The World’s First Supermodel: 50 Stunning Photos of Gia Carangi in the 1970s and 1980s

   
Before Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell and Linda Evangelista, there was Gia.

 
Gia Carangi in the late 1970s and early 1980s
Born 1960, Gia Marie Carangi was an American fashion model during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Considered by some to be the first supermodel, she was featured on the cover of fashion magazines, including multiple editions of Vogue and Cosmopolitan, and appeared in advertising campaigns for such fashion houses as Armani, Christian Dior, Versace, and Yves Saint Laurent.
 
After being addicted to heroin, Carangi’s modeling career rapidly declined. She died of AIDS-related complications in 1986 at the age of 26, becoming one of the first famous women to die of the disease. Her life was dramatized in the television film Gia, starring Angelina Jolie, which debuted on HBO in 1998.

Take a look at these stunning photos to see the unique looks of Gia Carangi in the 1970s and 1980s.

 
Gia Carangi for Harper's Bazaar, Italia, November 1978

 
Gia Carangi for Harper's Bazaar, Italia, September 1978

 
Gia Carangi for Harper's Bazaar, Italia, September 1978

 
Gia Carangi for Harper's Bazaar, Italia, September 1978

 
Gia Carangi for Harper's Bazaar, Italia, September 1978

 
Gia Carangi for Harper's Bazaar, Italia, September 1978

 
Gia Carangi for Harper's Bazaar, Italia, September 1978

Gia Carangi for Harper's Bazaar, Italia, September 1978

 
Gia photographed by Chris von Wangenheim wearing Calvin Klein for Harper's Bazaar Italia, June 1978

 
Gia Carangi photographed by Stan Malinowski, June 1978

 
Gia Carangi for Vogue, October 1979

 
Gia Carangi photographed by Arthur Elgort for Vogue, October 1979

Gia Carangi photographed by Chris Von Wangenheim for Vogue, January 1979

Gia Carangi photographed by Chris von Wangenheim, 1979

 Gia Carangi photographed by Chris Von Wangenheim, hair by John Sahag, makeup by Ariella for Vogue, February 1979

Gia Carangi photographed by Irving Penn, hair by Garren, makeup by Way Bandy for Vogue, July 1979

Gia Carangi photographed by Michael Reinhardt for Vogue, May 1979

Gia Carangi photographed by Patrick Demarchelier, 1979

Gia Carangi photographed by Stan Malinowski for Vogue Australia, June 1979

Gia Carangi photographed by Stan Malinowski for Vogue, December 1979

Gia Carangi photographed by Stan Malinowski for Vogue, December 1979

Gia Carangi photographed by Stan Malinowski for Vogue, December 1979

Gia Carangi photographed by Stan Malinowski for Vogue, December 1979

Gia Carangi for Vogue, April 1980

 
Gia Carangi for Vogue, April 1980

Gia Carangi for Vogue, April 1980

Gia Carangi for Vogue, April 1980

Gia Carangi for Vogue, April 1980

Gia Carangi for Vogue, April 1980

Gia Carangi for Vogue, April 1980

Gia Carangi for Vogue, April 1980

Gia Carangi for Vogue, January 1980

Gia Carangi photographed by Denis Piel for New York Magazine, 1980

Gia Carangi photographed by Denis Piel for Vogue, November 1980

Gia Carangi photographed by Patrick Demarchelier for Vogue, hair by Harry King, makeup by Kerry Warn, August 1980

Gia Carangi photographed by Scavullo for Vogue, July 1980

Gia Carangi photographed by Scavullo for Vogue, November 1980

Gia Carangi photographed by Scavullo for Vogue, November 1980

 
  Gia Carangi photographed by Scavullo for Vogue, November 1980

Gia Carangi photographed by Scavullo in St. Bart's Island in the Caribbean for Vogue, hair by Harry King, makeup by Way Bandy, May 1980

Gia Carangi photographed by Scavullo in St. Bart's Island in the Caribbean for Vogue, hair by Harry King, makeup by Way Bandy, May 1980

 Gia Carangi for Vogue Italia, June 1981

Gia Carangi photographed by Andrea Blanch for Harper's Bazaar, Italia, April 1982

Gia Carangi photographed by Andrea Blanch for Harper's Bazaar, Italia, April 1982

Gia Carangi photographed by Andrea Blanch for Harper's Bazaar, Italia, April 1982

Gia Carangi photographed by Andrea Blanch for Harper's Bazaar, Italia, April 1982

Gia Carangi photographed by Andrea Blanch for Vogue, July 1982

Gia Carangi photographed by Scavullo, 1982

Gia Carangi by Linda Fence, circa 1983

 
One of the last photoshoot of Gia Carangi in 1986