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Claudia Schiffer is known as the Brigitte Bardot of the 90s - from her Guess ads to global supermodel, this blonde bombshell has graced the cover of over 1000 magazines.
Claudia Schiffer, born on August 25, 1970, in Rheinberg, Germany, is a renowned model and actress who rose to prominence in the 1990s as one of the world's most successful supermodels. Her journey from a small-town girl to an international fashion icon is a testament to her talent, versatility, and enduring appeal.
Claudia Maria Schiffer was born to Heinz Schiffer, a lawyer, and Gudrun, a housewife. Growing up in the small town of Rheinberg, she initially aspired to pursue a career in law, following in her father's footsteps. However, her life took a dramatic turn at the age of 17 when she was discovered in a Düsseldorf nightclub by Michel Levaton, the founder and CEO of Metropolitan Models. This serendipitous encounter led her to Paris, where she embarked on a modeling career that would soon captivate the fashion world. In her book, she explains that in the early days of her career she figured there had been some mistake and they accidentally picked the wrong girl to send to Paris - she was in such disbelief that she could be a model.
Rise to Supermodel Status
Schiffer's modeling career took off with her appearance in a Guess? campaign in 1989, which significantly boosted both the brand's and her own profile. The decision to cast her in Guess ads turned out to be a pivotal moment for both Schiffer and the brand. The first Guess campaign she appeared in was launched in 1989, and it featured a series of black-and-white photos with a vintage, glamorous aesthetic. The campaign, shot by renowned photographer Ellen von Unwerth, helped propel Schiffer into supermodel status and became iconic for its sultry, timeless imagery.
Schiffer's partnership with Guess was incredibly successful and long-lasting, with her appearing in many subsequent campaigns for the brand. The campaigns played a significant role in establishing Guess as a major fashion brand during the late '80s and '90s, and Schiffer's association with them became one of her most notable career milestones.
Her striking resemblance to Brigitte Bardot in her early years further enhanced her appeal. She became known for these campaigns and quickly curried favor with the major fashion houses. In 1990, she became the face of Chanel, walking in Karl Lagerfeld's fashion show, marking a pivotal moment in her career. Throughout the 1990s, Schiffer graced the covers of numerous prestigious magazines, including Elle, Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, and Time, amassing over 1,000 magazine covers—a record for a model.
Cindy Crawford writes of Claudia, “Who doesn’t remember those Guess Jeans images of Claudia as Brigitte Bardot?! I was already established as a model when the blonde bombshell burst on the scene. She was such a force in front of the camera, there were times I wondered if she'd ever leave any work for the rest of us! Instead, Claudia’s glamazonian beauty allowed her to fit in perfectly with the existing ‘supers’ - me, Christy, Linda, Naomi - and soon we were working together on shows and shoots and even as the faces of Revlon. Her cool German looks were the perfect complement to my darker all-American girl thing!”
Endorsements and Ventures
Beyond magazine covers, Schiffer's presence was ubiquitous in advertising campaigns for luxury brands such as Chanel, Versace, Giorgio Armani, and Prada. Her collaborations extended to high street retailers like Mango and Accessorize. In 1997, she signed an exclusive worldwide contract with L'Oréal, becoming one of their longest-standing ambassadors. Schiffer also ventured into acting, with notable appearances in films like "Richie Rich" (1994) and "Love Actually" (2003), and made cameo appearances in music videos, including Bon Jovi's "Say It Isn't So" (2000).
Philanthropy and Personal Life
Schiffer has been actively involved in charitable endeavors, notably with UNICEF, where she serves as a UK Goodwill Ambassador. She has also supported the "Make Poverty History" campaign. In her personal life, Schiffer was engaged to magician David Copperfield from 1994 to 1999. She wore custom Valentino to wed film director Matthew Vaughn in 2002, and the couple has three children. They reside in a Tudor manor house, Coldham Hall, in Suffolk, England.
Recent Activities
In 2023, Schiffer made a notable return to the runway, closing Versace's Spring 2024 show at Milan Fashion Week, demonstrating her enduring influence in the fashion industry. She is also a brand ambassador for Rhode, Hailey Bieber’s skincare line.
Claudia Schiffer's journey from a small-town girl to a global fashion icon underscores her resilience, adaptability, and timeless appeal. Her contributions to modeling, acting, and philanthropy have left an indelible mark on the fashion industry and beyond.
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