Since first stepping on the runway in late 2017, Kaia Gerber has emerged as one of Gen Z’s foremost Insta-models. In her very first season, the super-to-be took fashion week by storm, racking up an impressive selection of shows, including Chanel, Versace and Saint Laurent. The following year, she covered three issues of Vogue. While it doesn’t hurt that her mom is the Cindy Crawford, it’s undeniable that Kaia has the ‘it’ factor. And the fashion industry — and the internet — has taken notice.
In recent years, the future-super has become a fashion icon in her own right. Her signature leather-blazered, straight-denimed looks have become bona fide Pinterest staples; her devotion to Chuck Taylors has, without a doubt, inspired fellow Gen Zer’s to readopt the vintage style; and her decidedly 70s-inspired red carpet aesthetic has landed her on many a best-dressed list. At such a young age, the supermodel has carved out her own singular personal style: an effortless modern-classic look informed by 90s supermodels as much as Studio 54-era Bianca Jagger. Here, we look back at Kaia’s career to chart the evolution of the model’s style, from 2017 to today.
At a Tommy Hilfiger show, 2017
Hailing from Los Angeles, it’s no surprise that Kaia’s a true blue jeans-and-t-shirt girl. The model-to-be had been wearing the look — usually with a pair of Nikes! — long before stepping onto the runways of New York and Paris. Here, attending a Tommy Hilfiger fashion show just as her catwalk career was about to take off, Kaia elevates her favourite look with a cropped biker jacket, chain belt and a pair of ankle boots.
At a Haper’s Bazaar party, 2017
In 2017, Kaia had a thing for the LGD — that’s the little glitzy dress. At the time, she was set to launch her runway career and we can’t help but think these looks were inspired by the supermodels of decades past: Naomi, Kate, and Linda all in glittering Versace. Here, Kaia makes the look her own in a slinky silver number with matching megawatt heels.
Leaving a fitting, 2017
Kaia launched her runway career in September 2017 with an immaculate blue chip line-up (Fendi, Burberry, Versace, and Saint Laurent, to name a few) and an immaculate model-off-duty look, to boot. The newly-minted style was a Gen Z take on the blog-era classics: skinny leather pants, ankle boots, and tiny biker jackets, all in a palette of black, black, black.
At Paris Fashion Week, 2018
Into her second and third runway seasons, Kaia’s style relaxed into cozier fare. The leather pants remained, but were now paired with comfortable sneakers, graphic sweaters and slouchy beanies — or were swapped out for sweatpants and bike shorts.
At The Fashion Awards, 2018
After three seasons racking up major shows and magazine covers, Kaia was awarded Model of the Year at the 2018 Fashion Awards. She accepted the award wearing an embellished McQueen gown, a grown-up iteration of her early-career LGDs.
Arriving at Milan Fashion Week, 2019
Speaking of grown-up style, Kaia showed up to AW19 fashion week with a more polished style than years prior. The new look was inspired by 90s supers, informed by the cult of Khaite, and portended the 2020s clean girl aesthetic. Think leather blazers, tailored suede coats, straight-leg jeans, herringbone jackets, cashmere knits, and ultra-luxe combat boots. Here, Kaia arrives at Milan Fashion Week in an elevated denim outfit that pays homage to one of her mother’s most iconic looks.
At a Paris Fashion Week event, 2019
Kaia loves her Converse. The timeless sneaker has always been a staple in the model’s street style rotation, however, never were they more so than during the latter half of 2019. Whether walking the streets of NYC or stepping off the runways of Paris, the model was rarely snapped without a pair of Chucks underfoot. During this era, Kaia paired her Converse with a more all-around low-key style. Think less Khaite and more Brandy Melville in ripped denim, trendy tailoring, crop tops, and tiny cardigans.
At the Fashion Awards, 2019
Kaia got a little experimental with her red carpet style at the 2019 Fashion Awards. With the help of mega-stylist Andrew Mukamal, the model stepped out in a show-stopping two-piece by industry-fave Loewe, which included a pearl-pierced bralette and tablecloth skirt.
At the High Fidelity premiere, 2020
Camel was clearly Kaia’s 2020 colour of the year. Before the pandemic hit, the model flew into fashion week and stepped onto the red carpet in a series of tan-toned separates, including chic cape coats, shearling jackets, and suede pants. Around this time, Kaia’s style also became a little bit more playful, incorporating sweet graphics from Marc Jacobs x Magda Archer and prints from KNWLS, worn here.
At home in LA, 2021
Like many of us, Kaia perfected her infit during the pandemic. The model’s lockdown staples included sportswear leggings, oversized sweatshirts, fleece jackets, Ultra Mini Uggs, Birkenstocks, a trusty Hydroflask, and a face mask (in classic black, of course).
Arriving at a Marc Jacobs show, 2021
Stepping into 2021, Kaia’s post-pandemic (if we can call it that) wardrobe was much more idiosyncratic than it had been back in 2019. It was a more lived-in look: the pieces a bit less trendy, the silhouettes a little more ample, the accessories — including a plethora of well-chosen books — a bit more eccentric. Here, arriving to Marc Jacobs’ AW21 show, the model pairs her signature leather blazer with a polka-dotted scarf, bi-tone penny loafers, and a copy of Raymond Carver’s What We Talk About When We Talk About Love.
At the Met Gala, 2021
Kaia was one of the best dressed at 2021’s Met Gala. The model’s modern ballgown was inspired by Bianca Jagger’s 1981 Met look, lovingly recreated by Oscar de la Renta. She paired the gown with minimal jewellery and a sleek Omega watch. Chic.
At a gala, 2021
Evidently Bianca Jagger was on Kaia’s 2021 moodboard for more than the Met. Throughout the Fall, the model attended red carpets and galas in a series of slinky, sequinned dresses that wouldn’t have looked out of place on the booths of Studio 54 or the Halston runway.
At the Met gala, 2022
Kaia’s long-time love of all things sequins culminated at the 2022 Met Gala. Rather than 70s soigné, the night’s look was pre-Raphaelite in a gilded Alexander McQueen gown and billowing waves.
At the Elvis premiere, 2022
Sartorially speaking, Kaia’s a girl who knows what she likes, whether that’s a good old pair of Converse or a slinky Bianca Jagger number. Here, at the premiere of Elvis, the model wears the latter, a simple halter gown that speaks to her longtime love of 70s style. Some things never change.
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