23 Interesting Modeling Facts

By Karin Lehnardt, Senior Writer

Published October 4, 2025

In the 14th century, clothes were displayed using fashion dolls. Later, the clothes were made into human size. Known as "Pandora dolls, the miniature fashion displays fell out of style in the late 18th century when fashion magazines became more widespread._[12]
Napoleon I banned fashion dolls because he was nervous they could be used to send secret messages._[2]
In the 1850s, Charles Frederick Worth was the first to use living human models to present his collections._[2]
The Alexander Doll Company released the first American fashion doll named Cissy in 1955._[2]

Marie Vernet Worth was married to a fashion designer and is thought to be the first ever fashion model

Most historians consider Marie Vernet Worth to be the first professional fashion model. She was married to fashion designer Charles Worth, who asked her to model his clothes in 1892._[7]
During the early 20th century, American society did not view modeling as a respected occupation, until Jean Patou selected only white, American women to model his designs. Suddenly, modeling became a status symbol._[7]
During WW II, magazines featured cheerful and more ordinary-looking models to lighten the mood of the country._[2]
Lisa Fonssagrives is thought to be the first ever supermodel. She appeared in several high fashion magazines from the 1930s-1950s. Janice Dickerson also makes a claim as the first supermodel._[7]
During the 1970s, supermodels grew in status and in popularity. Famous supermodels include Twiggy, Cheryl Tiegs, Elle Macpherson, Cindy Crawford, Kate Moss, and Naomi Campbell._[7]
In an interview with Time Magazine, Blake Lively admits that 99% of celebrities are photoshopped._[3]

I always say, even I don’t wake up looking like Cindy Crawford.

- Cindy Crawford

Marcus Schenkenberg is considered to be the first ever male supermodel and the highest paid._[7]
Carmen Dell 'Orefice is the world's oldest working model. Active since 1946, her daily motto is to enjoy herself, at no-one else's expense._[4]
Supermodel Twiggy, who at 5 feet 6 inches and a 32" bust with a boy's haircut helped change modeling ideals._[1]
Tyra Banks was the first African American woman on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue._[6]
In 1974, Beverly Johnson became the first African-American model to be featured on the cover of American Vogue, which reshaped American beauty standards._[2]

Beverly Johnson's appearance on the cover changed the beauty ideal in U.S. fashion

Models in New York are usually only paid around $48,000 a year and are sometimes only paid in clothes. Most are in debt._[9]
In South Korea, models and celebrities are sometimes required to have double eyelid surgery to make their eyes more Western looking._[10]
After Jeremy Meek's mugshot went viral in 2014, he was offered a contract as a model. When his prison time of two years was up, he made his runway debut at New York Fashion Week._[1]
A former Victoria's Secret model said she was repeatedly told to do cocaine and "have lots of sex" to lose weight. She went on to develop PTSD, anorexia, orthorexia, anxiety, and depression._[5]

Freelance models can spend 4 to 8 hours a day in a photo shoot

American Apparel CEO was forced to step down after accusations of sexual harassment. His defense is that everyone is doing it._[2]
High fashion models start their career at a very young age, usually around 10 or 11. Models who start at 21 years old are often told they are too old to start modeling._[1]
Social media is vital to a model's success. Most companies will not even consider a model unless they have at least 10,000 followers._[8]
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the medium salary for models is about $22,900, and many models don't even make that. Some models get paid with clothes, and some models don't get paid at all._[11]