The return of the 'comeback'. Do supermodels ever really retire?

It seems like every time I turn around lately another supermodel is making a 'comeback'. Linda Evangelista was one of the first, appearing in L'Oreal ads and also a campaign for Prada in 2008. Christy Turlington also showed her face for Maybelline. And now it seems Cindy Crawford's mole graces this month's cover of Harper's Bazaar and Claudia Schiffer is the face of Chanel once more. It seems like the 'Big Six' are coming back (although Kate and Naomi never really left).

At the height of their reign in the 90s

Cindy Crawford on the cover of this month(March 2010)'s Harper's Bazaar

Claudia Schiffer as the face of Chanel's Spring/Summer 2010 ad campaign

However it is most definitely Natalia Vodianova that takes the cake when it comes to short-lived 'retirement'. Having left super-modelling at the tender age of 24 in order to better focus her efforts on her charity work with her Naked Heart Foundation, happily married and having 3 young children to care for; it seemed like it was all over for the young Russian. But after what seems like less than a year she's back and working more than ever. One can hardly flip through a fashion magazine without coming across her striking features in an advertisement, in catwalk photos, or even on the society pages.

She's the face of not one but four high end campaigns this season - Stella McCartney, Givenchy, Yves Saint Laurent and the new Calvin Klein fragrance, Euphoria. It's only just February and she's already graced the cover of several major fashion magazines including LOVE and British Vogue in 2010. Having worn the finale dress in Stella McCartney's Spring/Summer 2010 show also guaranteed her photo from the catwalk being printed in every fashion magazine worth it's salt. So what exactly does it mean to be a retired supermodel these days.

On the February 2010 cover of British Vogue

On the Spring/Summer 2010 cover of LOVE magazine

On the catwalk for Stella McCartney's Spring/Summer 2010 show

Of all the contemporary supermodels, she is by far my favourite. I'm glad she's back. Because I'm feeling quite self-indulgent; here are a few of my favourite pictures of her from over the past few years.

As the face of Calvin Klein underwear, 2007

May 2008 British Vogue cover and spread

In editorial shoots with her daughter, Neva

British Vogue spread, May 2009

On the cover of British Vogue, June 2009

With Lily Cole and Agyness Deyn both proclaiming they've left modelling behind for acting, and Gemma Ward seemingly in hiding; I'll bet it's only a matter of time before we see them grace catwalks across the globe once more.

More soon.

All catwalk photos from Style.com