High fashion meets heavy criticism. It's a pattern we see constantly with the Kardashians, but when the Kendall Jenner horse photoshoot for Stella McCartney’s Winter 2023 campaign dropped, the internet basically had a collective meltdown. People were shouting about animal safety, while others were just confused why a supermodel was lying naked on a horse in the middle of a salt flat.
But here is the thing: it wasn't just a random "sexy" shoot.
There is actually a lot of history and technical work behind those images that the average scroll-through on Instagram completely misses. If you look past the initial shock value, you find a weirdly specific intersection of lifelong equestrianism and high-stakes environmentalism.
The Stella McCartney Shoot: More Than Just a Pretty Picture
Honestly, the "Horse Power" campaign was a massive deal for Stella McCartney. She’s been a vegan trailblazer in fashion for decades, so she isn't exactly the type to just throw a horse into a shoot for "vibes." She chose Kendall because Kendall is, well, an actual horse girl.
Kendall has been riding since she was about two years old. Her first horse was a neighbor's named Sweet Pea, and she spent her entire childhood begging Kris and Caitlyn for a pony of her own. She eventually got "Megan" on Christmas, and that was it—hooked for life. She even told Vogue that she wanted to be a professional vet or an equestrian long before she ever thought about walking a runway.
The shoot itself took place in the Camargue Salt Flats in the South of France. If you’ve never seen pictures of the Camargue, it’s famous for these stunning, semi-wild white horses.
Who was actually in charge of the animals?
They didn't just grab a random horse from a local stable. Stella brought in Jean-François Pignon, a world-renowned horse whisperer and rescuer. Pignon is famous for his "liberty" work, which basically means he interacts with the horses without bridles, ropes, or physical force.
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When you see that viral shot of Kendall lying on a horse’s back or standing as they gallop around her, those horses aren't being "held" in place. They are responding to Pignon’s body language. It's a high-level discipline that requires an insane amount of trust between the human and the animal.
Why the Internet Went Into a Tailspin
You can’t talk about the Kendall Jenner horse photoshoot without talking about the backlash. It was everywhere.
The biggest point of contention? The "naked" shot.
One specific image featured Kendall wearing nothing but thigh-high boots, lying across a horse’s back. Critics on social media—and even some in the equestrian community—called it "exploitative." The Daily Mail and various horse forums were buzzing with people arguing that the horse couldn't consent to being a prop for a nude supermodel.
On the flip side, PETA actually defended Stella. They pointed out that Stella’s family has a long history of loving and protecting animals. Linda McCartney was a huge horse lover, and Stella has never used leather, fur, or feathers in her entire career.
The 818 Tequila Controversy
This wasn't Kendall's first time getting heat for a horse-related project. Remember the 818 Tequila ad? She was filmed riding through agave fields in Jalisco, Mexico, wearing braided pigtails.
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The internet absolutely roasted her for cultural appropriation, calling the ad "whitewashed" and "tone-deaf." People felt she was cosplaying as a Mexican jimador or farm worker without acknowledging the actual culture behind the spirit. It was a PR disaster, and she ended up disabling her Instagram comments.
The "Horse Power" Collection Specifics
The fashion in the McCartney campaign was actually inspired by the horses themselves. It wasn't just random clothes.
- Bridle Details: You’ll notice a lot of braided rope accents on the dresses and bags—this was a direct nod to reins and bridles.
- Horse Blankets: The quilting on the coats and skirts was designed to mimic the look of traditional horse blankets.
- Appaloosa Prints: Stella used jacquard fabrics with spots that reference the Appaloosa breed her family used to raise.
- Vegan Innovation: This is the cool part. The riding boots Kendall wore weren't leather. They were made from grape waste from Italian wineries. The bags? Apple waste and mycelium (fungi roots).
Is Kendall Actually a Good Rider?
People love to hate on her, but if you watch the behind-the-scenes footage or the Vogue "day in the life" videos, she actually knows what she’s doing.
She owns a ranch and keeps several horses, including her Paint gelding, Arizona. While she does "bougie" competitive jumping, she’s also been seen trail riding with friends (and once famously with Bad Bunny at the Hidden Hills Equestrian Center).
In the high-fashion world, most models are terrified of horses. They stand three feet away and hope they don't get kicked. Kendall, however, looks genuinely comfortable. In the Camargue shoot, she was dealing with stallions and ponies that were running loose. That takes a specific kind of "equestrian calm" that you can't really fake for the camera.
Why This Photoshoot Still Matters
The Kendall Jenner horse photoshoot wasn't just another Kardashian-Jenner publicity stunt. It represented a shift in how luxury brands talk about sustainability and animal welfare.
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By using "liberty" horses and vegan materials, Stella McCartney was trying to prove that you can have the "glamour" of leather-heavy equestrian style without actually using animals for their hides. It was an attempt to bridge the gap between high-fashion aesthetics and ethical production.
Whether or not you think it was "trashy" or "iconic" usually depends on how you feel about the Jenner family in general. But from a technical and fashion history standpoint, it was one of the most complex shoots of the decade.
What to Look for Next Time
If you’re interested in the intersection of fashion and horses, keep an eye on Hermès or Gucci, as they often reference their equestrian roots. However, notice the difference in how they treat the animals versus the "liberty" style used in Kendall’s shoot.
For those who want to support ethical fashion, you can actually look up materials like MIRUM (plastic-free vegan leather) or Bananatex, which were used in the Stella collection. They are becoming more common in high-end streetwear and luxury goods.
If you're a rider yourself, you might want to check out Jean-François Pignon’s documentaries. Even if you aren't a fan of Kendall, his ability to communicate with a herd of horses is objectively fascinating to watch. It's basically magic, but with more dirt and hay.