If you’ve spent any time on the fashion side of the internet, you know that a "Kylie Jenner era" isn't just a vibe—it’s a data-backed shift in the culture. But nothing quite matches the chaos and high-art energy of the Kylie Jenner V Magazine relationship. Most people think of her as just the queen of the Instagram selfie, but her work with V is where she actually proved she could handle "high fashion" without the Kardashian safety net.
Honestly, it started way back in 2014. She was just seventeen. Most of us were trying to figure out how to use a straightener, and she was posing for Chad Pitman in Armani and Chanel. It was her first solo shoot for the mag. She had this wet-hair look and those signature long black nails that basically birthed a thousand Pinterest boards. But the real moment? The one everyone still talks about? That was the 2017 "super nude" issue.
The 2017 Nick Knight Shoot: More Than Just "Nude"
When the V109 issue dropped in late August 2017, the internet basically broke. Again. People call it her "Brigitte Bardot" moment because of the blonde ambition, but it was way weirder and cooler than a simple tribute.
Photographed by the legendary Nick Knight, this wasn't your typical "sexy" shoot. It was high-concept. She wore these insanely delicate, sheer dresses from Fendi and MSGM. They were basically gossamer. Stylist Anna Trevelyan—who is kind of a genius at picking women who define the zeitgeist—pushed Kylie into this ethereal, almost alien space.
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- The Look: Bleached brows. That’s a bold move even for a seasoned model.
- The Hair: Towering wigs, sometimes reminiscent of Lady Bunny, styled by Martin Cullen.
- The Vibe: Ethereal, translucent, and surprisingly vulnerable.
Kylie actually livestreamed the shoot. Can you imagine the pressure? She told V at the time that she kept thinking, "Everybody is watching me right now." It was a meta-commentary on her entire life. She’s been filmed since she was nine, so being "nude" was just another layer of exposure she was finally ready to control.
Why this specific photoshoot changed her brand
Before this, Kylie was the "makeup girl." She was the one with the Lip Kits and the King Kylie persona. But V Magazine gave her a platform to be a "Body." Not just a physical body, but a piece of art. Nick Knight is known for his SHOWstudio projects that push boundaries, and by choosing Kylie, he validated her as a legitimate fashion muse.
It sort of silenced the critics who said she couldn't do what Kendall does. She wasn't walking the runway, sure. But she was creating imagery that felt more editorial and risky than a standard commercial walk.
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The Evolution: From 2014 Teen to 2024 Powerhouse
If you look at the trajectory, the Kylie Jenner V Magazine archives read like a diary of her fame. In 2014, she was talking about being "obsessed with Instagram" and how she was the last one in her family to get on social media. Fast forward a decade, and she’s not just on the platform; she is the platform.
She’s appeared in the magazine's orbit multiple times, including a 2020 feature and various digital covers. By the time we hit 2024 and 2025, the relationship shifted. She wasn't just a face anymore; she was a business titan. V started covering her as a "multi-hyphenate." We saw her fronting the Miu Miu Fall/Winter 2025 campaign, which the magazine covered extensively.
It's a huge shift from the 17-year-old in the burgundy slip dress. Now, she’s being analyzed for her "K-factor"—that weird, magnetic ability to turn a magazine cover into a $600 million brand move.
What Most People Get Wrong About These Covers
People love to say these shoots are just about vanity. They’re really not. If you look at the credits of a V shoot, you see names like Lisa Eldridge on makeup or Tokyo Stylez on hair. These are the Avengers of the fashion world.
When Kylie does a shoot like this, she’s participating in a legacy. V Magazine has always been about the "Game Changers." By putting her on the cover, they weren't just selling magazines; they were documenting the shift from traditional celebrity to the influencer-entrepreneur era.
"I don't know what it's like to not be in the spotlight. That's normal to me." — Kylie Jenner to V Magazine, 2017.
That quote is kinda heartbreaking if you think about it. It explains why she’s so comfortable in front of a lens, even when there's literally nothing but a sheer Fendi dress between her and the world. It’s her natural habitat.
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The Impact on the Industry
- Digital Traffic: Magazines realized that a Kylie cover meant millions of clicks, not just newsstand sales.
- Aesthetic Shifts: The 2017 shoot popularized the "blonde and bleached" look that dominated Instagram for the next three years.
- Cross-Generational Appeal: It bridged the gap between old-school fashionistas who read V and the Gen Z kids who only follow Kylie’s TikTok.
How to Get the Look (The 2026 Version)
If you’re still obsessed with the "V Magazine" aesthetic, you’ve probably noticed it’s making a comeback. The "Quiet Luxury" thing is fading, and we’re heading back into high-glam, experimental territory.
To channel that specific Nick Knight x Kylie energy, you don't need a $12 million Hidden Hills mansion. You basically need to focus on texture and light. Think sheer fabrics, glittery eyeshadow that reaches the temples (thanks, Lisa Eldridge), and a "wet" hair finish.
Honestly, the best way to keep up with her current fashion evolution is to watch how she handles her brand ambassadors. Her recent work as a Sam Edelman ambassador—which V broke as an exclusive in 2024—shows a more "approachable" side of her style. It’s less "alien goddess" and more "CEO on a weekend."
If you want to dive deeper into her archival looks, start with the V109 issue. It’s a collector's item now. You can usually find it on resale sites, but it'll cost you way more than the original cover price. It’s a piece of pop culture history that proves Kylie was always more than just a reality star; she was always the muse.
Check out her recent campaigns with Miu Miu if you want to see how she's matured into the "reimagined classical" style that's dominating 2026. The girl just doesn't miss when it comes to a camera lens.