Since its debut in 2007, it seems like the reality TV show Keeping Up with the Kardashians has only made the clan more and more publicly known, if that even seems possible. But as of late, one particular Kardashian’s star has been rising at lightyear speed, but surprise! It’s not a Kardashian at all, but actually a Jenner. That would be Kendall Jenner, the 18-year-old fashion superstar who’s soaking up the spotlight, and dare we even say doing so with more grace and diplomacy than her attention-seeking/grabbing older sisses. Here, we examine the rise of Kendall Jenner.
Appearing on red carpets since childhood, the fashion world took notice of Kendall years ago, which landed her a contract with the highly acclaimed modeling agency Wilhelmina when she was just 14. Things started taking off for Jenner shortly after this — she wrote a special contributor column for Seventeen magazine, posed for Teen Vogue and started her own fashion line with her younger sister Kylie. Already dipping her toe into and showing promising talent for her modeling career, she shot her first major ad campaign for Forever 21 and seemingly never looked back.
Kendall Jenner for Teen Vogue, September 2014 (Photographed by: Emma Summerton)
A year later at 15, Jenner walked her first show during NYFW for glamour-gown favourite Sherri Hill. The following year, she was back in action at Sherri Hill, this time walking the catwalk alongside little sis Kylie. This year, Kendall is in much more demand and has made her mark on many more runways; most memorably, in a sheer deep v-neck top and blonde sharp bob at Marc Jacobs’ show in New York. Proving her versatility, she also walked at Giles’ show in London and claimed her model royalty status when hanging out with It-Girl Cara Delevigne.
Jenner is just as comfortable making fashion news backstage as she is front row. This was evident At the Topshop Unique show, where she sat front row next to owner Sir Philip Green, Anna Wintour and Kate Moss, where she snapped selfies with the legends and caused a paparazzi frenzy. Capitalizing off this notion, she was one of only a select few high profiles asked by US Vogue to participate in #VogueInstaFashion during the A/W 2014 season. The feature showed Jenner snapping pics of herself from her luxe hotel room at renowned The Plaza Hotel, showing her slick style in pieces from Marc Jacobs, Oscar de la Renta, Michael Kors, Carolina Herrera, Vera Wang, and Tory Burch.
Kendall Jenner Chanel Fall 2014 Couture Collection
This spring, Jenner made headlines again, but this time it was for her elegance and sophistication she oozed while at the Met Gala, arguably the most highly anticipated red carpet event of the year. Soon after, she appeared at the Cannes Film Festival, dazzling in tons of diamonds and again walking with confidence, ease and composure.
In addition to her international runway work and red carpet invites, Jenner has also recently been shot by world renowned photographers for major glossies, like appearing in Paris Vogue’s May issue, shot by Patrick Demarchelier. A month later, she was featured in Interview magazine and flexed her model skills, showing her diversity and ability to transform.
Most recently and quite impressively, the 18-year-old scored her first major fashion campaign for Givenchy. For their A/W 2014 collection, Jenner posed alongside highly regarded models Mariacarla Boscono and Julia Nobis.
But what is a fashion icon without some arm candy in tow? Heightening her icon status, Jenner was recently seen with fellow front row fixture One Direction member Harry Styles. But unlike her sisters before her, the wise beyond her years Jenner graciously stayed silent about the relationship, even when it ended a few short weeks later. Showing the world she knows how to handle the spotlight, it’s certain we haven’t seen the last of Kendall Jenner.
