SKIMS LAUNCHES
EXCLUSIVELY AT SELFRIDGES

FOUNDER KIM KARDASHIAN WEST
IN CONVERSATION

We gained exclusive access to Kim to discuss her thoughts on body confidence, inspirational women and her exclusive launch at Selfridges.
 

What do you feel sets SKIMS apart as a brand?

Kim Kardashian West: The product itself! We use the best fabrics and advanced construction to create our solution-based shapewear, underwear and loungewear. With its huge size and colour offering, SKIMS is for everybody.

 
Why is collaborating with Selfridges important to you? What would you describe as shared values between SKIMS and Selfridges?

Kim Kardashian West: We have so many UK-based customers, and it was only a matter of time until we expanded outside of the US. Selfridges is known as a place for discovering brands and having an amazing fashion selection. It was only fitting for you to be our first UK partner. We value our customers and want to ensure they always feel welcome. 

From hairstyles to make-up to fashion choices, you’ve experimented with your own image many times throughout your career to date. How has your relationship with your own body influenced how you’ve developed SKIMS? 

Kim Kardashian West: I’ve always played with shapewear throughout my whole career and viewed it as a solution category. Whether I was wearing a full sheer look or wearing uncomfortable fabrics, shapewear was always the answer. I used to cut up shapewear, dye it, and even use shipping tape in order to create a perfect look. It was all this experimenting that made me notice a gap in the market that I knew I had the experience to fill. From there, SKIMS was born.

What role do you, personally, hope to play in the body positivity movement as it evolves? 

Kim Kardashian West: I want to help women feel confident. I’m hoping SKIMS can be a small part in making them feel that way. 

Why was it important to you to make SKIMS inclusive?

Kim Kardashian West: I knew first-hand what limited options were out there, so I set out to create a brand that is for everybody – no matter their shape, size or colour. I believe that every person should have access to great shapewear, underwear and loungewear, and I want women to feel comfortable and confident in whatever they are wearing.

What is your definition of beauty?

Kim Kardashian West: I believe that beauty comes from confidence and feeling good about yourself! It doesn’t matter what you wear, or if you wear make-up or not; as long as you are confident, your beauty shines through. 

When do you feel most empowered?

Kim Kardashian West: I feel most empowered around my kids – they inspire me every day.

Do you ever feel self-conscious?

Kim Kardashian West: Of course, I think everyone feels self-conscious sometimes! 

 
Which women are you most inspired by and why?

Kim Kardashian West: There are so many women in my life that inspire me – I can’t choose just one! My mom and grandma MJ definitely inspire me and have passed down their work ethic and family values. Of course, I can’t leave out my sisters, friends and my wonderful fans. 

For one of your first SKIMS models, you hired Alice Marie Johnson, the Tennessee woman who you helped to free from prison. Why was she the perfect fit for the role?

Kim Kardashian West: Alice is such an incredible woman. She has been through so much. We’ve formed a strong bond over the past couple of years. For our very first SKIMS campaign I wanted to cast inspirational, real women, and Alice was the perfect fit. 

Performance artist Vanessa Beecroft, who photographed you for this launch, also works regularly with SKIMS. How did she get involved with SKIMS? What do you admire about her work?

Kim Kardashian West: Vanessa is an amazing artist. She has such a beautiful vision, and I knew she would create gorgeous imagery for SKIMS. She is known for her live performances with different types of women who are either in wigs and bras or are nude, so I knew she would make the perfect collaborator for SKIMS.