The ‘kidwalk’ nepo babies taking over the catwalk & why they’re causing even MORE controversy than their famous parents
THEY say it’s not what you know, but who you know.
And when it comes to the world of fashion it’s never been more vital for rising stars.
For wannabe models, hearing tales of models like Jourdan Dunn being scouted by a top modelling agency in her local Primark or Kate Moss being discovered at an airport is a mere dream.
A chance that their leggy teenager selves could be plucked from obscurity and thrust into the glittering fashion world.
But those young hopefuls will never get a look in as nepo babies have swept the industry.
At this week’s Couture Fashion Week in Paris attention has been pulled away from intricate, one of a kind pieces that take months to create by hand and the focus has been on the nepo children of A-List celebrities.
The fashion industry and its loyal followers have been enraged this week with the arrival of models and front row guests of elitist off spring, spotted at prestigious fashion shows like Chanel, Saint Laurent and Valentino.
And the handbags are out.
Whilst being a nepo baby model is nothing new, think the likes of nineties supermodel Cindy Crawford daughter Kaia Gerber and Kate Moss’ daughter Lila Moss, this year celebrities spawn has flooded Paris.
Fellow supermodel icon, Heidi Klum, not only has her daughter Leni, 20, controversially modelled alongside her in a lingerie advert brand Intimissmi, which lead people to question: “Which normal mom would pose together with her daughter in lingerie?”
But now the Victoria’s Secret angel has another child taking on the fashion world.
Her son Henry Samuel, 19, whose father is musician Seal, made his catwalk debut this week at the Lena Erziak Haute Couture show.
Draped in all black suiting on lookers swooned at his good looks and modelling skills as he strutted down the runway.
Madonna’s daughter Lourdes Leon grabbed headlines at Saint Laurent for appearing in a black lace body stocking with nothing underneath but her briefs.
The 28-year-old, who goes by the name Lola, tried to keep the winter chill off by draping a black leather trench coat over her mostly-nude body.
Having walked in catwalk shows for Versace and Marine Serre, Lourdes is no stranger to the fashion pack.
But Lourdes isn’t the only of Madonna’s brood to be at fashion week, in September 2024 her oldest son, David Banda, 18, strided down the catwalk at Off-Whites show in New York.
Another big name in showbiz, Kylie Jenner, shocked fashion lovers by managing to bag a front row seat at Chanel’s fashion show this week.
The 27-year-old business mogul, reality star and daughter of Kris Jenner and Caitlyn Jenner, who has also been seen this week dining in Paris with boyfriend Timothee Chalamet, wowed in a signature Chanel tweed two-piece paired with mini bag and cat-eye sunglasses.
Whilst this isn’t her first appearance at Couture Week, following appearances at Schiparelli including that Lion head dress, she is the first of her famous family to sit front row at a Chanel runway show.
Other ‘frow’ goers this week include Tali Lennox, daughter of singer Annie Lenoux.
Plus Ava Phillippe, 25, who is daughter of Hollywood acting royalty Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe.
In September last year Romeo Beckham hit the runway for controversial designer Balenciaga at Paris Fashion Week.
Following in his parents footsteps the 22-year-old took the runway in a bizarre outfit of too-tight polo shirt, low slung baggy jeans and oversized trainers.
Victoria, who famously took to the catwalk for the first time in 2000 at London Fashion Week and David Beckham who is also no stranger to the fashion world with his own clothing ranges at H&M as well as modelling for brands like Armani.
BGT presenter Amanda Holden’s daughter Lexi Hughes, 19, also made her first runway appearance last year.
She wowed London Fashion Week attendees at Vietnamese designer Tran Hung’s show wearing a cream mini dress embellished with large flowers.
Even former Vice President Kamala Harris’s step-daughter, Ella Emhoff, 25, has taken the catwalk numerous times fashion houses Coach and Balenciaga.
Whilst undoubtedly the famous kids have enormous influence and ability to shine a light on brands with armies of millions of loyal followers that brands would be stupid to turn away.
And of course with their inherited good looks and model genes flowing through their veins, they are an easy choice.
However, they haven’t had to work tirelessly for years like their parents or other models trying to make it in the brutal industries.
Most models have to go through castings (and rejection), fittings, starting at the bottom, doing 24-hour days and battling with strict diets and fitness regimes.
No wonder people are up in arms about the over-saturation of nepo babies turning the catwalk into the ‘kidwalk’.
And aside from taking jobs that should go to hard-working models, these celebrity children are taking the shine off the clothes, too.