Germany is known for many things – its beer, its cars, its sausages, and its history. But did you know that gorgeous German supermodels are one of its biggest exports?
Okay, that might be an exaggeration, but you can’t blame us for thinking it. So many of the world’s most famous models (both male and female) are from Berlin, Munich, and all across Germany. There must be something in the water over there because we just can’t seem to get enough.
Learn more about the most famous German models right here.
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5. Tatjana Patitz
Age: 53
Debut year: 1983
One of the first major German models on the scene was Tatjana Patitz. She was first noticed by modelling agency Elite Model Management when she joined their “Look of the Year” contest in 1983 when Patitz was just 17 years old.
Her work with famous photographer Peter Lindbergh in the 1980s helped launched not just her career, but the entire supermodel era. Thanks to her versatility, Patitz appeared on various covers for Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and Elle. In 1990, she (along with the other “big five” models Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington, and Cindy Crawford) appeared in George Michael’s music video for his song “Freedom”.
Models usually have a short career, getting replaced by newer and younger women. But Tatjana proved that age is just a number and she can still walk with the best of them when she appeared on the runway earlier this year at the age of 52.
4. Claudia Schiffer
Age: 48
Debut year: 1987
Before she became a household name, Claudia Maria Schiffer wanted to be a lawyer. That all changed when a model scout discovered the then-17-year-old at a Dusseldorf nightclub.
Schiffer’s “Guess?” campaign in the early ’90s became instantly iconic. She was compared to classic Hollywood beauty Brigitte Bardot. Vogue, Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone, and Harper’s Bazaar all clamoured for her to be on their covers. She even posed for the May 1997 issue of Playboy.
In her decades-long career, Schiffer has appeared on more than a thousand covers, earning her a Guinness World Record for it. So far, no one has surpassed her yet.
3. Heidi Klum
Age: 46
Debut year: 1992
If Heidi Klum’s friend didn’t convince her to join a modelling contest in 1992, it’s possible that the world would have never known one of the hottest German models in history. Klum was crowned the winner (out of a massive 25,000 contestants) and started working as a model as a barely-out-of-highschool teen.
Her big break came when she appeared on the cover for Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit issue. Then, in 1999, Klum made history as the first German model to be invited as a Victoria’s Secret Angel, a role she would hold for the next decade.
After a successful modelling career, Klum branched out into other pursuits. While she does pose from time to time, you’re more likely to see her as a host. She’s won awards for her stint on Project Runway and currently hosts and co-produces the German variant of Top Model.
2. Gisele Bundchen
Age: 38
Debut year: 1994
While Gisele Bundchen’s nationality is Brazilian, she’s actually of German descent. In 1993, the teenager made a life-changing decision: instead of playing volleyball (like she originally wanted), she was going to attend a modelling class with her two sisters.
At just 14 years old, Elite Model Management had their eye on her. They selected her for the Elite Look of the Year contest where she took home the second prize. Two years later, the world would be introduced to Bundchen on the runways of New York Fashion Week.
Since then, Bundchen has been seen in the pages of magazines like Allure, Esquire, Marie Claire, Rolling Stone, Vogue, Vanity Fair, Forbes, and even TIME. The top-earning model and former Victoria’s Secret Angel has also worked with the likes of Versace, Givenchy, Michael Kors, and Christian Dior.
She was the face of the massively popular “Got Milk?” campaign in 2001. Bundchen also had a supporting role in Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep film The Devil Wears Prada.
1. Anna Ewers
Age: 26
Debut year: 2013
If there’s one name you need to be on the lookout for, it’s Anna Ewers. Following in the footsteps of the great German models who came before, Ewers is shaking up the fashion industry like nobody’s business.
The model had an unusual breakthrough moment. Alexander Wang found her photo on a blog, sent it to his casting director, and told her to find the girl in the picture immediately. Ewers has been his muse ever since.
The fashion model walked just short of 40 shows during her first Fashion Week, for brands like Celine, Prada, and of course, Alexander Wang. In just a few short years, Ewers has been involved in over a hundred lookbooks, covers, and campaigns.
Comparisons to Claudia Schiffer and Brigitte Bardot notwithstanding, Ewers is considered one of the top models today.
Conclusion
From the runways of Paris to their Instagram accounts, these sexy German models are at the top of their game. We can’t wait to see what the ladies on this list will be up to next. We’re sure it’ll be something incredible – after all, the whole world is watching.
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