Kylie Jenner’s appearance at this season’s Schiaparelli Haute Couture presentation, her face veiled in a René Magritte-inspired mask, was a curious choice. While the collection aimed to resist the allure of clickbait, designer Daniel Roseberry recognized the unique, offline allure of Jenner, a woman with over 398 million Instagram followers. The fact that someone who has never known life without cameras can still be considered an enigma speaks volumes about Jenner’s magnetic presence, a presence that feels almost supernatural.
Ib Kamara, who styled Jenner for the September issue of British Vogue, describes her captivating aura: “She has presence. No matter how many times you’ve seen her face, and no matter the family she was born into, Kylie just draws you in.” Kamara likens Jenner’s siren charm to the women who once inspired Helmut Newton. “She really commands an image,” he says. “There’s a dominance and a strength in how she holds herself in front of the camera, and we wanted to capture that sense of ownership throughout these photos.”
Jenner’s captivating presence shone through in Luis Rodriguez’s photographs. She posed beneath the ornate ceilings of a Los Angeles mansion, her body a canvas for haute couture. She was statuesque in feathered Dolce & Gabbana, demure in pale-pink Prada bows, and shimmering in Paco Rabanne. In a draped Jean Paul Gaultier dress, she was surrounded by her adorable children, a testament to the human side of the icon. “When you meet people like Kylie you understand why they’re successful. They’re collaborative, open-minded and will be willing to do whatever it takes to make a great photo,” Kamara says. “She knows clothing and she respects fashion and she really gives herself to the craft.”
Jenner’s fashion journey has been a testament to her experimental spirit. Her “King Kylie” era established her as a fearless dresser. Over the past year, she has blossomed as a muse for designers like John Galliano, Acne Studios, and Simone Rocha. Her online persona, with its signature come-hither gaze, has redefined seduction in the digital age. Beyond the runway, Jenner displays a unique ability to mix high and low fashion, recontextualizing vintage pieces and pushing boundaries. She demonstrates that the most powerful fashion statements often lie in the unexpected.
This September issue marks a significant milestone: Kamara’s debut as British Vogue’s stylist and Jenner’s first Vogue cover. Despite never having met before, their paths intersect through a shared connection to Virgil Abloh, the late designer who arguably first embraced Jenner in the fashion world. Abloh, who tragically passed in 2021, appointed Kamara as Off-White’s art director six months after his death. Jenner, in turn, wore a wedding dress designed by Abloh to the 2022 Met Gala.
Kamara reflects on Abloh’s foresight: “She commands an entire generation, and she is, to be honest, pop culture. But on the flip-side, she’s also a human. I felt safe within her orbit because she’s confident and secure in who she is.” The veil dropped, Kamara reveals, when Jenner’s children, Stormi and Aire, arrived on set with their grandmother, Kris Jenner. The scene transformed, filled with laughter and love. “It was the most beautiful moment to see. All the kisses, the embraces, and love. Kylie became even more animated, trying to make her kids giggle and smile for the camera. It was so touching to see Kylie let us into their own little universe. It made her feel real.” And Kris? “Oh,” Kamara says, his tone shifting. “Just so, so fab.”
