Say what you will about Kendall Jenner, she is the It Girl of the moment and no one can take that away from her. In fact, to say that she is just the It Girl of the moment would be an understatement. As of November 2017, she has officially stolen the crown from Gisele Bündchen as the highest-paid model of all time in Forbes after banking an estimated net worth of $22 million this year. Other top ten models who made it on this list were Hadid sisters Gigi and Bella, body-activist Ashley Graham and model-veteran Karlie Kloss. During September's New York Fashion Week, she stormed the runway kicking a$$ and taking names walking in shows for Tom Ford, Alexander Wang, Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors and Marc Jacobs.
Sure she has that famous last name and is associated with her Kardashian sisters, but she would still kill it even if she wasn't famous. Granted, she probably wouldn't be a household name, but she would still make a good six-figures at least if she was a non-famous model give or take. Her controversies with her failed Pepsi ad and her brand Kendall and Kylie featuring T-shirts featuring rappers without copyrights just add more fuel to her fire. Love her or hate her, here are 22 pics that prove that Kendall Jenner is a force to be reckoned with whether we like it or not.
22 The Most Searched Image on Instagram
As of now, Kendall Jenner has over 85 million followers on Instagram, which twice as many as Cara Delevingne, who holds the #2 spot on the list for the Top 10 Most Followed Models on Instagram (others on the list include Gigi Hadid, Emily Ratajkowski, Chrissy Teigen, etc.) Here we have the most liked photo on Instagram of Kendall chilling on a pretty carpet with hearts in her hair. She is wearing an ethereal white lace dress and an elegant choker. This pic definitely gives off a Gothic vibe as she looks like a beautiful corpse that is about to get moved into her coffin.
Kendall Jenner first took the top spot by beating sister Kim Kardashian's 2014 wedding photo (we wonder how Kim feels about that). Later, she was knocked off the number one spot on Instagram by Justin Bieber posting a pic of him and his old girlfriend, Selena Gomez. *Sigh* You just can't win them all, can you?
21 Red Lip Selfie: Always an Instagram Classic
Kendall's dark features and light skin make a sharp contrast and give her a striking look when you see her in photos. Ladies with these type of complexions like Miss Jenner's look especially stunning in red (red lipstick that is in this case). Red lips is such a classic and timeless look and we have seen Taylor Swift try to pull it off but she pales in comparison to Kendall Jenner. Sorry TSwift, but that signature look of yours is going to have to be second best compared to the likes of the highest paid supermodel. Not to mention, this is just an Instagram photo that she took of herself. Who would ever guess that a selfie would look even better than a professional photoshoot? Only if you are Kendall Jenner (and of course, the thousands of other "Instagram models" in the world).
20 Lady in Red or Señorita with a Rose? Both.
A rose is a rose, for a rose...remind me again if that is how it goes? Again we see her rocking the red like nobody's business, that has got to be her signature color. Seeing as though she is half-Armenian, she has an exotic look that separates her from some of the other models. From some angles, she looks Middle Eastern and in other shots, she looks like a straight up white girl. In this particular photo, she looks Spanish with a fierce look in her eyes that pierces through the camera (well, camera of a smart phone). In a marbled wall in the background with gold frames, we would expect nothing less than a classy event for Kendall Jenner. We bet that most young teenage boys are envious of that rose right about now.
19 Looking Dapper in a Trench Coat for Vogue Germany
If nothing screams German style like slicked back hair and a trench coat, the we don't know what does. Here, Kendall Jenner showed us her edgier side in the October 2016 issue of Vogue Germany with all of her blackish-brown hair slicked back and sultry makeup. Her dark mauve lips and copper shadow make her pop against the muted and black colors of the jacket and boots. With a more editorial vibe, the photographers responsible for capturing this Matrix-esque style is Luigi and Iango. This was her 8th time gracing an editorial in Vogue and this magazine seems to love her as they keep booking her around the world. She shows a little bit of skin but not too much skin as she is subtly hinting that there is no top underneath her jacket.
18 Balmain Spring 2016 Collection at Paris Fashion Week
Here, we see Kendall Jenner looking totally out of this world in terrestrial form from the dress right down to her her hair. We know the the whole tie-your-hair-in-a-minimalist-bun thing is in, but this one is pulled so tight that it looks like it is sitting at the top of her head. Or, wait. It's a half-bun, half-ponytail...very clever whoever this hair stylist was. So this was just last year for Paris Fashion Week in the Balmain x H&M campaign, and Kendall landed a coveted spot in the line-up twice. She revealed glimpses of skin in a white cut-out crisscross bodysuit with a beaded latticework skirt. To top it all off, she wore a fringed choker that looked like it was sewed onto the outfit and sky-high taupe heels. Who would have known that minimal makeup and slicked back hair could pop so much on the runway?
17 The First Reality Star to Grace the Victoria's Secret Catwalk
Since models like Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid have built their careers off of their Instagram pages, many people doubt the validity of their top-model status. Rumor has it that there were many whispers backstage at the 2016 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show with catty gossip that Kendall Jenner is just "not a real model" since she got her fame from her famous family.
Adriana Lima came to her defense and just wasn't having any of it. "I have worked with Kendall on runways before when we were in Europe, like Versace and also with Victoria's Secret," she said. "Kendall is very sweet and very nice, and it's always pleasant to work with someone like that." Adriana also added: "I think that that in these days, the fashion industry has changed. Everything is not only just about beauty," she said on Watch What Happens Live before adding: "In my opinion, those two girls are gorgeous. But you have to have character." Looks like the haters are not going to win this time around.
16 Only Kendall Jenner Can Make Overalls Look Cool, but Calvin Klein Does Not Approve
Unfortunately, Calvin Klein does not share Adriana Lima's sentiments when it comes to Kendall Jenner's fame. It has been 13 years since he sold his company so that means that he loses say in which models he picks for the brands. The new #MyCalvins jeans campaign is heavily inspired by iconic images from the '90s. On the fact that anyone can be an Instagram model, he said in an interview with Fashionista, he said: "Now, models are paid for how many followers they have. They're booked not because they represent the essence of the designer, which is what I tried to do — they're booked because of how many followers they have online. I don't think that, long-term, is going to work. I don't think that's a great formula for success for the product you're trying to sell." It seems his views may or may not be outdated since the numbers of sales speak for themselves.
15 Allure is Ready For Her Closeup
After nabbing the October 2016 cover of Allure, this should hardly even be news since Kendall Jenner NOT being on the cover of a magazine is shocking news. In any case, we are not used to seeing her with relaxed, long tousled hair like we see her. Maybe she had that hair before, but now it is shorter and more blunt. In this shot, she wore a silky multi-colored, embroidered dress by Chloe.
In her interview here, she revealed her social media etiquette which may actually shock you considering her 85+ million followers: "I find it offensive if you're with someone at a dinner and they're just sitting on their phone the whole time," she tells Allure. "I take that personally. Like, am I not interesting enough for you to talk to me? It's so crazy because even though we talk about trying to be present, everyone wants to be in the future now." She even admitted to deleting Instagram, Twitter or Snapchat off of her phone for a few days at a time.
14 Wannabe Ballerina for Vogue Spain
This is a photo shoot that sparked a lot of controversy in the ballet community. In the September 2016 issue of Vogue Spain, Kendall Jenner posed in a ballet-themed shoot and received much outrage from the world of ballet. Ballerinas around the world just simply couldn't understand why Vogue Spain couldn't have chosen a real ballerina to be used in the shoot. Because of their strict training regimens, they didn't think that it was respectful to put someone who knows nothing about ballet in a ballet-themed shoot. Kendall spoke out in self-defense in a blog post on her app: "With my Vogue Spain shoot, I didn't even know I was going to be a ballerina until I went into hair and makeup. It confuses me how people can get that upset when there are so many important things going on in the world. But, it's obviously not going to stop me from working hard and being me"
13 Vogue Spain Parte Dos: Those Legs Are Too Skinny to be Ballerina Legs
Sorry, ballerinas but you are a tiny percent of the audience that Vogue Spain was marketing for. The name Kendall Jenner means big money for big brands and it would be illogical not to put her in a campaign. However, those legs for days are super thin and tiny. Maybe if she did some squats or actually practiced ballet, we would see some calfs and more well toned thighs. She definitely has the body and build of a runway model, but not that of a ballerina. Ballerinas tend to be thin, but their legs and lower body are cut AF. Oh well, only real ballerinas would actually know that but the rest of the world just stares on in awe at the likes of Kendall Jenner all dressed up as a ballerina. Haters gonna hate.
12 Sister, Sister: Kendall and Kylie Representing PacSun
Being the born and raised Cali girls that they are with their famous last names, Kendall and Kylie have turned into Kendall & Kylie, the brand that has taken PacSun and the teen girl world by storm. These fashion choices are relatively cheap and affordable for kids who want to spend their fast-food paychecks and look like the girls that they see on the TV screens. It is almost like these two are the second coming of the Hilton sisters except brunette and a little less obnoxious. Here, they are looking like cleaned up high school girls (which is of course the audience that they are catering to). Now that Kylie Jenner is pregnant, it looks like Kendall Jenner will have the lion's share when it comes to the prestige and spotlight since she doesn't have to worry about being a mom.
11 Diane Von Furstenberg Spring 2016 Collection at New York Fashion Week
Diane von Furstenberg has always been able to marry classy with retro chic all at the same time. In her Spring 2016 show at New York Fashion Week, Kendall Jenner, Gigi Hadid, Bella Hadid, Karlie Kloss, Lily Aldridge, Irina Shayk and Jordan Dunn were all storming her runway. Diane von Furstenberg only chooses the best of the best. Many of the models were wearing her signature wrap dress while others like Kendall were sporting ethereal rompers and flowing patterns. You can definitely tell that it was spring season with the flowers in Kendall's hair and her fresh green eyeshadow. The sheer white and gold rims of the fabric make her entire face and body pop without overdoing it. The retro waves are a classic and make us wish that we grew up in a different time.
10 Vogue Japan: Military General Meets Grown Up Girl Scout?
So how to you say Instagirl in Japanese? Vogue Japan posted these pics all over their Instagram with our girl rocking Wednesday Adams braids, deep burgundy lips and a Balenciaga jacket. Kendall Jenner continues to just be on a roll when it comes to nabbing magazine covers from around the world. We can only imagine that her sisters are both happy for her and jealous of her all at the same time. Kendall Jenner always looks avante-garde no matter how weird her outfits get. That is when you know you have made it as model. When you can don the pilgrim-meets-girl scout-meets-Marilyn Manson look (Japanese fashion does tend to get a little weird and eccentric), and still look chic AF then that is when you know when you have made it to stardom. We certainly couldn't see Kim Kardashian wearing something like this without people shaking their heads and rolling their eyes.
9 Blue Bombshell Swimsuit: Representing Kate Moss's Topshop
So it is true that the brand Kendall & Kylie have teamed up with Kate Moss's Topshop to showcase their exclusive swimsuit collection. The pictures of Kylie are also smoldering in their own right as Kylie has a more voluptuous body while Kendall Jenner sports a more svelte figure. Being raised in California their whole lives, these two sisters wanted to really capture the LA summer vibe but put their own special twist on it. The swimsuits are labeled as Kendall & Kylie on the straps so that you can never forget who started them. Their collection definitely experiments with bold colors mixed with black and they are not afraid to play around with cut outs that really show off their figures. They exemplify that both skinny and curvy girls can rock a swimsuit and look equally sexy.
8 The Brand That Ended Her Contract with Victoria's Secret: La Perla
It was announced in late August that Kendall Jenner could unfortunately no longer be part of the Victoria's Secret brand due to her contract with competitor La Perla. Kendall has strutted down the runway of the annual Victoria's Secret Fashion Show but she has never appeared in the catalogues or website. Well, it turns out that La Perla was more interested in making her the face of their brand for a multimillion dollar contract so this luxury brand will definitely take priority over Victoria's Secret. Kendall's contract included a "non-compete clause" barring her from representing any other lingerie brand. It looks like being a VS model specifically for just their runway gigs may not be all that it's cracked up to be. It is safe to assume that she must have felt somewhat disappointed but not too disappointed. At the end of the day, everyone has a price.
7 Her Very First Runway Gig: The Sherri Hill Spring 2013 Collection
This was another instance where Kendall had to share the spotlight with Kylie, though she probably didn't mind because putting both of them together creates a powerhouse in that of itself. Instead of going back to school like normal teenagers, the youngest of the Kardashian clan were hitting up New York Fashion Week. This was one of Kendall's very first runway gigs at the age of 16 were she had simple hair and makeup pulled back in a tight bun. They were offered to walk in this show for New York Fashion Week after they made their first appearance on the cover of Teen Vogue the year before. Though Kendall Jenner turned out to be more built for fashion than her curvy younger sister, Kylie...Kylie still had some success in her own right launching her lipstick and hair extension brand. Too bad she is pregnant now.
6 The Porcelain Face of Estee Lauder
This is possibly one of the biggest feats for the young top model. Kendall Jenner officially joined the ranks of Gwyneth Paltrow, Elizabeth Hurley, Paulina Porizkova and Hilary Rhoda and being the face of Estee Lauder. There is a certain classic beauty that you must have in order to be a part of such a prestigious brand. She found out via text message on her 19th birthday backstage runway show in November 2014. She was in a big commercial campaign for the fragrance, Modern Muse Le Rouge where once again, she donned all red in a fiery pantsuit and worked her vivaciousness. Unfortunately, the brand recently decided to discontinue their millennial-targeted Kendall Jenner collection, The Estee Edit but Kendall is opting to start her own beauty brand. Looks like she is taking a lesson or two from her older half-sister, Kim Kardashian.
5 Photographed by Luigi and Iango for Vogue Japan...Again
Again, for the Vogue Japan cover and editorial, Kendall Jenner was the muse for Luigi and Iango so these guys know what they are doing when it comes to capturing their lighting. Just like we mentioned that Japanese fashion gets weird AF, this outfit definitely takes the cake when it comes to bizarre yet strangely captivating aesthetics that could ever be imagined. In this image taken from the editorial, it features Kendall Jenner wearing combat boots, a fireman-style hat (is that what it is?) and a jacket by Yohji Yamamoto. It seems like Vogue Japan was trying to go for a grudgy yet slick military chic look that again, very few girls can pull off. Kendall Jenner is indeed a fashion icon that will teach us how to be edgy.
4 Flapper Girl Without Eyebrows: Givenchy 2014 Fall Collection
Though this show took place a few years ago, it is still probably one of the most memorable. The 2014 Givenchy Fall Collection at Paris Fashion Week happened more so towards the start of Kendall's modeling career where she was just gaining momentum. Though she wasn't exactly an "it-girl" at that time, the 18-year-old was turning heads as she pulled off and edgy, gothic look for Givenchy. This was one of the most coveted shows of the season where she shared the spotlight with other top models like Karen Elson, Mariaclara Boscono and Natasha Poly. The designer by the name of Riccardo Tisci was known to make the model's careers such as Lara Stone, Joan Smalls and Riley Montana. Kendall Jenner was one of the girls that this guy helped make famous (along with her famous family of course).
3 Vogue Germany Part Drei: Little Black Riding Hood
There is just something about that German fashion sense that just seems so dark, sultry and old world all at the same time. With Kendall's piercing dark brown eyes, there is no better choice than her to rock that dark lipstick and all black. The lighting here makes us all forget that she was just a little girl when Keeping Up With the Kardashians premiered. We don't know whether to think if this look terrifies us or pulls us in with a mysterious intrigue. After all, Kendall Jenner's zodiac sign is Scorpio and here she is really rocking that scorpion vibe with the "come hither but I might bite" look on her face. The hood pulled above her head adds even more to the illusion that we wouldn't want to run into her crossing the street, but we can't help but stare at the same time.
2 Making Us Green Eyed With Envy in Vogue Australia
If there is one thing that fashionistas all wish is that we can all be accepted for our quirky fashion choices and not have to be berated for those who opt for plain t-shirts and blue jeans. Kendall Jenner takes us back to '60s mod fashion in a time portal with her Spotify-lime green coat with furry trims on the bottom in the October 2016 issue of Vogue Australia. It is almost as if she just walked off of the set of Austin Powers even though that movie was made when she was still in diapers. This color isn't the jewel tones that we are used to seeing her wearing, but a bright pastel color that very few can pull off. The head to toe Michael Kors jacket and outfit make her look quirky and chic all at the same time. It looks like October 2016 was Kendall Jenner's time to shine as that is the time were she nabbed all those other Vogue covers from around the world.
1 Off-Duty Hippie at 2015 Coachella Music Festival
Sometimes the most flattering shots happen when no one is expecting them to happen. Here, someone captured Kendall Jenner out and about at Coachella, which one of the chicest and priciest music festivals that anyone can possibly attend. Of course, that is nothing that she can't afford because money is object for this girl. In any case, she rocks that sheer long flowing black skirt with the accordion ripples. Not to mention it has two slits up the sides so that is perfect for showing off those famous legs of hers. With an innocent crop top, body jewelry, double buckle waist belt and the golden crown give off some gleam and sparkle to an otherwise mutable black and white look. There is just something about the way the light hits her that makes her magnetic and stunning.
Source: Hello Magazine, InStyle, Vogue, FashionCon, Daily Mail, Harper's Bazaar
About The Author
