They’re two of the most in-demand models of the moment, and have stormed countless catwalks in recent weeks.
Yet even Kaia Gerber and Adwoa Aboah were no doubt surprised by the break in convention for Chanel’s Paris Fashion Week show on Tuesday, which saw the models shun their typically towering high heels in favour of going barefoot.
Proving why they are the best in the business, however, the duo still managed to look ethereal as they made their way across the sand-covered floor of The Grand Palais des Champs-Élysées for Karl Lagerfeld’s By The Sea themed show.
Working it: Kaia Gerber and Adwoa Aboah broke convention for Chanel’s Paris Fashion Week show on Tuesday, which saw the models shun their typically towering high heels in favour of going barefoot as they walked the sand-covered catwalk
Model moment: The models still managed to look ethereal as they made their way across the sand-covered floor of The Grand Palais des Champs-Élysées for Karl Lagerfeld’s By The Sea themed show
Looking effortlessly stylish, 17-year-old Kaia donned a boxy white blouse with a starched collar and motif detailing across the pockets. The cropped garment rested above a Chanel belt which was attached to tailored cropped black trousers.
The daughter of supermodel Cindy Crawford finished off the look by styling her glossy raven locks in a half up style that showed off her dazzling diamond drop earrings, whilst she bore a vibrant slick of fuchsia lipstick on her pout.
Maintaining her poise and composure, the up-and-coming supermodel looked unfazed as she made her across the sand with her head held high.
Chic: Looking effortlessly stylish, 17-year-old Kaia donned a boxy white blouse with a starched collar and motif detailing across the pockets. The cropped garment rested above a Chanel belt which was attached to tailored cropped black trousers
Working it! The models were seen storming the sand and water covered runway, whilst guests had been advised to go wear flat shoes for the presentation so that they wouldn’t struggle to make it to their seats
All together now: The models seemed to be in high spirits as they stepped out hand in hand to close the show, with some even daring to dip their feet in the water as they made a final lap of the catwalk
It came as no surprise to see Karl Lagerfeld picked Kaia to walk the runway for the third time under his watch, as the duo recently collaborated on a clothing collection together.
Kaia’s collaboration with Karlwas first announced at the start of this year, with Pier Paolo Righi, chief executive officer of Karl Lagerfeld, said the brand is excited by the venture.
In a statement, Pier said: ‘When Karl first told us his idea to collaborate with Kaia, we were all excited by the incredible potential and power of bringing their two worlds together.
‘We have been working intensely over the last months with Kaia in LA and at our studio in Paris. It was exciting to see her clear vision, passion and engagement, and the collection will definitely inspire many young women.’
Since making her runway debut back in September 2017 for Calvin Klein when she was just 16, Kaia has since walked for various brands including the likes of Stella McCartney, Valentino and Moschino.
Discussing how she juggles life as a student and international model, Kaia told Harper’s Bazaar in January: ‘I usually use the afternoon to catch up on homework.
‘I’m completing my diploma at Malibu High through an online program, and it’s difficult to get much done during the week, as the Wi-Fi on planes is really annoying.
‘My favourite class this year is AP Calculus because I just like math. It’s definitely super hard to teach yourself derivatives, though!’
Meanwhile, Adwoa Aboah has become the darling of the fashion world since she was chosen to grace the cover of Edward Enniful’s first edition of British Vogue in December, dubbed New Vogue.
Despite her picture-perfect confidence, Adwoa confessed she previously struggled with ‘trying to be someone else’ before she embraced her individuality.
She told VOGUE in April: ‘I was unsure of myself, and lost, a young girl who had no idea who she was. I spent hours flattening and straightening it until one day, when I moved to Lose Angeles after treatment, I just shaved it all off.
‘I was just so bored of the continuous struggle of trying to be someone else.’
Yet despite her concerns, Adwoa oozed confidence on the Chanel runway as she stepped out in a plunging black blazer with matching cropped trousers.
The 26-year-old model also donned two cross body bags worn slung over either shoulder whilst she carried a pair of black flip flops in her hand.
Her look was finished off by a slick of hot pink lipstick that lined her enviably plump pout.
Overseeing the presentation was Chanel’s head creative director Karl Lagerfeld, who recently caused controversy with his comments about the #MeToo movement.
He sent shockwaves earlier this year when he revealed that he is ‘fed up’ with models and actresses speaking up about the sexual harassment they have faced over the years.
In an interview with French magazine Numéro, the designer suggested that models should know what they are getting into, while defending former Interview magazine creative director Karl Templer, who has been accused of ‘aggressively’ pulling down models’ underwear without asking them.
‘If you don’t want someone pulling down your panties, don’t become a model,’ he said. ‘Join a nunnery, there’ll always be a place for you in the convent. They’re recruiting even!’ he said.
He added: ‘I read somewhere that now, you have to ask models whether they feel comfortable when they are posing,’ he said. ‘That’s opening the door to anything. From then on, as a creator, you don’t do anything anymore.’
The designer said he didn’t believe a ‘single word’ of the accusations against Templer, noting that ‘a girl is complaining that he pulled on her panties and he gets excommunicated from an industry that, until then, worshiped him.’
Fashion photographers Mario Testino and Bruce Weber have also been accused of sexual misconduct this year, while Kate Upton called out Guess founder Paul Marciano for ‘sexually and emotionally harassing women.’
But Karl has taken issue with the fact that that many of the women are sharing their stories of sexual harassment decades after it happened.