The fashion industry is well-known for being a money making machine and the best paid supermodels of 2014 earned several million dollars this year for walking the world’s runways and posing in campaigns. It may be one of the most difficult industries to break into, given the stiff competition, but once a model claims the super-title she’s not likely to soon be forgotten. In fact, some of fashion’s best paid faces have been in the spotlight for over a decade and remain as popular as ever.
However, when it comes to income, the ranking of most desired models varies each year. Last year, we published a list of the top 10 highest-paid supermodels in 2013, featuring some of the best known faces in the business, such as Adriana Lima, Candice Swanepoel, and Hilary Rhoda. But in the fast-paced world of designers and trends, as quick as a trend comes, it disappears, much like the stellar salaries of these beauties. So, let’s take a look at who reached the peak this year: these are the best paid supermodels of 2014.
8. Alessandra Ambrosio
Total earnings: $5 million
This Brazilian super woman has been running the catwalk since she was a teen, but the big bucks started rolling in a decade ago, when the 33 year old starred as the first spokesmodel for the Victoria’s Secret “Pink” line. Today, she’s one of the most popular Angels and has her income insured through H&M contracts, as well as her own clothing line with Planet Blue.
7. Liu Wen
Total earnings: $7 million
At 26 years of age, Liu Wen has reached the dream so many girls dream of: she’s not only one of the best-earning models in the world, but she’s also the first Chinese model to walk the Victoria’s Secret runway. Furthermore, this beautiful lady has conquered the editorial photography world by storm, appearing in Calvin Klein, Coach, Estee Lauder, and Esprit campaigns, as well as being the new face of La Perla.
6. Miranda Kerr
Total earnings: $7 million
Mango, H&M, Reebok, Swarovski, Wonderbra…is there any brand that doesn’t want Miranda Kerr as the face of their campaign? Although the 31-year-old gained a large part of her followers and sponsors as a Victoria’s Secret Angel, she’s moved on to other reals of the fashion world, and in spite of her recent divorce from actor Orlando Bloom and motherhood, Miranda earned her way to the top in 2014.
5. Kate Upton
Total earnings: $7 million
The youngest new-comer on our list, at 22, is Kate Upton. Best known for decorating the cover of Sports Illustrated with her curvy figure, the supermodel also landed contracts with Bobbi Brown cosmetics, Sam Edelman, and Accessorize, amongst others. However, what really boosted her income in 2014 was her role in the movie The Other Woman, which grossed $194 million worldwide.
4. Kate Moss
Total earnings: $7 million
This British supermodel knows her way around the fashion industry, due to her 20 years of experience in the business. But in spite her age, she’s still very much in demand and her campaigns for Kerastase, St. Tropez self-tan, Topshop, jeweller David Yurman, and Rimmel make her one of the best paid supermodels of 2014.
3. Adriana Lima
Total earnings: $8 million
Another Brazilian beauty on our list is best known for being the oldest Victoria’s Secret Angel in the brands history. However, while the lingerie firm certainly helped solidify the supermodel’s popularity and her loyalty has earned her a massive salary, she also signed a contract with Maybelline and Desigual last year, in addition to other international campaigns.
2. Doutzen Kroes
Total earnings: $8 million
The second best paid supermodel at the moment is this Dutch supermodel, who is also the mother of two. It seems almost impossible that with her latest childbirth in 2014, Doutzen Kroes would be able to earn as much as she does, but L’Oreal, Victoria’s Secret, H&M, Emilio Pucci, Calvin Klein, and Miu Miu don’t seem to mind as they all paid millions to have her in their campaigns.
1. Gisele Bundchen
Total earnings: $47 million
For eight consecutive years, Brazilian supermodel and multi-tasker Gisele Bundchen has proven that age is not a defining factor in the fashion industry, since the 34-year-old keeps getting richer each year. If we divide her stratospheric earnings in 2014, it’s a fact that Gisele earned $128,000 per day. Chanel, H&M, Carolina Herrera, Pantene, and Oral-B are only some of her main campaigns, but she further boosts her salary through her lingerie line – Gisele Bundchen intimates – and the jelly sandals she designed for Grendene. So, once again, this proud lady is on the top of the best paid supermodels of 2014.
