It’s not lost on newly-minted September cover models Kaia Gerber and Homer Gere just how lucky they both are. “There wasn’t a moment where we didn’t have immense gratitude that we got to be on the cover of Vogue,” Gerber beamed, mid-signing copies of the issue on Tuesday afternoon.
Beside her, her co-star (on the cover, as well as on the addictive new Ryan Murphy show The Shards) nodded emphatically in agreement. “It’s something that I didn’t even think was possible—it’s completely insane,” Gere smiled. “And to get to do it with Kaia, who’s a close friend of mine, is really fun. She held my hand through it; she’s a pro.”
Tucked into the back corner of Casa Magazines, the West Village’s famed newsstand and print mecca, the striking duo towered over endless stacks of magazines and clung close to the air conditioning unit. By 3 p.m., a lengthy queue had started to form outside the shop, with readers eager for the double act to autograph their copies.
The street was teeming with fans and photographers, as Gerber explained that this was actually the first time they were seeing the public’s response to the cover. “I honestly haven’t been online,” she said. “Homer’s really not online either. So I didn’t know what people were saying. But the people in my life have been very excited about it. As a model, it was amazing to get to work with Steven [Meisel] and bring it all to life. The main feedback has been how fun and nostalgic it is.”
Kaia Gerber, Homer GerePhoto: Michaella Jelin
As the offspring of Cindy Crawford and Richard Gere, parental feedback was perhaps most paramount. “My mom was like, ‘This is completely wasted on you’ as she was a model. Meanwhile, I had no concept of this,” Gere joked. “My dad loved the article. He said, ‘Usually profiles don’t capture people very well, but I feel like this is you.’”
Papa Gere’s sentiment was definitely shared amongst the pair. “I feel like Rob [Haskell] captured our essence, which is the hardest thing to do with a written interview,” Gerber praised. Even the headline, ‘Just Kids’ was fitting, she thought. “I love the Patti Smith and Robert Mapplethorpe reference,” Gere added, as Gerber cut in: “Sometimes I say Homer reminds me of Robert Mapplethorpe.”
The line quickly started to wrap around the block, snaking past an artisanal paleta stand that doled out horchata, passion fruit, and coconut flavored ice pops. The assembly of admirers was impressive, even to the duo who, despite their limelight-filled upbringings, maintain very grounded demeanors. “We really are just kids,” Gerber emphasized, as together they stepped outside to greet their fans.
