Kaia Gerber Returns to Work Following the Death of Her Brother Presley

Model Kaia Gerber has returned to her professional career, appearing in a new fashion campaign for a collaboration between JW Anderson and UGG. This project marks the 25-year-old's first major public work since the sudden death of her brother, Presley Gerber, on September 20.

Presley Gerber, 27, died while staying at a sober home in Santa Monica, California. Reports indicate he suffered a cardiac arrest, with a suspected overdose identified as the cause. In the years leading up to his death, Presley had been open about his ongoing challenges with mental health and substance abuse.

Following the tragedy, the Gerber family maintained a private period of mourning. On October 18, Kaia Gerber shared a deeply personal tribute on social media, which included childhood videos and a four-page handwritten letter. In the letter, she expressed the profound difficulty of processing the loss of her brother, noting that language felt inadequate to describe the magnitude of her grief.

In her tribute, Kaia shared a poignant memory from their childhood regarding a trip to get their ears pierced. She recalled being frightened of the procedure, which led Presley to volunteer to go first to help her feel comfortable. Reflecting on this after his passing, she wrote, "You always went first. But when I held the earring they took from your body, all I could think was: that belongs to you. And I really f—ing wish you hadn't gone first this time."

Kaia concluded her message by describing her brother as her best friend and protector, stating that being his sister was her favorite thing about herself. Her parents, Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber, also released a joint statement expressing their heartbreak. They described their son as a "sweet, beautiful soul" and thanked those who offered support during their time of loss.

The new campaign featuring Kaia Gerber, photographed by Tanya and Zhenya Posternak, highlights a collection that emphasizes comfort and contemporary design. While the launch signals a return to her public role, the model has made it clear that the loss of her brother remains a significant and lasting impact on her life.