Are Kendall and Gigi Really Supermodels?

"I know a lot of people—legitimate fashion people—can’t stand it," Rebecca Romjin, actress and former model, said in an interview with Entertainment Weekly. "Hate it that these, you know, social media stars are now the supermodels in fashion."

From the start of their modeling careers, Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid have generated controversy as to whether or not their status and success is due to nepotism. Nepotism, as the Oxford Dictionaries define, is "the practice among those with power or influence of favoring relatives or friends, especially by giving them jobs." Of course, one could not help but wonder if Kendall is walking the catwalk because of her sister's connections, or if Gigi's (and now Bella's for that matter) similar success is due to her mother's own network in the fashion industry.

Stephanie Seymour, one of the original six "supermodels" of the 90s, stated to Vanity Fair, “They are completely different than we were,” she said. “Supermodels are sort of the thing of the past. They deserve their own title. [Kendall and Gigi] are beautiful girls, and I support all of them, but they need their own title.”

On a similar note, model Arisce Wanzer wrote an open letter addressed to Kendall Jenner upon Jenner's claims of "working hard" up to her premiere show at NYFW. Wanzer calls on Jenner to walk in the shoes of the average model, many of whom do not live anywhere near a glamorous life and struggle to make it to the big leagues... But achieve this only to find someone like Jenner is also walking in the same shows without trouble. It cheapens the experience, Wanzer argues, and fashion houses lose their dignity in the process. Why? To "milk [Kendall's] fame like the cash cow that it is."

To better understand the variety of opinions on this matter, I reached out to my followers on Tumblr and asked their opinions on the Gigi and Kendall controversy. Here's what they had to say:

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As for myself, I cannot help but believe Kendall and Gigi's success is due to nepotism. As Wanzer states in the previously mentioned open letter, many women from small towns or third world countries find themselves in the modeling industry. This may be to escape their way of life, get a green card, or work in better conditions. There are many amazing and talented models in the industry today, but they struggle to book the shows they deserve. Meanwhile, "supermodels" like Kendall and Gigi are paid an exuberant amount of money to walk in these shows, while lesser-known models would be a better fit for them. What do you think?