Kendall Jenner attributes her modelling breakthrough to her longtime friend Cara Delevingne.
In a cover story with Vogue released on Thursday, 9th May, the 28-year-old, marking a decade in the industry, reflected on the evolution of modelling over the past ten years. When Jenner embarked on her journey, she was already a recognisable figure thanks to her prominent role in the Kardashian-Jenner clan, famed for their reality TV show ‘Keeping Up with the Kardashians’.
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“When I entered the industry, you didn’t really see celebrities-turned-models,” Jenner shared with Vogue. “Cara Delevingne was perhaps the most notable exception, known beyond just modelling. She paved the way for me, and it spiralled into something entirely new.”
She elaborated, “Now, there’s a different energy emerging. Social media influencers are making waves on the runways. It’s fantastic. The landscape is always evolving, and you navigate it day by day. I gauge the vibe. Does it resonate with me? If it does, great. You never know what’s next.”
Jenner’s modelling journey commenced in 2014 at the age of 18 when she strutted down the runway for Marc Jacobs’ fall show in a daring sheer top.
“I was pretty relaxed even with my breasts exposed,” she reminisced in a September 2022 feature of Vogue’s Life in Looks series. “I’m comfortable with nudity, so it didn’t faze me. I was like, ‘Cool — whatever they want.'”
During that time, Jenner had formed close bonds within the industry, with Delevingne being a key figure. In December 2014, both models graced Karl Lagerfeld’s Métiers d’Art show in Salzburg, Austria, showcasing the late Chanel Creative Director’s latest collection.
The duo, documented their experience on Instagram, notably opting out of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show for Lagerfeld’s event.
“Kendall is Karl’s new muse, which is significant because walking the Victoria’s Secret runway has always been Kendall’s aspiration,” a source revealed to PEOPLE at the time. “But she followed her friend Cara’s lead and heeded her advice to collaborate with Karl.”
Jenner and Delevingne’s friendship has endured over the years as they’ve ascended to modelling and entrepreneurial success. They even coined a nickname for themselves, CaKe, blending their initials, and debuted shirts featuring the moniker.
“We came up with it, and it’s our thing now. We refer to each other as CaKe,” Jenner disclosed to Vogue in 2016. While fans speculated it could lead to a fashion collaboration between the pair, Jenner clarified, “Currently, it’s a personal thing.”
– Farheen Ali