Kim Kardashian and Skims A Billion-Dollar Fashion Empire

Kim Kardashian and her £3 billion style brand, Skims, are poised to take over the world. Apart from dominating the shapewear industry—recently unveiling a line of bras with a permanently erect nipple effect—Kim’s knack for securing attention-grabbing collaborations underscores her creative prowess. Skims recently joined forces with Fendi and has become the official apparel partner for the NBA, WNBA, and USA Basketball. Her latest triumph? A partnership with Swarovski’s creative director, Giovanna Engelbert, to design an exclusive collection of body-shaping accessories and jewel-encrusted shapewear.

Kim is no stranger to bejeweled accessories, as evidenced by the famous incident when she lost her diamond earrings in the ocean while vacationing in Bora Bora. Her collaboration with Swarovski’s Engelbert results in a dazzling array of sparkling jewelry and body chains crafted from silver and bold diamonds, complemented by Skims’ signature form-fitting dresses, lingerie, and bodysuits—all adorned with crystals. Speaking to Vogue at the new Swarovski flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York, Kim explains, “Skims provides the base layers for all the wardrobe essentials in a playful manner, and collaborations allow me to explore different facets of my personality. Swarovski is beautiful because it’s entertainment and glamour, and being a model is a significant part of my identity.” When asked about the moodboard, she cited diverse references, including Isabella Rossellini in Death Becomes Her, Britney Spears’ “Toxic” music video, classic Old Hollywood glamour, and her Marilyn Monroe-inspired look from the 2022 Met Gala. “I loved going full bling—my daughter came in and styled [the pieces] in her own way, and it was so cool.Engelbert’s perspective on the collaboration reflects her inspiration from her Millenia jewelry collections, stating, “We infused iconic elements from both brands. I’ve loved the Skims aesthetic since they launched, and I’ve always wanted to explore body jewelry, so they were the perfect brand to work with for this.” Highlighting her favorite pieces from the collection, Engelbert notes, “The body jewelry stands out for me due to its exceptional versatility in how it can be worn. It’s designed to be one-size-fits-all with extensions, aligning with Skims’ commitment to inclusivity for all body types.

Engelbert and Swarovski are familiar with unexpected collaborations. Since joining the renowned jewelry brand in 2016, Engelbert has brought a “modern aspect” to diamonds, venturing into creative realms where elegance and vibrancy converge. Collaborating with major brands like Aquazzura, Nike, Adidas, and shoe designer Amina Muaddi through the Swarovski Makers Lab initiative, Engelbert has transformed Swarovski from a traditional commercial jewelry brand into a player in the contemporary luxury lifestyle realm. The collaboration with Skims is a logical and natural extension of this repositioning. “Skims shares the same values of empowerment and self-expression as Swarovski, and the synergy of visions between the two brands has been organic and seamless,” says Engelbert. “It’s been inspiring and wonderful for the teams to collaborate.