Gianni Versace - the supermodel's Svengali - introduces the world to women who don't get out of bed for less than $10,000.

Date: March 2001. Place: Milan.

The Versace catwalk show was traditionally the height of shameless Italian glamour. After the usual wait the soundtrack switched to George Michael's track, Freedom, and four figures appear in shadow on the back of the catwalk. Spotlights reveal it's Linda, Cindy, Naomi and Christy - first names only even then - wearing tiny toga dresses slashed to the thigh in dazzlingly bright shades. They stride out, flashing long bronzed legs, arms loosely intertwined, miming to the words of the song. "I won't let you down... please don't give me up."  It was a blinding collection in every sense, from the Versace signature patterns to the pinks and yellows and greens. But most importantly there were the girls... oh, those girls. The line-up included Helena Christensen, Stephanie Seymour, Eva Herzigova, Carla Bruni, Gail Elliot, and Claudia Schiffer. Before the show these girls were merely models. After they were supermodels. -By Julia Robson