Magazine

How 15 Legendary Supermodels Do Fall’s Best Denim

Christy Turlington. Cindy Crawford. Joan Smalls. These women, among many others in their field, are known masters of the model gaze, connoisseurs of striking a pose. While it comes together effortlessly on the page, it’s easy to forget that the shot is the product of a much longer practice—years, in fact, of practice. Here, 15 of the world’s most legendary supermodels try on the season’s best denim and share stories of their very first cover shoots—the nerves, the anxiety, the wild lengths to which they went for a good picture. Let the record show that nailing a cover requires more than just good genes (or even good jeans). It’s about building confidence.
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    Photographed by Annie Leibovitz, Vogue, September 2017
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    Cindy Crawford wears an Ann Mashburn shirt, $175; Ann Mashburn, Atlanta, GA. A.P.C. jeans, $210; A.P.C., NYC. Alexander Wang shoes. Christy Turlington Burns wears a Zadig & Voltaire tank top, $58; select Bloomingdale’s stores. Rag & Bone jumpsuit, $450; select Rag & Bone stores. Fashion Editor: Tonne Goodman.

  • supermodels denim vogue september 2017
    Photographed by Annie Leibovitz, Vogue, September 2017
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    “I’m so shy that I used to not speak all day long—I’d just stand very calmly in the middle of the storm with everything happening around me.” —Claudia Schiffer.From left: Elaine Irwin wears a Hanro turtleneck, $210; shophanrousa.com. Dries Van Noten pants, $950; Barneys New York, NYC. Schiffer wears a Dries Van Noten sleeveless top ($425), turtleneck ($335), and jeans ($335). Sleeveless top and turtleneck at Bergdorf Goodman, NYC. Jeans at Barneys New York, NYC. Tatjana Patitz wears a Sacai x Levi’s jacket; Dover Street Market, NYC. A.P.C. jeans, $210; A.P.C., NYC.

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    Photographed by Annie Leibovitz, Vogue, September 2017
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    “When the photographer says, ‘OK, we’re shooting the cover now,’ it’s kind of like give it all you’ve got . . . make sure you make eye contact . . . make sure it’s good!” —Joan Smalls.Smalls wears a Linder dress, $1,525; linder.nyc.

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    Photographed by Annie Leibovitz, Vogue, September 2017
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    “Photographers and editors learned not to tell me if we were trying for a cover—I’d get nervous and anxious and start tensing up.” —Carolyn Murphy.Amber Valletta (left) wears an A.P.C. jacket, $270; A.P.C., NYC. Vince tank top, $65; vince.com. Acne Studios Blå Konst shorts, $190; Acne Studios, NYC. Dries Van Noten shoes. Murphy (right) wears Dior overalls ($1,750), blouse ($1,450), and shoes; select Dior boutiques.

Topics125th AnniversaryKendall JennerAmber VallettaGigi HadidImaan Hammam