Supermodel Kendall Jenner once said when Kaia Gerber came of age and hit the runway, it was game over. The supermodel and burgeoning actress who hit the spotlight at 10 and made her runway debut at 16, is certainly living up to that claim — among her many accolades she has just been appointed as the face of DKNY's Spring Summer 2024 campaign which celebrates American icons. "Kaia best represents the all-American style which classic DKNY was known for, but with a new energy and spirit," said Trey Laird, former creative director of DKNY in a statement.
Genetically blessed, the look-alike daughter of 90s supermodel Cindy Crawford continues to kill it on the runway, and red carpet, in her off-duty style, and in her love life — she's dating hottie Austin Butler who shot to fame as the star of Elvis and is also in Dune: Part Two. Talk about a genetically blessed duo. Despite all that, Gerber seems to keep it real: Her style favors tried-and-true classics like blazers, hoodies, and trench coats, often paired with combat boots and baseball caps. A subtle reminder that for all her fashion influence and star power Gerber is only 22.
"Kaia has taken over as the next generation of supermodel. She might have inherited her stunning looks from her mother but she's made her modeling career her own. Today's models have more power than we did back in the day, they are not merely coat hangers but powerful voices and role models, " says former model turned wardrobe consultant Beckie Klein who admires Kaia for her smarts, talent, and understated approach to style and fame. "She keeps her private life private and even though she is at the top of her game, she still has a little mystery and intrigue about her. She's a quintessential natural American beauty but also knows the power of experimenting on the red carpet."
Kaia is Emerging As A Bonafide Actress
Beyond the runway and fashion campaigns, Gerber is proving her muscle as an actress and a comedic one at that. She is currently starring alongside Kristen Wiig in Palm Royale, the buzzy Apple TV+ show about high-society Palm Beach housewives in the 60s — Gerber plays Mitzi a manicurist and aspiring model. The model also recently appeared on an SNL episode alongside Wiig playing herself in a pilates-horror-themed skit. The model and multi-hyphenate told Entertainment Tonight about her admiration for Wiig and preparing to play actress Jacqueline Carlin in SNL1975 — an upcoming drama comedy film detailing SNL's origins.
"I've always been a fan of SNL, so I would always in between takes be like, 'Please, tell me all your stories,'" Gerber said. "I've been a fan of Kristen's. I think her work on that show was brilliant, so yeah, I mean she gave me some advice and I'm also just very excited to go back to the '70s."
She's a Top Model Who Has Graced All Four Vogue Covers
The brunette beauty made her debut in the spotlight at age 10 in a Versace campaign and made her runway debut walking for Raf Simons's Calvin Klein at 16. Since then she's been a runway regular for major fashion brands including Chanel, Miu Miu, Marc Jacobs, Alexander McQueen, and Valentino. Gerber was also the first model born in the 2000s to achieve the "big four", landing covers with American Vogue, British Vogue, Vogue Italia, and Vogue France—an impressive feat for a 22-year-old.
Kaia Has Major Fashion Rizz On and Off The Red Carpet
On the red carpet, Kaia opts for classics with a thoroughly modern twist. The sCeline couture gown she wore to the Third Annual Academy Museum Gala last year was a showstopper that made a serious case for polka dot glamour. The stunning strapless custom-made gown featured silver dots and a dramatic skirt giving a timeless yet futuristic take on femininity.
As for her day-to-day style, it too is clean, timeless, and always bang on trend. Just like her mother, Gerber loves denim and centers many of her looks around a great pair of straight-leg jeans that show off her long legs, pairing them with chic crop tops, black blazers, and tees—making her the epitome of casual quiet luxury.
She Has An Optimistic, Yet Self-Aware Outlook on Love
Gerber's been dating Butler since 2021. The stylish celebrity pair are often seen owning the Hollywood "IT" couple tag on the red carpet with their cool Gen Z style, and when holding hands looking smitten with each other on cute dates dressed in jeans and tees.
Kaia gave some wise advice to single friends in a recent video interview with WSJ Style–saying that self-confidence comes first when looking for love."Talk about yourself the way you want someone who is going to love you to talk about you," she said, also noting that "being in love can look different for every person." Wise words for someone who grew up under the harsh glare of Hollywood.
She's an Avid Reader with Style and Smarts
In 2020, Gerber started her own book club, Library Science, through which she curates an assortment of book recommendations and speaks with authors, translators, and musicians about the book of the moment.
In a conversation with singer/songwriter Gracie Abrams, the two recently discussed the Eve Babitz novel, "Sex and Rage." Gerber talked about relating to the "charming and insufferable" protagonist Jacaranda, a young creative navigating bi-coastal life. Despite rumors that she and Butler are engaged and bought a house together in California, Gerber is at the top of her game and in high demand so the LA native is busy splitting her life between Los Angeles and New York. Which, given all those long flights, gives her plenty of time to read.
