Marc Jacobs Proves Kendall Jenner Is Indeed a Supermodel in His Latest Ad

Marc Jacobs is known for campaigns that take a stand on contemporary issues. His Spring 2016 spread was inspired by the same-sex marriage ruling, his recent collaboration with Miley Cyrus and Marilyn Minter funneled funding into Planned Parenthood and his Fall 2016 ad campaign celebrates the strength of the LGBTQ community and “is a reminder to question and challenge normal and to continue exploring and pushing boundaries.”

 

COURTNEY, R(evolution) With my abundance of respect for Courtney Love’s musical contributions to grunge/rock culture and her status as this sort of, Grunge Goddess, it was her mesmerizing and extraordinarily moving portrayal of Althea in the film, The People vs Larry Flynt that simultaneously broke my heart and won my love. While I hadn’t yet met Courtney during my time as Creative Director at Perry Ellis, it was her then style that had a great influence on that now infamous “grunge collection” show in 1992. Courtney and I (and a then 2 or 3 year old Frances Bean) first met at dinner with Anna Sui in 1994 at Bar Six in NYC. I remember being quite taken by her deep, thorough knowledge of and voracious appetite for fashion and music. There has always been a genuine allure about Courtney that I continue to admire. The way she’d scream her lyrics from that gash of a red mouth to the hard rocking, wailing sounds of Hole. She was then and remains now, for me, the ultimate divine mess in a dress. Gone but no where near forgotten is the girl-woman Goddess of Grunge in her too small tattered dresses, the little girl barrette in her messy, scattered hair and beaten up brocade 1960’s evening shoes. It’s a long distance from the now iconic kinder-whore Courtney photographed by Juergen Teller for I-D magazine in 1994 to the movie star glamour of the powerfully aloof and infinitely present Courtney, photographed here by David Sims for our Fall ’16 campaign.

A photo posted by Marc Jacobs (@themarcjacobs) on

Yesterday, the star-studded, gothic portrait series, which aptly features icons like Marilyn Manson, Courtney Love and Genesis P-Orridge, added the likes of Kendall Jenner to its ranks. The Keeping Up With the Kardashians star turned fashion favorite is virtually unrecognizable with bleached eyebrows, towering platform boots, teased hair and dark, smoky eye makeup. (Perhaps this is the getup she should’ve worn on her Hollywood Tours escapade?) Photographer David Sims masterfully captured this new side of Kendall who, unlike the aforementioned subculture legends, likely had to delve deep within herself to unleash her inner vampire.

Jacobs’ eerie fall showing not only allowed him to address the weighty events in Orlando but also to comment on a bit of petty gossip floating around the Internet. Jacobs captioned Kendall’s photo as follows:

“KENDALL, Supermodel. I will always remember the first time I met Kendall during castings for our Fall 2014 fashion show. Katie Grand invited her to come by the studio for a brief introduction before she was photographed for the model boards. At the time, I knew very little about Kendall…As history now has it, her very first fashion show was for Marc Jacobs Fall 2014. Kendall has since been a part of every show along with being featured in our Spring ’15 ad campaign (also shot by David Sims). It goes without saying that Kendall has gone on to establish an incredible career for herself and every bit of it is a testament to her hard work, passion and desire.

During castings for Fall ‘16, due to the enormous height of the boots we designed, we had to make certain that each girl was able to walk (and walk safely). Kendall slid those boots on and walked around the studio as if she was in a pair of running shoes: statuesque, confident and just as enthusiastic and excited to be doing the show as if it was her first one.

For me, it is the ability of a model to effortlessly transform into a look and character that makes her so appealing and inspiring. Photographed by David Sims for our Fall ’16 ad as a Goth Goddess is the sweet, kind and ultimate professional, Kendall Jenner.”

The designer’s pointed use of the label “supermodel” and mention of her tireless work ethic, lovely demeanor and incomparable professionalism harkens back to 90s sensation Stephanie Seymour’s recent assertion that Kendall and her bestie Gigi Hadid are nothing but “bitches of the moment” — a comment she later rescinded, claiming it was said in jest and directed at no girl in particular.

Not that Jacobs really needed to lend his voice to this one. Kendall’s incredible transformation is evidence enough of her supermodel status. (Or is she just hiding underneath all those trappings? Sound off in the comments below.)

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