“The Scandinavian aesthetic does resonate with me”: Kendall Jenner on her “clean, simple” style and her latest Calvin Klein campaign

One of Kendall Jenner’s New Year's resolutions was to “get outside more” – a self-promise she’s been pretty good at keeping thus far. “I just went skiing recently and have been spending time outdoors,” says Jenner, referencing her extraordinarily well-dressed and well-documented holiday sojourn in Aspen. Lucky for Jenner, her new Calvin Klein campaign was in keeping with her 2024 ambition. Shot by Mert Alas on the streets of New York (hot on the heels of a certain other New York-shot Calvin Klein ad), the spring campaign, which releases today, finds the model basking in the early morning sunshine.

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The campaign finds Jenner roving down empty Manhattan streets wearing slick trench coats, relaxed denim and easy tailoring, all of which releases today, concurrently with the campaign. Arriving to set in her go-to “simple and comfortable” look of jeans and a t-shirt, Jenner spent the day exploring the city with frequent collaborator Alas. “There is nothing like Manhattan in the early morning hours while it is still waking up,” says Jenner of the experience. "It was really fun to shoot at different locations around the city and feel how the energy of the city develops from the morning into the evening.” Downtime on set was spent calling and texting pals. “It’s really important for me to stay connected,” says Jenner. The biggest surprise of the day? “Probably playing in the fountain!” she says.

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Though this is not her first rodeo with Calvin Klein, Jenner still acknowledges the weight of the assignment; a supermodel rite of passage steeped in history. She notes the indelible 1992 Herb Ritts-lensed campaign starring Kate Moss and Mark Wahlberg as an all-time favourite (“Those shots are so iconic and it’s such a sexy campaign,” she says), also giving honourable mention to Christy Turlington’s 1995 campaign (“She is one of my style icons”). Jenner can still recall the “surreal” moment she first saw herself on a Calvin Klein billboard. “It was definitely a ‘pinch-me’ moment, being involved with a brand with some of the most iconic and memorable campaigns,” she says.

Despite Calvin Klein being inextricably American, there’s something a little bit Scandinavian in the soft light of the images, not to mention the no-fuss minimalism. It’s a mood mirrored in Jenner’s own off-duty aesthetic. When I point out the Scandinavian energy in Jenner’s style, she’s psyched. “I love that!” She says. “The Scandinavian aesthetic does resonate with me. I love a clean, simple look with modern touches.”