These goddesses are super – or superior – to us normal folk, at least.

Since they emerged in the late 80s, they’ve always been mysterious creatures who keep us wanting more.

As a photographer, if Elle Macpherson or Christy Turlington appeared on a red carpet, it was like hitting the jackpot.

They’ve never let themselves become overexposed, unlike today’s reality TV stars, who will go to the opening of an envelope.

And that’s the key to their endurance – the “less is more” approach.

Linda Evangelista famously said: “I don’t get out of bed for less than $10,000 a day.”

And she didn’t. Supermodels perfected the art of being paid more for doing less.

For me, their star power was summed up when Linda Evangelista, Tatjana Patitz, Cindy Crawford, Christy Turlington and Naomi Campbell all appeared in George Michael’s Freedom video in 1990 and lip-synced along to the song – which was a smash hit.

It was so dramatic and sexy.

One way for them to keep their allure is to rarely give interviews where you hear their voices.

Now, because they’ve made their millions, they can afford to pick and choose what they get up to in public.

When they do give us a glimpse, everyone pays attention.

I photographed Naomi Campbell a few weeks ago at an anti-racism awards ceremony where she tearfully accepted a legacy award.

It’s a far cry from when she was tearing about at the most exclusive parties, but Naomi and the rest of the models have shown a more human, caring side as they get older.

These women hold tremendous power in the industry and will watch out for the younger models.

They’ve been known to ban photographers who have acted unprofessionally.

And for the younger up-and-coming models, there’s no one who can hold a torch to them.