Models Turned Moguls
These ladies aren't just pretty faces - they run successful businesses. Meet the supermodels that have gone from catwalk to boardroom.
PA PhotosHeidi Klum
Our favourite German export, Heidi Klum, is best known for being one of the world’s most famous supermodels, but the lady is also one hell of a businesswoman. During a long and successful modelling career, Heidi ventured out into other territories. She’s now the host and producer of Germany’s Next Top Model and Project Runway, receiving four Emmy nominations for her work on the latter. She has designed trainers, jewellery, clothes, two maternity lines and has written two books. Not only that, but she has her own line of perfumes, deodorants and shower gels... is there anything this model cannot do?
Rex FeaturesTyra Banks
Former model Tyra Banks has said in the past that her role model is Oprah Winfrey, and she seems to be following in her idol’s footsteps at a rapid speed. Tyra has created hit US TV show America’s Next Top Model (which she also hosts), and The Tyra Banks Show, which won her an Emmy. She has also co-created a series called True Beauty, alongside Ashton Kutcher, written three books and started her own production company, Bankable Productions. We wonder what Ms Banks will set her sights on next?
WENNGisele Bündchen
Brazilian-born Gisele Bündchen is well known for strutting her stuff on the runways of the infamous Victoria’s Secret fashion show, but the lady has far more tricks up her sleeve than just her looks. Gisele designed her own line of flip-flops and sandals called Ipanema, which now sell more than Havaianas. She also owns a hotel in Brazil (who knew!) called Palladium Executive. To date, she is the 16th richest woman in the entertainment world. Definitely not just a pretty face then!
PA PhotosKate Moss
Britain’s own Kate Moss has conquered both the model and entrepreneurial world, coming second only to Gisele Bündchen in Forbes’ top-earning models list. After fronting numerous fashion brands, Kate designed her first collection for Topshop in 2007. Three years and 14 collections later, the style icon launched her final designs in late 2010, but she’s also created handbags and released four fragrances, the latest being Vintage Muse.
Rex FeaturesIman
After appearing on the cover of Vogue in 1976, Somali-born Iman swiftly established herself as a supermodel, becoming a muse for some of fashion’s biggest names, including Gianni Versace and Yves Saint Laurent. Iman went on to launch her cosmetics company in 1994, aimed primarily at ethnic women. As of 2010, Iman Cosmetics makes over $25 million a year. But, not only that, the model has also designed the clothing line, Global Chic, for America’s Home Shopping Network.
PA PhotosLiz Hurley
Liz Hurley sure has come a long way since wearing that safety pin dress on the red carpet. In 2005, Liz launched her own swimwear line, Elizabeth Hurley Beach. She also designed a separate beachwear collection for MANGO, three years later, and presented the first season of UK show Project Catwalk, modelled on Heidi Klum’s Project Runway. Phew!
PA PhotosCindy Crawford
During the 1980s and 90s, Cindy Crawford was heralded as one of the world’s most popular models. She capitalised on this success and released the first of three exercise videos (remember those?) in 1992. More recently, she has hosted House of Style on MTV for six years, and, rather unusually, launched her own furniture line, Cindy Crawford Home Collection. Separate furniture and home goods lines followed.
PA PhotosElle Macpherson
Elle ‘The Body’ Macpherson started modelling in the early 1980s, but turned her focus to business in the mid-90s. She left her modelling agency, Ford Models, to create her own, Elle Macpherson Inc. She filmed a series of workout videos and launched Elle Macpherson Intimates, which went on to be the most successful lingerie line in her native Australia and Britain. Elle has created her own line of beauty products, and, in 2010, took over from fellow model Lisa Snowdon hosting Britain’s Next Top Model.
Rex FeaturesMilla Jovovich
Milla Jovovich has established her name as a model as well as an actress, with parts in various action and science fiction-themed films. Because of this, Milla created her own production company, Creature Entertainment. In 2003, she then launched a fashion collection alongside fellow model Carmen Hawk, called Jovovich-Hawk; the line lasted four years and received critical acclaim.
PA PhotosJanice Dickinson
Janice Dickinson is the self-proclaimed world’s first supermodel. After her modelling heyday in the 1970s and 80s, Janice appeared on TV screens everywhere in the Noughties. Although she has worked as a fashion photographer, launched her own jewellery line and written three books, Janice is most famous for her TV work. Janice was a judge during the first four seasons of America’s Next Top Model. She then went on to star in her own reality TV show, The Janice Dickinson Modelling Agency, and has appeared in various other hits, including the US and UK versions of I’m A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here. She is currently featured on US TV show, Celebrity Rehab.
Rex FeaturesNaomi Campbell
Undoubtedly one of the world’s most famous models, Naomi Campbell was one of the ‘Big Six’ during the 1990s. Her first venture outside the world of modelling came in 1994, when she wrote the novel Swan. Then, in the late 90s, Naomi created her company Design House of Naomi Campbell, under which she has released seven fragrances to date.
PA PhotosChristy Turlington
Christy Turlington represented Calvin Klein for 20 years, but she has also created her own ayurvedic skincare brand, three clothing collections and written a book about yoga, entitled Living Yoga: Creating A Life Practice. Christy created and featured in No Woman No Cry, a documentary on the troubles of childbirth in Third World countries, for which she received a VH1 Do Something Style Awards nomination.
Rex FeaturesChristie Brinkley
Christie Brinkley is one of the most successful model moguls, with estimated earnings of $80 million. She became a household name after being on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue three times in a row, and bagging a 20-year contract with CoverGirl. She began her own TV series in 1992, wrote and illustrated a New York Times best-selling book about health and beauty, and has designed clothing, prescription glasses and sunglasses. Christie has also released a fragrance, a jewellery line, and owns various real estate properties in the Hamptons. Busy girl.
PA PhotosHelena Christensen
Danish model and Victoria’s Secret regular Helena Christensen was famously pictured near-naked on a 40-foot billboard on Times Square, but she soon ventured into a more business-heavy direction. After working as Creative Director for Nylon magazine, Helena opened a boutique in New York, called Butik, and launched her own clothing range called Christensen & Sigersen. She has also had great success as a photographer and appeared in four exhibitions since 2006.
PA PhotosKimora Lee Simmons
Although she modelled for Karl Lagerfeld at the age of 13, Kimora Lee Simmons is best known for her work as a designer. When the brand Baby Phat was first launched by her then-husband and hip hop mogul Russell Simmons, Kimora became Creative Director. After the couple separated in 2007, Kimora was promoted to President, and simultaneously launched her first couture line. She has also written a self-help book (Fabulosity: What It Is And How To Get It), designed her own Barbie doll (cool) and created four perfumes.
PA PhotosMarissa Miller
Famous for her Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue features, Marissa Miller is yet another Victoria’s Secret Angel. She took her professional relationship further with both companies, working for Sports Illustrated and Victoria’s Secret on a business level from 2002 onwards. Her first step outside the modelling world was acting as a judge on American reality TV series Manhunt, as well as designing a shoe collection and paddle-board line - now that’s a new one!
Rex FeaturesErin Wasson
Erin Wasson is known for gracing countless magazine covers, including German, French, Australian and Spanish Vogue. But she’s also been the international spokesperson and ‘fave’ of Maybelline since 2002. In addition to that, she’s worked as a stylist for Alexander Wang, designed her own jewellery, and launched women’s wear collection, Erin Wasson x RVCA.
