Claudia Schiffer is one of the most iconic supermodels of the 1990s, a defining figure of the era that transformed runway models into global celebrities. Frequently mentioned alongside Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington, and Elle Macpherson, she became part of an elite circle that redefined fashion, media influence, and luxury branding. With hundreds of magazine covers and major haute couture campaigns, Claudia Schiffer established herself as one of the most photographed women in the world.

Early Life and Background

Claudia Schiffer was born on August 25, 1970, in Rheinberg, North Rhine-Westphalia, West Germany, to Heinz Schiffer and Gudrun Schiffer. She grew up in the suburbs of Düsseldorf in a structured, academically oriented household. Her father was a lawyer, and her mother was a homemaker. She has one sister, Ann Carolin, and two brothers, Stefan and Andreas.

Initially aspiring to pursue law, she did not envision a career in fashion. That changed at age 17 when she was discovered in a Düsseldorf nightclub by Metropolitan Modeling Agency director Michel Levaton. Soon after, she moved to Paris, where her professional transformation into an international model began.

Rise to Supermodel Status

Her breakthrough came in 1987 when she appeared on the cover of ELLE France. The exposure quickly positioned Claudia Schiffer within the upper tier of European fashion. She began working closely with Chanel, becoming the muse and favorite model of creative director Karl Lagerfeld. Her look was often compared to that of Brigitte Bardot, reinforcing her image as a modern reinterpretation of classic French glamour.

Throughout the 1990s, she appeared on the covers of The New York Times, Rolling Stone, People, and Vanity Fair, solidifying her presence in both fashion and mainstream culture. She signed major contracts with Revlon and later became a global ambassador for L'Oréal. On the runway, she represented luxury houses including Versace, Jil Sander, Dolce & Gabbana, Ralph Lauren, and Valentino. In 1996, she joined Victoria's Secret as a featured model, expanding her recognition in the American market.

Her inclusion among the top five supermodels of her generation—alongside Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista, and Christy Turlington—confirmed her status as one of the dominant figures of 1990s fashion.

Business Ventures and Brand Expansion

In 1995, Claudia Schiffer co-founded the Fashion Cafe restaurant chain in New York together with Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington, and Elle Macpherson. The concept capitalized on the commercial power of the supermodel brand, although the venture eventually declared bankruptcy.

She appeared in high-profile advertising campaigns for Pepsi, Fanta, and Citroën, the latter drawing attention for its bold creative direction. During the peak of her modeling career, she released four fitness videos, including “Claudia Schiffer’s Perfectly Fit,” which became one of the best-selling exercise tapes of its time.

Acting Career

Claudia Schiffer made her film debut in Richie Rich (1994). She later appeared in Ready to Wear (1994), Blackout (1997), Black and White (1999), Friends and Lovers (1999), Zoolander (2001), Life Without Dick (2002), In Pursuit (2001), and Love Actually (2003). She also made a television appearance in Dharma & Greg (1997).

Although her acting career did not achieve the same commercial impact as her modeling work, these appearances broadened her public profile and demonstrated her crossover appeal.

Personal Life and Public Scrutiny

In 1993, Claudia Schiffer began a high-profile relationship with illusionist David Copperfield. The couple became engaged and remained together for six years before separating in September 1999. Their relationship generated significant media attention, including allegations that their partnership was contractual—claims both denied publicly.

Afterward, she was romantically linked to Tim Jeffries, whose family comments briefly revived earlier media speculation. Despite public scrutiny, she maintained a relatively private lifestyle.

Since 1997, Claudia Schiffer has served as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, using her international platform for humanitarian advocacy.

On May 25, 2002, she married British film producer Matthew Vaughn. The couple has three children: Cosima Violet (born 2002), Caspar Matthew (born 2003), and Clementine Poppy (born 2004). She currently resides in the United Kingdom, where she continues to engage in fashion, design collaborations, and philanthropic initiatives.

As one of the defining faces of 1990s haute couture, Claudia Schiffer remains an enduring symbol of the supermodel era—an era that reshaped global fashion, celebrity culture, and luxury branding.

Source: Biyografiler.com