The style evolution of Kendall Jenner
There might still be a couple of months left of the year, but we can already conclude that 2014 will forever go down in history as the year of Kendall Jenner (Time Magazine agrees, naming her one of the 25 most influential teens of the year). Now juggling a budding fashion empire and a high profile catwalk career, it’s hard to believe that in less than 18 years Kendall has gone from knee high little darling, destined to forever live in the dazzling shadow of her more famous Kardashian sisters, to global superstar in her own right. But it’s true, she has, and we’ve found the pictures that chart her evolution from young girl, to Kardashian, to Jenner.
Born in to an already famous family, Kendall Jenner learnt how to walk a red carpet long before most children had even learnt how to walk. Often matching little sister Kylie, Kendall epitomised the cutesy, all-American young girl growing up in a Disney era. As the adorable little sister of ultra glamorous, somewhat brash Kim Kardashian, Kendall’s braces and delicate accessories made her appear even sweeter in comparison.
By 2007, aged 11, Kendall was obviously becoming aware of fashion and wanting to take control of it. Wearing what to a tween was seriously cool, Kendall was all about neon, animal prints, and glossy fabrics that shimmered in the light. It’s easy for an older eye to dismiss this stage as the naïve fashion choices of a cotton candy-cute young girl, but her understanding that being in the public eye meant making a conscious effort to look good should not be underestimated.
The effects of living in a house where Kardashians ruled the roost began to show by age 14 when the glossy, long, dark locks and smoky eyes of her older half sisters evidently began to influence Kendall. This was the time during which her style morphed from fun loving teen playing dress up, to classy young lady.
Working with tailored pieces like blazers and blouses, by 15 Kendall Jenner had cemented herself as one to watch in the future of fashion. For a while, she maintained her playful, youthful edge with flirty skater skirts, but at 16 she – and the rest of the world – became aware of her phenomenal figure, and a stream of leg lengthening hot pants and midriff bearing crop tops ensued, along with increasingly excited whispers about her potential as a model.
In 2012 Kendall sat on the front row at NYFW, and her name hasn’t left the invitation lists, or the lips of fashion insiders, since. Now attending seriously high profile events, Kendall developed a sensational signature style that was all about red lips, dewy skin and serious sparkle. With a new sophisticated taste, heavily made up face and a penchant for selfies, the comparisons between Kendall and Kim Kardashian flooded in.
Whilst on the red carpet Kendall’s motto was definitely the shorter and tighter the better, her off-duty style remained very laid back and throw-on cool. Although almost always showcasing her figure in a tight trouser, Kendall is a fan of keeping things simple and monochrome, often pairing a simple white tee with skinny jeans and keeping accessories to a minimum.
Having now become a bonafide fashion superstar after stints on some of the world’s hottest catwalks, the girlier glamour of the Kardashians has been superseded by an edgier kind of glamour. No longer influenced by her sisters’ style, this year has seen the rise of Jenner-style glamour…
Walking for Marc Jacobs in a nipple exposing sheer top earlier this year seemingly sparked something for Kendall, as since then she’s not been afraid to take fashion risks. Pulling off an oversized nose ring and a double thigh split dress? All in a day’s work for Kendall Jenner.
