Model Kendall Jenner has become the face of Stella McCartney’s Winter 2023 campaign, fusing her love for fashion with her lifelong connection to horses.
Captured by photographer Harley Weir, Jenner is presented in striking poses amid the Camargue Salt Flats of France. The wild and free essence of the region’s white ponies, trained by acclaimed horse whisperer Jean-Francois Pignon, lends an ethereal quality to the campaign.
The Winter 2023 collection is inspired by the grace and mystique of horses, representing what the brand described as a “celebration of the timeless healing relationships between humans and horses.” Notably, the McCartney brand emphasized that the line is created from “92% responsible materials,” reflecting a committed stance toward sustainable fashion.
With Jenner at the helm, the campaign exhibits an array of compelling visuals, from her reclining on horseback clad in nothing but printed thigh-high boots to a dramatic silhouette of her lying saddle-free on a horse’s back at dusk.
Shot at director Jean-François Pignon’s estate, Jenner reveled in the unique experience. “Being able to witness and work with Jean-François and his horses was incredible,” she expressed to Vogue, highlighting the intimacy and peacefulness she experienced during the shoot.
A key aspect of the collection’s appeal lies in the material innovation, which includes vegan materials like crocodile-effect fabric, leather derived from grape and apple waste, and accessories crafted from fungi mycelium. These innovations are aligned with McCartney’s mission to provide leather and fur alternatives utilizing natural ingredients rather than plastic. The brand’s press release hailed this as “Stella McCartney’s most responsible winter offering to date.”
Designer Stella McCartney specifically chose Jenner for the campaign, appreciating the model’s background in horse riding. “Kendall has been riding since she was a kid, just like me, and has her own ranch; you can see how at ease she is around these sensitive creatures and them with her,” McCartney noted.
Jenner’s commitment to ethical fashion resonates with McCartney’s values. In a conversation with the publication, Jenner praised McCartney’s visionary approach: “She always looks far ahead into the future and identifies clear goals that we should strive for together.”
The images, combined with the campaign’s message, create a seamless blend of glamour and ethics. One standout photograph features Jenner in a stunning gown, grasping a matching black purse, with a horse striking a pose on its hind legs. Another displays her poised among running horses, dressed in a sharp blazer, red purse, and sculptural heels.
In addition to the visuals, the campaign provides an intriguing look into Jenner’s life outside of modeling. She revealed her alternative career aspirations to Harper’s Bazaar in 2016: “I rode horses for ten years, so I thought I was going to be a professional horseback rider and then a vet.” Her path took her into the world of fashion, modeling for various brands from her sister Kim’s shapewear line Skims to Calvin Klein. Now, the Stella McCartney campaign allows her to merge her dual passions—modeling and horses.
The collection will be available for purchase in boutiques, selected retailers globally, and on stellamccartney.com from August 2023.
