Watch Kendall Jenner's best runway walks from top fashion houses. Visit wirerave.com for her full modeling journey and exclusive insights.
Watch Kendall Jenner's best runway walks from top fashion houses. Visit wirerave.com for her full modeling journey and exclusive insights.
Kendall Jenner's Journey into the Fashion Industry
Kendall Nicole Jenner, born on November 3, 1995, in Los Angeles, California, emerged as a prominent figure in the fashion world thanks to her unique blend of beauty, charisma, and business acumen. She is the daughter of Caitlyn Jenner (formerly Bruce Jenner), an Olympic gold medalist, and Kris Jenner, a well-known television personality and businesswoman. Kendall grew up in a high-profile family that gained international fame through the reality TV show Keeping Up with the Kardashians, which aired in 2007. Her half-sisters—Kourtney, Kim, and Khloé Kardashian—were already household names, and her younger sister Kylie Jenner would later become a beauty mogul.
Despite growing up in the spotlight, Kendall carved her own path, choosing the world of high fashion over reality TV stardom. From a young age, she expressed interest in modeling, and by the age of 14, she signed with Wilhelmina Models, marking the beginning of her professional career. Her first major modeling gig was a campaign for Forever 21, which led to a series of commercial modeling roles.
Kendall's big break in high fashion came in 2014 when she walked the runway for Marc Jacobs at New York Fashion Week. Her bold transformation for the show—complete with bleached eyebrows and a sheer top—made headlines and marked her transition from commercial to high fashion. This pivotal moment was quickly followed by runway appearances for major fashion houses including Chanel, Givenchy, Balmain, and Dolce & Gabbana. Her versatility on the runway and ability to adapt to various designer aesthetics set her apart.
In 2015, Kendall was named the new face of Estée Lauder, solidifying her place in the upper echelons of the modeling industry. She graced the covers of top magazines such as Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, and Elle, often working with renowned photographers and stylists. As her modeling career soared, Kendall also became a regular feature in fashion campaigns, collaborating with brands like Calvin Klein, Versace, and Adidas.
What truly sets Kendall apart is her ability to straddle the worlds of high fashion and social media. With over 200 million followers on Instagram, she uses her platform to promote campaigns and offer fans behind-the-scenes access to her fashion life. This dual presence—both on the runway and online—has made her an ideal brand ambassador for modern luxury labels aiming to reach a younger, digitally savvy audience.
Kendall Jenner has been a prominent figure in several SKIMS campaigns, the shapewear and clothing brand co-founded by her sister Kim Kardashian. Her collaborations with SKIMS have spanned various collections, highlighting both her modeling prowess and the brand's diverse offerings.
In February 2021, Kendall starred in SKIMS' Valentine's Day capsule collection alongside her sisters Kim and Kylie Jenner. The campaign featured the trio modeling coordinated lingerie sets in a series of striking images that garnered significant attention on social media.
In July 2024, Kendall showcased her support for Team USA during the Paris Olympics by modeling a patriotic bikini from SKIMS. The white two-piece, trimmed with navy blue and featuring "Team USA" embroidery along with the Olympic rings, was part of SKIMS' official sponsorship collection for the games. Kendall shared images of herself in the ensemble on Instagram, pairing the look with a red baseball cap to complete the red, white, and blue theme.
These collaborations underscore Kendall Jenner's integral role in promoting SKIMS' diverse product lines, from intimate apparel to athletic-inspired collections.
Kendall first rose to fame as part of Keeping Up with the Kardashians (KUWTK), which debuted in 2007. She was just 11 years old when the show began. While she was featured throughout the series, Kendall often kept a lower profile compared to her sisters, especially as she grew older.
Over time, she shifted her focus to building a high-fashion modeling career and gradually reduced her on-screen presence. Unlike some of her siblings, Kendall has always been more reserved and private, even while growing up in the public eye.
After KUWTK ended in 2021, the family launched a new reality series called The Kardashians on Hulu in 2022. The show continues to chronicle the family's personal and business lives, but with a more cinematic and documentary-style approach.
Kendall appears on The Kardashians, though not as frequently as her sisters. When she does appear, it's often related to important family moments or personal projects—such as collaborations with Kylie or promoting her tequila brand, 818.
In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Kendall revealed that she often doesn’t feel like a "Kardashian" and more like a "Jenner." She has expressed that life in the spotlight isn’t something she would have chosen on her own. Despite that, she participates in the family's shows in a limited capacity and on her own terms.
Kendall has successfully built a global modeling career, walking runways for brands like Chanel, Versace, and Balmain, while still occasionally engaging in the family’s TV presence. She maintains a careful balance between fame and privacy, choosing when and how to share parts of her life.
By the late 2010s, Kendall had earned a place on Forbes' list of the highest-paid models in the world, topping the list multiple times. Her professionalism, clean aesthetic, and adaptable image have made her a favorite among designers and brands looking for both elegance and influence. In 2018, she officially claimed the title of the world's highest-paid model, earning an estimated $22.5 million that year alone, according to Forbes. Her success was not just based on runway appearances but also on brand partnerships, endorsements, and social media influence, setting a new standard for modern modeling careers.
As of today, Kendall Jenner continues to dominate the fashion world while also branching into business and creative projects. From her beginnings as a teenager on reality TV to becoming one of the most sought-after models globally, Kendall's journey is a testament to ambition, resilience, and reinvention.
Her story illustrates how someone born into fame can use that platform to build a respected career in an industry as competitive and elite as fashion.