Gigi Hadid, Kendall Jenner Officially Become Supermodels — Did ‘ANTM’ Inspire Their Careers?

Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner finally made it. After walking for several major fashion designers, gracing the cover of fashion magazines worldwide, and being featured in campaigns for luxury brands, the girls have officially become supermodels.

It’s no secret that Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner have become household names in just a span of a year. Both girls can thank their social media accounts for their success in the fashion world. And it also helps that Hadid, 22, and Jenner, 20, both come from wealthy families who also star in their own reality shows, giving the girls even more of a platform.

Their fans are constantly liking and commenting on their posts on both Twitter and Instagram. It’s the secret to their success, as previously reported via the Inquisitr. What also helps is that Kendall and Gigi are both beautiful girls who take amazing selfies around the world and are actually best friends. Both of them even have millions of followers who boost any fashion campaign they’re in. But does that mean Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid should officially be given the title “supermodel“?

According to Vogue, they absolutely should. In a recent article, the fashion magazine declared Kendall and Gigi the official title of supermodels. The publication explains that Kendall and Gigi have worked hard to earn the title, even if some people assume it was just given to them because of nepotism.

“In previous years the grounds for supermodel were relatively clear: Magazine covers, ads, and space in the pop culture consciousness earned a model the title after years of hard work. You couldn’t be labeled super unless you accomplished a series of set career goals, namely the kinds of high-profile jobs that rendered a woman (or man) capable of becoming known in and out of the industry. Serving as both designer muses and brand representatives via campaigns was a must, as was snagging a coveted beauty or fragrance contract. Appearing on the front page of a major publication served to take models to the next level in the years before actresses and celebrities replaced catwalkers as the de facto cover stars.”

How do Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid compare to the first group of supermodels from the ’90s? Those models didn’t need any introduction because they were more than models. Naomi Campbell made movies, Kate Moss dated Hollywood royalty and caused controversy, Cindy Crawford starred in Pepsi commercials, and Linda Evangelista made headlines for being friends with the infamous Campbell.

Now some are wondering if Kendall and Gigi’s careers were inspired by America’s Next Top Model. Tyra Banks believes that the long-running reality show helped launched the girls’ careers. In her interview with Entertainment Weekly, the ANTM series creator said that the show has allowed the fashion industry to be open-minded to girls like Kendall and Gigi.

“I think it has opened up the world to accepting reality television stars as models. If you think about Kendall and Kylie [Jenner] — people think Kylie’s not a model, but I think she’s a model — and Gigi [Hadid] and all of these girls from reality television. I think Top Model knocked the doors down for that to be okay in the high fashion world.”

Most recently, Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner made their debut at the 2015 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, which was their ultimate dream come true. Both girls have also been open about trying to distance themselves from their famous families and to be taken more seriously in the fashion world. While Kendall removed her last name for professional reasons, Gigi told Us Weekly last year that she doesn’t want to be known as just a reality star. Meanwhile, her mother, Yolanda Foster of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, revealed that Gigi had to audition twice for Victoria’s Secret before landing the coveted title of Angel.

What are your thoughts? Do you think Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner deserve the title of supermodel? And do you think that their careers were launched by America’s Next Top Model? Sound off below in the comments section.

[Photo by Jacopo Raule/Getty Images For Balmain]