Claudia Schiffer: 'Models are no longer hands-on in fashion'

Claudia Schiffer has insisted fashion is now too fast-paced for models to be fully involved.The 47-year-old star rose to global fame in the '90s alongside the likes of Christy Turlington, Cindy Crawford, and Linda Evangelista, all of whom helped establish the term 'supermodel'.

A lot has changed in the industry over the years, with models now expected to keep up appearances at all times, and Claudia doesn't think the younger generation of stars have the same opportunities to express their opinions.

"Basically, the supermodels always had something they wanted to say about anything and everything: 'No, I don't want to wear that.

Can I wear another dress? I don't want to wear these shoes, don't want to be in this position.

Am I the first one out at the fashion show? Am I wearing the wedding dress? Why not?' We were always very involved; I'm sure the designers and photographers would have preferred we say nothing, but we wanted to have a say in everything, and I think that's why we all learned quite a lot," she told Vogue.com.

"I think what's really different nowadays is the much faster pace.

It makes it more difficult; I've read some interviews where models are described as 'supermodel of the moment.'" She also credited the likes of Versace and Valentino as brands which began the trend of making shows a real production rather than just a selling tool.

Claudia returned to the runway last month (Sep17) to walk for Versace in Milan, where she was joined by other original supermodels including Cindy and Naomi Campbell, and recalled the reunion as being a very emotional moment.

"Donatella (Versace) had little cubicles for all of us set up with our own make-up and hair teams, bathrobes made with our names on them - it was just really special," the blonde beauty smiled.

"Everyone got quite emotional backstage and we got quite nervous as well, because we were reliving sort of a moment in time; we'd been there before, but it had been a long time ago."