Models and the big bucks

Forbes magazine enlists highest-paid models of 2014, who collectively made a whopping $105 million in the past year.

Models are among those fashion fraternity stakeholders who bask in the big bucks of the lucrative global industry. The Forbes magazine’s recent list of 2014’s highest-paid models is testament to this. According to the list, the world’s top 10 highest-paid models made a combined $105 million in the last 12 months, between June 2013 and June 2014. Forbes tracked pre-tax earnings for all models, who generate a large part of their income through modelling for cosmetics and fragrance contracts, advertising, and endorsements, among other ventures.

Gisele Bundchen ($47 million)



Bundchen has topped Forbes’ list of highest-paid models for the eighth year running. The 34-year-old Brazilian beauty earned $47 million over the past year, $16million more than her New England Patriots quarterback husband, Tom Brady, reported the Daily Mail. The mother-of-two’s impressive pre-tax earnings were credited to high-profile modelling campaigns for H&M, Chanel and Carolina Herrera, as well as her being the face of Pantene in the United States and the face of Oral-B in Brazil. Gisele gets a cut of sales from the jelly sandals she designs for Brazilian shoemaker Grendene.

Doutzen Kroes ($8 million)



From having a sweltering post-baby body to the best runway smile, Dutch diva Kroes continues to go from strength to strength. Coming only second to Bundchen, Kroes made $8 million by the end of the year. Bolstering her lucrative L’Oreal cosmetics contract and longstanding Victoria’s Secret deal with H&M catalogue, Emilio Pucci and Miu Miu appearances, she surely made it big this year. The face of a new Calvin Klein fragrance ad, the 29-year-old has her own line of cashmere sweaters, reported the Huffington Post.

Adriana Lima ($8 million)



Another millionaire minted by Victoria’s Secret, Lima is the longest-running Angel in the brand’s history, first posing for them in 2000. Making $8 million this year, the 33-year-old’s supermodel seniority comes with a supersized deal. Bagging a new contract as Spanish brand Desigual’s brand ambassador, she is a blazing success. The Brazilian beauty also returns as the face of Maybelline, 11 years after she initially signed with the cosmetics company. Overseas, a deal with Veet hair removal cream in Turkey and an endorsement of Amazonia water expands her audience. She reportedly split from husband NBA star Marko Jaric in May, reported the Daily Mail.

Kate Upton ($7 million)



It’s been a good year for Upton. A newcomer to the highest-earning models list, Upton cashed in on her Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue covers with a lucrative Bobbi Brown cosmetics contract and Express clothing line signing. Upton was signed after a video of her performing a popular dance known as the ‘Dougie’ at a sports game went viral, and she has landed campaigns for Sam Edelman, David Yurman and Accessorize since. Upton, whose curvaceous figure made her an unusual choice for high-fashion shoots, has proven her critics wrong. The 22-year-old took home an estimated $7 million pay check before taxes and fees. According to the Daily Mail, her 2014 silver screen debut titled The Other Woman grossed $194 million worldwide.

Kate Moss ($7 million)



The Croydon-born supermodel has fronted campaigns for luxury brands, such as Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Calvin Klein, Chanel and Bvlgari, fattening her pay check to $7 million. Her talents don’t just lie in front of the camera as Moss has also tried her hand at fashion designing with successful fashion lines in the US and UK. She also has a handbag range for Longchamp. The indomitable Brit returned this year as the face of luxury jeweller David Yurman. A longtime Rimmel ambassador, she continues to produce collaborative fashion lines with British retailer Topshop. Moss’ mammoth annual income includes campaigns for St Tropez self-tan and Kerastase haircare products. 

Published in The Express Tribune, January 2^nd,  2015.

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