemble or much-loved luxury handbag to dinner at 8 p.m., fashion fans will be discussing it by 9 p.m., and the world now has a ticket to many of the most exclusive events via a 4K video or a celebrity’s brief, grainy livestream.

But while the modern fashion landscape makes it easier to copy one another or cultivate a persona for engagement, that doesn’t negate the impact of the figures who have come to define the 2020s. Amid a culture that’s been largely about referencing, the moment’s brightest stars have carved their own paths, allowing them to become the ones we reference.

The Rise of the 2020s Supermodel

In differentiating themselves from the previous stars we still know and love, today’s It girls have harnessed the fashion magic that so many want. No matter how strong the tribute, no one can retroactively become a ’90s supermodel, but we can have 2020s supermodels who captivate us in their own right.

Despite outwardly maximalist fashion senses and colorful personalities, the modern class of style icons has gone back to basics: a willingness to push boundaries, a unique sense of personal style, and an embrace of authenticity both on and off duty. There’s always room for more, but look around: It’s clear that fun in fashion is far from dead.