The following year, Kendall’s career reached new heights when she was named the face of Estée Lauder. This partnership not only underscored her growing influence in the fashion and beauty industries but also highlighted her appeal to a global audience. Her distinctive classical beauty and strong work ethic resonated with both designers and consumers, leading to numerous high-profile campaigns and magazine covers.
Despite her rapid ascent, Kendall faced challenges in establishing herself as a credible model. In interviews, she candidly discussed the misconceptions surrounding her career, emphasizing that her family’s fame did not grant her automatic success in modeling. She highlighted the rigorous efforts she undertook, attending countless castings and traveling extensively across New York City and Europe to secure opportunities. Kendall noted that her association with reality TV sometimes made it more difficult to be taken seriously in the fashion world.
By 2017, Kendall’s perseverance paid off when Forbes named her the highest-paid model in the world, with an estimated annual income of $22 million. This accolade dethroned Gisele Bündchen, who had held the top spot since 2002, and underscored Kendall’s significant impact on the modeling industry. Her collaborations with major brands such as Calvin Klein, Fendi, and Adidas further cemented her position as a leading figure in fashion.
Beyond modeling, Kendall ventured into entrepreneurship, demonstrating her versatility and business acumen. In 2016, she and her sister Kylie launched their own clothing line, “Kendall + Kylie,” featuring trendy and stylish apparel that garnered a loyal following. The brand’s success reflected the sisters’ ability to translate their personal styles into a marketable fashion line.