Gigi Hadid is stepping back into one of fashion’s most memorable decades for the latest issue of Edward Enninful’s 72 Magazine.
The supermodel appears on the cover of 72 Magazine Issue #5, dressed in an archival Versace look from Spring 1994. The cover is part of the publication’s first-anniversary issue, which celebrates the creative influence of the 1990s and examines how the decade continues to shape fashion and popular culture.
Founded by former British Vogue editor-in-chief Edward Enninful under his EE72 media company, the London-based independent publication has chosen a major fashion theme for its anniversary edition. The new issue brings together today’s leading models and some of the most influential faces of the 1990s through a series of dual covers.
Two Generations of Supermodels Meet
Gigi Hadid is one of nine contemporary models featured on the new covers. She is joined by Anok Yai, Paloma Elsesser, Imaan Hammam, He Cong, Adwoa Aboah, Mica Argañaraz, Julia Nobis and Emily Ratajkowski.
The flip side of the covers pays tribute to an earlier generation of fashion icons. Archival images feature Linda Evangelista, Cindy Crawford, Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, Kristen McMenamy, Yasmeen Ghauri, Karen Elson, Christy Turlington and Amber Valletta.
The concept places two generations of modelling side by side, inviting readers to look at the differences and similarities between the supermodel era of the 1990s and the fashion industry of today.
Gigi’s cover has received particular attention because of the archival Versace outfit. The Spring 1994 collection represents a period when Versace was firmly establishing its bold, glamorous and instantly recognisable visual identity.
Why the 1990s Still Matter to Fashion
The influence of 1990s fashion has remained remarkably strong. From straight-leg denim and slip dresses to minimal tailoring and vintage designer pieces, the decade continues to provide inspiration for contemporary designers and stylists.
However, the attraction of the 1990s goes beyond individual clothing trends. It was also an important period for the rise of the celebrity supermodel.
Models such as Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Cindy Crawford and Christy Turlington became internationally recognised personalities whose influence extended far beyond fashion magazines and runway shows. They appeared in music videos, films, advertising campaigns and television, helping to create a level of celebrity around models that was rarely seen before.
By featuring contemporary models alongside archival images from that period, 72 Magazine is acknowledging how much the fashion industry has changed while also recognising the lasting influence of that generation.
Gigi Hadid Brings a Modern Presence to an Archival Look
Gigi Hadid has spent much of her career balancing contemporary fashion with references to earlier eras. Her appearance in archival Versace therefore feels appropriate for an issue built around fashion history and its continuing relevance.
Archival fashion has become increasingly important in recent years, particularly on red carpets and magazine covers. Rather than simply recreating older designs, celebrities and stylists are increasingly seeking out original pieces from significant collections.
There is a difference between wearing something inspired by the 1990s and wearing a genuine design from that period. An archival garment carries the visual language, craftsmanship and cultural context of the time in which it was created.
That makes Hadid’s Versace look more than a nostalgic styling choice. It connects a contemporary model with an important chapter in fashion history.
A Cover Concept That Has Sparked Discussion
The dual-cover concept has already generated mixed reactions among fashion followers.
Some have praised the decision to bring two generations of models together and highlighted the strength of the Gigi Hadid cover in particular. Others have questioned whether placing contemporary imagery next to photographs of 1990s supermodels invites an unavoidable comparison between two very different eras.
That debate may be exactly what makes the issue interesting.
The fashion industry of the 1990s was shaped largely by print magazines, major runway shows and a relatively small group of globally recognised supermodels. Today’s fashion culture operates very differently, with social media, digital publications and celebrity influence creating a much broader and faster-moving system.
Comparing the two periods is therefore not simply about deciding which generation of models is better. It is also about understanding how the business of fashion, image-making and celebrity has changed.
For 72 Magazine, its first anniversary issue arrives with a strong idea and an equally strong visual cast. By putting Gigi Hadid in archival 1994 Versace and pairing today’s leading models with photographs of the icons who defined the 1990s, the magazine has created a conversation between fashion’s past and present.
And the choice of Versace is particularly significant. Gianni Versace played a major role in defining the glamour and confidence associated with 1990s fashion, while also helping transform models into household names. His runway shows were closely connected to the rise of the supermodel phenomenon.
More than three decades later, seeing an original 1994 Versace design worn by Gigi Hadid shows why archival fashion continues to attract attention. The best designs do not simply survive because they are old; they remain relevant because they still have the power to look distinctive when introduced to a new generation.
