Being part of her family’s reality TV show, Kendall Jenner opened the gates to the many possibilities of how it is impossible to elude fame when you come from a celebrity family. However, Kendall proved in many ways that there’s more that she can offer aside from being a reality star. She made her name and success, especially as a fashion force, becoming the highest-paid model in 2021.
Kendall’s unique style and influence on fashion trends made her appear on the covers of major fashion magazines, work with famous designers, and become a strong influence on social media platforms, where she often shares her fashion choices. Let’s dig into Kendall Jenner’s rise to fame and how her impeccable style made her a fashion icon.
Kendall Jenner’s Early Life
Kendall Jenner, the half-sister of the Kardashian clan, has become a prominent fashion icon in recent years. Kendall Nicole Jenner was born in California (Los Angeles) on November 3, 1995, to former Olympic decathlon champion Caitlyn Jenner (then known as Bruce Jenner) and television star and businesswoman Kris Jenner (née Houghton).
The family decided to have Jenner’s middle name paying tribute to her mother’s best friend, Nicole Brown Simpson, who was murdered just before Jenner was conceived.
Jenner has a younger sister, Kylie, and eight half-siblings. On Caitlyn’s side of the family, she has three older half-brothers – Burt, Brandon, and Brody Jenner – and one older half-sister, Casey Marino. As for Kris, Jenner has three half-sisters – Kourtney, Kim, Khloé – and one half-brother, Rob Kardashian.
Kendall grew up with her sister and the Kardashian family in Calabasas, an upscale suburb west of Los Angeles. She attended Sierra Canyon School before switching to homeschooling as her aspiration was to continue her modeling career. She graduated in 2014.
Kendall’s Rise to Fame
Kendall’s family became widely known through their reality television show “Keeping Up with the Kardashians,” which premiered in 2007 when she was just 11 years old. Kris Jenner met Ryan Seacrest to pursue a reality TV show about her family in 2007. Seacrest was then the owner of a production and decided to go with The Osbournes as a family-based reality show. The show was eventually picked up and aired on E! cable network, with Jenner’s mother as executive producer.
The reality show debuted on October 14, 2007, and revolves around Jenner, her parents, Kris and Bruce (now Caitlyn), and her siblings, Kylie, Kourtney, Kim, Khloé and Rob. Eventually, the series became a hit, leading to spin-offs, including Kourtney and Kim Take Miami in 2009, where Kendall was actively appearing.
Jenner was also featured as a recurring cast member on Kourtney & Kim Take New York, which premiered in January 2011. Also, in 2011, Jenner appeared on her sister’s show, Khloe & Lamar, since its debut, and the series focuses on Khloe Kardashian.
Since her television appearances, Kendall’s modeling career began to take off when she signed with the prestigious Wilhelmina Models modeling agency at 14.
Having modeled for the Sherri Hill dress line, specializing in evening and pageant wear, Kendall became a fashion trendsetter.
She was also featured in People magazine’s “Beauty” article and became a staple name for modeling events. She made her glamorous runway debut at Sherri Hill’s spring 2012 fashion show. Kendall Jenner continued to appear on “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” throughout its run, which ended in 2021.
Kendall Jenner’s Modeling Debut
Kendall Jenner has been recognized in the fashion industry for her outstanding looks and modeling talent. She has walked the runways of many high-end fashion brands and appeared in many campaigns and fashion magazines.
Her modeling career flourished as she signed contracts with top modeling agencies and participated in prestigious fashion events like New York Fashion Week.
After Jenner appeared on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar and in editorials for Interview, Paper, and Vogue, Kendall’s modeling career gained significant momentum as she walked the runways for top fashion designers and brands, including Marc Jacobs, Chanel, Givenchy, and more.
In November 2012, Jenner teamed up with Russell James- a Victoria’s Secret photographer, for editorial work and joint projects. In 2013 and 2014, their work appeared together in Miss Vogue Australia, Kurv, and Harper’s Bazaar Arabia. Jenner appears in James’s book Nomad Two Worlds: Australia, which launches in Sydney and Los Angeles. Jenner’s editorial work marked a shift in focus to high and sophisticated fashion, and Jenner signed on November 21, 2013, with The Society Management.
Jenner attended two Chanel PR events in 2014: one, Chanel’s event on the theme of rallying feminism, and second, the company’s Métiers D’Art in Salzburg. Jenner has shot covers and written editorials for Interview LOVE and Teen Vogue. Jenner has appeared in Givenchy campaigns and the December-themed LOVE advent calendar promotion alongside Doug Inglish. In November 2014, Jenner became the official representative of Estée Lauder. Jenner was hailed as the “It Girl” of the season by LOVE editor-in-chief Katie Grand.
She has walked the Chanel Haute Couture catwalk and many other famous shows, including Fendi and Balmain. Her name was announced as the world’s highest-paid model in 2018 on Forbes’ list of highest-paid models, and as of 2019, she is the 12th most followed person on Instagram.
Kendall Jenner’s Iconic Style
Kendall’s unique beauty is a key factor in her success. With her long legs, flawless skin, and piercing eyes, she has the perfect combination of features that make her a natural fit for the fashion industry. Her ability to quickly transform into different looks and styles has made her one of our favorite photographers and designers.
Besides her physical attributes, Kendall’s style is another reason she’s become a fashion icon. She has a natural talent for combining high-end designer pieces with more affordable pieces, creating a look that’s both accessible and aspirational. Whether wearing a couture gown on the red carpet or rocking a casual, street-style outfit, Kendall always looks chic. No wonder she was hailed as the “top creative to watch out for” in 2015 on the annual Dazed (bi-monthly British lifestyle magazine) 100 list.
Kendall Jenner is known for her diverse style.She can easily transition from high fashion to casual and streetwear. Her ability to adapt to different fashion styles has made her a sought-after model and style icon. Kendall often tends towards a minimalist and luxurious fashion style. She often chooses clean lines, neutral colors, and simple yet elegant designs. This style is characterized by its refined sophistication.
Her simple fashion looks also made headlines as a trend when she’s not on the runway; Kendall often embraces a laid-back, off-duty model style. This typically includes denim, t-shirts, sneakers, and oversized sunglasses. Her street style is casual yet effortlessly cool. With millions of followers on social media, Kendall Jenner is considered a fashion influencer. Her Instagram posts often showcase her latest fashion choices and significantly impact fashion trends.
Further, her impeccable style for mix-and-match accessories became a headliner while fans await her fashion statements. She pays attention to accessories, often choosing statement pieces like sunglasses, handbags, and jewelry to complete her outfits. Accessories play a crucial role in elevating her overall look.
Kendall Jenner’s Love for Horseback Riding
Kendall Jenner’s interest in horseback riding dates back to her childhood. She grew up in a family with a penchant for outdoor activities, and horseback riding was one of her early interests. Kendall has participated in equestrian competitions, especially show jumping. Show jumping is an equestrian sport where riders steer their horses over obstacles, aiming to complete it with the least mistakes. The model’s dedication to the sport has led her to participate in various equestrian competitions.
This outdoor enthusiast revealed in her interview with Harper’s Bazaar magazine that if things fell apart in her modeling path, she had a backup plan to become an equestrian. Before starting a veterinary career, she dreamed of being a professional racer for several years. Her passion for horses runs deep, as she has devoted much of her life to mastering the art of horse riding. Now, that’s a new leaf for this promising lady!
Kendall Jenner’s Business Ventures
Kendall Jenner was involved in various business ventures and modeling projects. The model created two signature nail polishes for the Nicole by OPI Kardashian Kolors nail polish line in 2011, for which the Jenner sisters eventually earned a combined profit of $100,000. On March 16, 2012, Kendall and her younger sister, Kylie Jenner, launched their fashion line called “Kendall + Kylie.” This brand includes clothing, accessories, and footwear.
In July 2013, the Jenner sisters partnered with Pascal Mouawad’s Glamhouse to create Kendall & Kylie’s Metal Haven jewelry collection. In February 2014, the Jenner sisters launched Steve Madden’s Madden Girl line of shoes and handbags for Nordstrom. Kendall Jenner has collaborated with various brands and companies for endorsements and partnerships, including Calvin Klein, Estée Lauder, Adidas, and Pepsi.
Her business aspirations became prevalent when she was also associated with the skincare brand Proactiv and publicly discussed her acne struggles as part of her partnership with the company. In September 2015, the Jenner and Kardashian sisters each partnered with Whalerock Industries to launch paid subscription mobile app websites. Jenner’s website was nominated for a 2016 International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences (Webby Award) in the same year. The Jenner sisters have partnered with Glu Mobile to develop Kim Kardashian’s spin-off app, Hollywood; The Kendall and Kylie app was launched on February 17, 2016.
Jenner has partnered with Moon, an oral care brand with the creator Shaun Neff of Neff Headwear. Jenner helped create her product, the Kendall Jenner Teeth Whitening Pen, in April 2019. In October 2020, she launched a stain-resistant toothpaste in collaboration with Moon and the designer Heron Preston on the orange limited edition anti-stain toothpaste, with only 350 units available on the online marketplace StockX. This partnership also marks StockX’s beauty and personal care space debut.
Further, Kendall’s business plans were wider than self-care cosmetics. Kendall Jenner’s tequila company, 818 Tequila, came into operation in 2021. The company is named after Kendall’s zip code for Calabasas, in Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley. When it launched in the United States, it sold out in its first year, with more than 130,000 boxes sold.
Kendall Jenner’s Controversies
Like many public figures, Kendall Jenner has faced her fair share of controversies. Jenner was sued in August 2021 for $1.8 million by Liu Jo, an Italian fashion company, for allegedly violating her contract. The lawsuit claims that Jenner caused “huge expenses” for the company by doing just one of two photo shoots for which she received $1.35 million out of a total of $1.5 million, in addition to the 20% service fees offered.
Another controversy sparked when Kendall Jenner appeared in a Pepsi commercial, widely criticized for trivializing and co-opting the Black Lives Matter movement and other social justice protests. Many people felt the ad was tone-deaf and insensitive.
The recent one came when, in early 2020, while the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Kendall Jenner faced backlash for throwing a birthday party with many guests while people were encouraged to practice social distancing and avoid gatherings.
Conclusion
Kendall Jenner is often regarded as a fashion icon for her unique style and influence on fashion trends. She left a mark on the covers of major fashion magazines, worked with renowned designers, and has a significant presence on different digital platforms, where she often shares her fashion choices and collaborations. There may be drama over the top, which is inevitable as she claims fame. Still, her ability to set trends and push boundaries has solidified her status in fashion, and her impact extends far beyond the runway.