Kai Schreiber, the 17-year-old model and daughter of Naomi Watts and Liev Schreiber, has spoken about how fashion has long been tied to her identity and self-expression. In a recent interview, Kai said her early love of style, glamour, and runway culture was closely connected to her experiences growing up and to the challenges she faced understanding her gender identity. She described being drawn to iconic women in film and fashion, including Marilyn Monroe, as well as contemporary transgender figures such as Hunter Schafer and Alex Consani, whom she sees as role models.
Kai, who identifies as transgender, said she often imagined herself as a glamorous and influential woman from a young age. She recalled spending years practicing her runway walks at home, with her mother Naomi Watts able to show video clips of those early moments. Her comments reflected a broader sense of self-discovery and the role that fashion played in helping her express who she is. For Kai, the appeal of modeling was not only about clothes or celebrity, but also about seeing herself represented in an industry that has increasingly made space for LGBTQ+ talent.
She also spoke about the importance of community, especially among transgender people in fashion. Kai said she looks up to older generations of trans women and finds inspiration in seeing more LGBTQ+ models and creatives on runways and in campaigns. At a time when transgender people continue to face hostility and political attacks, she said that being surrounded by others in the fashion world who share similar identities has been meaningful and empowering. In her words, the growing presence of trans and queer figures in fashion feels like a “takeover,” signaling both visibility and solidarity.
Kai’s reflections also highlight the changing landscape of high fashion, where transgender models and LGBTQ+ voices have become increasingly prominent. Her own rise on major runways, including appearances for Valentino, Mugler, and Jean Paul Gaultier, has placed her among a new generation of models helping reshape beauty standards and representation. By speaking openly about gender identity and admiration for trailblazing women, Kai has positioned herself not only as a model but also as part of a broader cultural conversation about identity, visibility, and acceptance.
Her comments underscore how personal identity and professional ambition can intersect in fashion, especially for young trans women navigating public life. For Kai, the runway represents more than fame; it is a space where self-expression, community, and aspiration meet.
