Kendall Jenner has put a sultry spin on classic New York glamour as she fronts Donna Karan New York's Fall 2026 campaign, while admitting it is the brand's unmistakable sense of 'sexuality' that she loves most.
The 30-year-old model and reality star fronts the fashion house's latest campaign, photographed by Mert Alas across New York City, wearing a series of sophisticated yet striking looks from the new collection.
And while Jenner immediately associates Donna Karan with being 'classic', she also singled out a more provocative quality that has clearly made an impression on her.
'But also there's just like a sexuality to Donna Karan that I love so much,' she says in a behind-the-scenes video.
Her remark sets the tone for a campaign that combines the label's signature sophistication with sensual silhouettes, archive inspired pieces and the unmistakable energy of New York.
Kendall Jenner Embraces Donna Karan's Sensual Style
Jenner showcases a number of looks from the Fall 2026 collection, including a reimagined bodysuit taken from the Donna Karan archives.
The model revealed that the bodysuit was her favourite piece she wore during the shoot, making it one of the standout looks in a campaign built around the relationship between classic fashion and modern femininity.
She also models a draped wool jersey jacket and skirt, alongside a full length sequin dress and other pieces from the new collection.
Rather than simply presenting the clothes against a studio backdrop, the campaign takes Jenner through New York, making the city an integral part of the imagery.
The approach is particularly fitting for a label so closely associated with the city and its women.
The campaign's visual style also draws from Donna Karan's history. According to the brand, it references a late 1980s campaign photographed by Dennis Piel and featuring model Rosemary McGrotha.
That earlier imagery has been reinterpreted for a new generation, with Jenner stepping into the role of the modern Donna Karan woman.
The result is a campaign that feels both nostalgic and contemporary, while keeping the clothes and the woman wearing them firmly at its centre.
A Modern Face for Donna Karan's Next Chapter
Jenner's involvement comes as Donna Karan New York continues to build on its recent revival.
The brand underwent a major relaunch in spring 2024 under the 'In Women We Trust' campaign, which brought together archive elements and contemporary fashion while highlighting the silhouettes and craftsmanship associated with Donna Karan.
The timing also follows the brand's 40th anniversary celebrations in 2025, when a host of high profile models, including Claudia Schiffer and Irina Shayk, appeared in campaigns marking the milestone.
Donna Karan launched her namesake label in 1985 and became famous for her '7 Easy Pieces' concept, which included wardrobe staples such as a bodysuit, tailored jacket, skirt, trousers, cashmere sweater, leather jacket and evening look.
Four decades on, Jenner's campaign shows how those ideas continue to be translated for today's fashion audience.
And her description of the brand may be the clearest indication of what makes the latest collection stand out.
For Jenner, Donna Karan is not simply about timeless tailoring or classic New York dressing. It is also about confidence, femininity and the 'sexuality' she says she loves, qualities that are placed firmly in the spotlight throughout the Fall 2026 campaign.
