5 Reasons Why the Male Models of the ’90s Still Make Us Swoon Inline
Photo: Courtesy of Ralph Lauren1/5Muscles—and lots of ’em
Unlike the current penchant for waifish male models with rock ’n’ roll attitude (see: Saint Laurent), the men of the nineties were defined by their sculpted physiques. There are abs, and then there are the logic-defying musculatures possessed by the likes of Joel West and Tyson Beckford. If the female supermodels are credited with ushering in a glamorous aesthetic for women, the men helped to make six-pack abs mandatory for sex symbols in all fields.
Photo: Courtesy of Versace2/5Chivalry isn’t dead—you just can’t see its face in that shot
In modeling, much like acting, there are no small parts: Though they starred in countless campaigns and editorials of their own, the men of the nineties also complemented their female counterparts at every turn. Taking supporting roles in photos now considered iconic helped to create some of the nineties best-loved images: Marcus Schenkenberg literally swept Stephanie Seymour off her feet in Richard Avedon’s campaign for Gianni Versace, while Mark Vanderloo let Christy Turlington shine in the popular commercials for Eternity. Often male models would even serve as the nude backdrop, flanking supermodels as they posed in couture gowns—as Rick Dietz did in Herb Ritts’s oft-imitated ads for Valentino.
Photo: Courtesy of Philippe Dupuis-Mendel3/5They’re Madonna-approved!
Long before Taylor Swift’s revolving door of music video model love interests, Madonna set the standard. As one of the most prolific modelizers in history, Madonna has always appreciated male beauty in both her professional and personal life. Throughout the nineties, the superstar’s videos provided male models with a platform watched by millions. Never one to settle, Madonna often handpicked her fashion It boys, from selecting Guess face Richard Elms to play the object of her affections in the clip for ”Secret” to using then-boyfriend Tony Ward in the risqué short for “Justify My Love.”
Photo: Courtesy of New Line Cinema4/5Hollywood loves them, too
If you want to catch up with many of the nineties biggest male models, all you need to do is turn on your television. While models transitioning into acting is a time-honored tradition, the rate at which the nineties stars have made the switch speaks to their crossover appeal. Jason Lewis, Ian Somerhalder, Tyson Beckford, Antonio Sabàto Jr., Djimon Hounsou, Colin Egglesfield, and Ashton Kutcher all found success striking a pose before making the move to the big screen.
Photo: Yannis Vlamos / Indigitalimages.com5/5And they still rule the runways
When Donatella Versace opened her Spring 2016 menswear collection with Scott Barnhill and Iván de Pineda, she was paying tribute to the brand’s nineties heritage. From 1998 onwards, Barnhill was a regular presence in Versace’s advertising and on its runway, while de Pineda’s history with the house dates back to the days of Gianni. Looking right at home alongside newbies like Lucky Blue Smith and Jordan Barrett, the duo provided a welcome touch of masculine power to the Lawrence of Arabia–inspired collection—proving that the nineties never truly go out of style.
