Even before It-girls emerged around the world like Kendall Jenner, Gigi Hadid and Bella Hadid, who promoted their careers on social media, there were a host of models who rocked the merry-go-round in the 90s. and who led the podiums. Among them are Cindy Crawford, Claudia Schiffer, Christy Turlington and of course Niki Taylor.
Taylor, an American model and TV presenter was one of the most popular and sought-after faces of the 90s. From setting a world record as the youngest model to signing a six-figure contract right down to creating fashion history by appearing on the cover of six major women’s fashion and fitness magazines dubbed the “Niki Six,” here are 5 facts you need to know about the model phenomenon.
Niki Taylor’s Bio
It was in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on March 5, 1975, Nicole Renee Taylor was born to Ken, Highway Patrol Lieutenant and Barbara Taylor, Photographer. She grew up in Pembroke Pines, Florida and attended Cooper City High School.
Growing up, Niki was this really big girl with the looks and features made especially for runway shows and magazine covers. So, she slipped into modeling and established herself in the arena in no time.
Modeling career
Being the gorgeous daughter of a photographer has its perks and Niki was the recipient of it. She was making her debut as a teenager when her mother took her first modeling photos. They were then sent to local modeling agencies in Fort Lauderdale with one of them, Irene Marie Models, who eventually signed her.
At the age of 14, she appeared on her first magazine cover, an issue of Seventeen in August 1989. After that, her career took off with explosive speed and she became one of the most ubiquitous in the fashion industry during the 90s – showcasing countless front pages and magazine covers such as Vogue, People, Marie Claire, Harpers Bazaar, Sports Illustrated.
In 1992, Niki Taylor became a feature of CoverGirl’s national ad campaign and their first under-18 spokesperson to sign a major contract. His other advertising campaigns include those for Thierry Mugler, Escada, Liz Claiborne, Jean Paul Gaultier, Versace, Versus, Anne Klein, L’Oréal, Gap, Lee Jeans and Pantene.
Also, she has reached milestones in her career and set records that are yet to be broken. She became the second youngest person after Brooke Shields to grace the cover of Vogue at 15, the youngest person to ever be featured as one of the most famous Most Beautiful People Niki remains the only person to simultaneously have six greats billboards in Times Square in New York, including a year of displaying her image on all three Liz Claiborne billboards in Times Square.
Additionally, in May 1996, she made fashion history by appearing on the covers of six major women’s fashion and fitness magazines, including Allure, Vogue, ELLE, Marie Claire, Self, and Shape, now dubbed “Niki Six”. The model has since been featured Allure magazine holds the record for the record, 11. She has also walked for major fashion houses like Chanel and Givenchy.
After a break from the industry in 2001, she made a modeling comeback in September 2016. Effortlessly and gracefully, the ageless model with an infectious smile returned to the top of the arena, doing what she knows best. better – doing set covers, editorials and features for major magazines – and has become a strong asset in fashion and the mainstream press.
Niki has also been hailed for her personal style which has earned her best dressed titles in Vanity Fair, Vogue, Hello magazine and Women’s Wear Daily.
Net value
Niki Taylor, although one of the most sought after models of the 90s, is not only successful in the fashion industry but is also a television personality, spokesperson, entrepreneur and philanthropist.
Taylor launched her first fragrance “Begin by Niki Taylor” in 2005 and performed several animated concerts on television. She was an interviewer for segments of the syndicated program Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, covered events for NBC, guest-hosted MTV In Fashion, hosted the new Bravo series Make Me A Model in 2008 alongside Tyson Beckford, a male model, and introduced talk show finalists to friend’s spokesperson and Cover Girl co-host Tyra Banks in 2007.
Additionally, she contested in the fourth edition of Donald Trump ‘s The Celebrity Apprentice in 2011. She also founded the Begin Foundation for the Advancement of Women in Business and supports the American Red Cross.
Besides her good looks and charm, Niki also wields the ability to consistently increase sales and interest in brands or events, which industry insiders have called the “Niki Effect”. His image has sold products and services worth billions of dollars, and his appearance in a magazine covers the increase in street sales. Moreso, his image is also the driving force behind entire multi-year campaigns. Her calendars were all best-sellers and as proof of her exceptionally wide appeal, Niki Taylor was the only model to ever sell a calendar at the world’s largest retailer, Wal-Mart.
She holds the Guinness Book of World Records as the youngest model to ever sign a six-figure contract. His net worth has been estimated at $18 million.
Family – husband, children, sister
The model was born with fashion in her blood: Ken and Barbara Taylor are the second of their three daughters, Joelle and Krissy.
Her photographer mom was also a model and was on the cover of Gold Coast magazine in the 70s, the same one Taylor appeared in 2000. However, the duo aren’t the only camera lovers. Niki’s younger sister, Krissy, followed them. She appeared on the cover of Seventeen with her big sister Niki and they did a lot of European fashion shows together, which Niki counted as one of the highlights of her career.
Sadly, Krissy passed away on July 2, 1995 at the age of 17 at their home. The cause of death was originally thought to be an asthma attack, but it was later discovered to be a rare heart condition called arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (RVD).
Niki was married to former Miami Hooters linebacker, Matt Martinez from 1994 to 1996. Twin sons, Jake and Hunter, in December 1994. Ten years after their split, she tied the knot with NASCAR driver Burney Lamar, December 27, 2006, at the Grande Colonial Hotel in La Jolla, California.
The couple’s daughter, Ciel Taylor Lamar, was born on March 4, 2009, and was followed two years later by her brother, Rex Harrison Lamar, who was born on November 16, 2011.
Taylor is one of those celebrities whose descendant wants to follow in their footsteps. Her daughter already knows how to do striking poses even without her mother teaching her. The pair did a shoot together for Allure Russia in 2017 and Ciel is also set to be in a Sherri Hill show during New York Fashion Week in 2018. Additionally, Hunter is a good girl on the runways and Niki is thrilled to be able to share a bit of his world with them.
She is a survivor
Niki Taylor has had her share of the ups and downs associated with life, but bounces back from every low to soar even higher. Her life was struck by tragedy in 1995 when she discovered her sister’s lifeless body. Although she was spared defeat, Niki kept pushing forward. Then came a marriage to his mother, twin son, and divorce in his early twenties.
Tragedy then struck again. On April 28, 2001, she nearly died in a horrific car accident, which left her in a coma for six weeks. She had been seriously injured internally, including a collapsed lung and severe liver damage. hold his column together. She underwent no fewer than 50 surgeries and extensive physical therapy.
The near tragedy changed his approach to life both on and off the track forever. Although it took years for her to recover and get back into modeling, she is extremely grateful to be alive and greatly appreciates the support system she has. Taylor also credits blood transfusions with saving her life, so she joined the American Red Cross as an ambassador in 2007.