Top model Kaia Gerber recently turned 25 and has achieved something that many much older colleagues in the industry have not: she has appeared on the covers of all four editions of Vogue (the so-called Big Four) as the first model born in the 2000s. In 2026, she stars in the series “The Shards” (FX, based on the novel by Bret Easton Ellis), and at premieres in New York, Berlin, and London, she shows up in looks straight out of Hollywood in the ’80s and ’90s. A bit like her mother, Cindy Crawford, but with her own twist.
From January 2026, she will also officially be an investor and creative partner of the Re/Done brand. The first full collection, “Kaia Vol. 1,” is set to debut in September. No longer just the face of the campaign, she now truly has a say in the cut of the pants and the selection of materials. Interestingly, Gerber has publicly embraced the “nepo baby” label (daughter of Cindy and Rande Gerber) instead of distancing herself from it. She says openly: I know where I come from, but what I do next is my own business.
From Versace Kids to the runways
Kai’s career in fashion started earlier than most people remember. In 2011, at just 10 years old, she posed for the Young Versace campaign, photographed by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott. It was a family test of the waters, but the real momentum began in July 2015, when she signed a contract with IMG. At that time, she was still attending Malibu High School, but soon switched to remote learning.
The most important seasons and runways
The runway debut came in February 2017, Calvin Klein under the direction of Raf Simons, NYFW. That same season, she opened the Alexander Wang show (S/S 2017). Then things moved quickly: Chanel, Prada, Saint Laurent, Valentino, Miu Miu, Fendi, Burberry. In 2018, she received the ” Model of the Year” title at the British Fashion Awards and became the first model from the 2000 generation to achieve the “Big Four” of Vogue covers. Her first solo Vogue Paris cover was in February 2018. Earlier, in 2016, she had a joint shoot with Cindy for American Vogue.
Ambassadorships and a new creative role
Around 2019, Kaia moved from IMG to DNA Models (NY) and VIVA (Paris, London, Milan). She became an ambassador for YSL Beauty (2019), and in 2025 the global face of NARS. The Givenchy campaign (Sarah Burton, FW 2025) marked a new chapter. Since January 2026, she has been an investor and creative partner of Re/Done denim brand focused on upcycling. Her initiatives ” Short/Cuts” and the full collection “Kaia Vol. 1” (September 2026) demonstrate a real impact on design, not just posing with the product.
Acting, literature, and the voice of a generation
The screen is, for Kai, a second front in building her identity. She made her modest debut in 2016 in the Lifetime film ” Sister Cities ” as young Carolina, then explored various genres: the series “American Horror Story” (2021, Kendall Carr in “Double Feature”), the comedy “Bottoms” (2023, Brittany, highly rated by Rotten Tomatoes), and Damien Chazelle’s drama “Babylon” (2022). In 2024, she played Jacqueline Carlin in “Saturday Night” and Chloe Benson in “Shell.” Television has given her stability: “Palm Royale” (Apple TV+, Mitzi), the upcoming “Overcompensating” (2025, Esther), and an appearance in “Hacks” (2025). Her most significant project awaits in 2026: the lead role of Susan Reynolds in the FX series “The Shards.”
Library Science
In 2020, Kaia began sharing her reading choices on Instagram, completely spontaneously. This evolved into Library Science (since 2024, in collaboration with Alyssa Reeder), a platform curating niche and translated titles. On the shelf appeared “The Lover” by Marguerite Duras, “The Stranger” by Camus, “The Year of Magical Thinking” by Joan Didion, “Just Kids” by Patti Smith. The goal? To show that a book doesn’t have to be a bestseller to change something in someone’s mind.
Discourse without evasions
She publicly embraced the “nepo baby” label without defensiveness. She speaks openly about her privilege and the choices she had because she could. On September 20, 2026, her brother Presley (27 years old) passed away; the family requested privacy, and the cause of death is unknown. Kaia remains silent in the media and continues to work.
Heritage that becomes empowerment
Kaia Gerber shows how an uncertain start in fashion can be turned into a multifaceted career. The leap into acting was not just an attempt to try her hand at a new field, but a way to build an image independent of her parents’ name . And her role as curator of the YSL collection is a clear signal that agency matters more than prestige or access.
In the world of fashion and entertainment, those who can combine different skills are increasingly coming out on top. Kaia realized early on that a modeling career alone wasn’t enough to build long-term influence. That’s why she didn’t stop at the runway, but took control over how she tells her own story.
It may sound lofty, but it is precisely this attitude that reveals the recipe for lasting presence in a trend-driven industry.
Miami Z
HCF editorial team