claudia schiffer

Biography / Gallery

Claudia Schiffer signed memorabilia @ eBay UK

Born: August 25, 1970, Rheinberg, North Rhine–Westphalia, Germany

Early Life

Long before her face appeared on billboards across the globe, Claudia Schiffer grew up in the quiet German town of Rheinberg. Tall, shy and academically gifted, she imagined a future working in her family’s law firm—hardly the destiny that awaited her. Everything changed in 1987 when, at age 17, she was spotted by a modelling agent in a Düsseldorf nightclub. Within weeks she was in Paris. Within months she was the new face of high fashion.

The Rise of a Supermodel

By the early 1990s, Schiffer had become one of the most recognisable women on the planet. Her campaigns for Guess instantly turned the brand into a global phenomenon, and her resemblance to Brigitte Bardot earned her near-mythic status. She graced over a thousand magazine covers, walked the runways for every major fashion house, and became part of the elite circle of “supermodels” alongside Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford and Linda Evangelista.

Karl Lagerfeld famously chose her as the new face of Chanel, calling her his “German goddess.” Under his mentorship, she stepped beyond modelling into the realm of modern fashion history, becoming a symbol of the decade’s glamour and power.

Beyond Fashion

Although best known for modelling, Schiffer explored film, television and business ventures with the same quiet determination that marked her ascent. She appeared in films such as Richie Rich (1994) and Love Actually (2003), and became a frequent guest on talk shows and fashion specials around the world.

Behind the scenes, she developed a reputation for discipline, professionalism and an unexpected sense of humour—qualities that kept her in demand long after many of her peers retired from the spotlight.

Life in the 2000s and 2010s

In 2002 she married film director Matthew Vaughn, with whom she has three children. Schiffer gradually shifted away from full-time modelling, choosing projects selectively while embracing family life in the English countryside.

She also continued developing her entrepreneurial side, producing fashion and beauty collaborations and lending her name to a number of high-profile campaigns. Her appearances became rarer—but when she did step back onto the runway, particularly at anniversary or tribute shows, it was treated as an event.

Recent Years & Creative Work

In the last decade Schiffer has re-emerged not just as a supermodel, but as a fashion curator and cultural ambassador. She curated a major 2020 fashion photography exhibition, collaborated with leading designers, and published retrospectives celebrating her long career.

Unlike many of her contemporaries, she has avoided the trappings of celebrity excess, maintaining a private, family-focused lifestyle while stepping forward only for projects that inspire her—an approach that has kept her image timeless.

Legacy

Today, Claudia Schiffer stands not only as one of the defining faces of the 1990s, but as a model of longevity and reinvention. She helped shape the era of the “supermodel,” opened doors for European fashion talent, and continues to influence trends decades after her discovery.

Elegant, unmistakable and enduringly popular, Schiffer remains a true icon of modern style.