The Power of Modern Influence on Fashion
Spring 2022, written by Luxe Aurano.
The influence of two power houses can move the fashion industry without question. When a collaboration of two fashion leaders, such as Kim Kardashian being involved with Balenciaga and Vogue, can cause discussion throughout all cultures.
One can only wish to move an industry as big as the fashion industry. Each generation experiences an individual who makes their mark on history, which shows the zeitgeist of the time. As news gets shared much faster than before, being relevant seems like the challenge for those who wish to maintain their reputation.
With the oversaturation of individuals within social media, it seems that people come and go with their seconds of fame–referencing the buzzing social media, TikTok, where individuals can be viral one second, and unnoticed the next. The fine line between fame and influence can be blurred due to everyone trying to get into the global spotlight. But, the perfect mix of fame and influence can create an industry leader if done correctly.
Britney Spears, Beyonce, and Madonna are examples of influential women that have gone beyond the entertainment industry to become a household name. With personal growth and a publicly known history, the access to these women have allowed them to become icons of their
time. Yet, their influence and personality has shifted into newer issues such as legal problems (Britney Spears), privacy (Beyonce), and age (Madonna). Not to say that these women don’t make an impact, but the zeitgeist is no longer marked by their influence.
Kim Kardashian. The name can be a sentence all in itself, and can reference many historic moments that have led to memes, movements, and marks on history. From a sex tape, to a horrific Paris incident, to her current life choice of being a lawyer, Kim Kardashian has been a personality that is endlessly discussed. The woman is a prime example of influence and fame, and has remained relevant for years without end.
Disregarding her dynastic family and focusing on her personality, Kim Kardashian has attracted positive and negative attention, but with both equals a high level of social appeal. Putting herself on the map of fame with her reality TV show, the public has been able to “Keep up with the Kardashian” since then.
The woman is a mogul. Kim Kardashian is a designer, an entrepreneur, and a leader of her own empire. Her “talentless” beginnings has brought her to a place of power, and it’s difficult to reject a statement such as that.
Her influence has moved away from just living a privileged and luxurious life. Kim has been a shifting personality who has recently chosen to become a lawyer–following in the steps of her late father, Robert Kardashian–while also being a consistent face in fashion. There is clear love for all things in-the-now, which relates to her own relativity in the media. It was no surprise to see her relationship with Demna (Demna Gvasalia), creative director for Balenciaga, bloom into a heightened masterpiece of social attraction.
The relationship between the two started with her former husband Ye (Kanye West). The three had originally been seen together consistently, and the attendance from Kim and Ye to
Demna’s runway shows were expected. But now, Kim has been an independent figure and the new face to represent the brand.
Because of this detailed hand picking of Kim for Demna–or vice versa–both parties understand the influence of one another. With Kim being the mogul she is, and Balenciaga being one of the top selling brands under The Kering Group (the luxury group that manages Balenciaga), the two parties show influence to their audience. The benefit is that each party’s audience will transition to the other. Whether it be for sales or for more attention, Kim Kardashian for Balenciaga is a marketing moment that will remain in fashion history.
It is almost as if her closet is a Balenciaga archive. Stepping out for ice cream, or leaving her temporary hotel, she is wearing something from Balenciaga. The house staples for Kim have to notably be the hourglass handbag, any form of intense or alien-like sunglasses, or a recent runway look. She seems to be one of Demna’s muses for his designs. If it’s not her Instagram photos making it known, it can be seen from the two’s iconic arrival to the 2021 Met Gala–themed, “American Independence.”
In all black casual attire, the two approach the iconic Met stairs like shadows. No visible skin; the eeriness attracts the photographer's attention. As the cameras click, and the audience screams, no introduction is needed to know who had just arrived. With the dress code being “American Independence,” the target for the theme was hit with the country’s most well known woman being fully covered in a simple t-shirt and leggings.
Transitioning away from the campaign-like life Kim has been living, the second half of the Met Gala had recently occurred on the First Monday in May 2022. Remaining with the American theme, the dress code had changed to, “Gilded Glamour.” The maroon covered stairs had been stepped on by A-list celebrities with excessive golden garments and extravagantly
made gowns. The Gala is organized by Vogue magazine, and they handpicked the individual who would close the carpet that night–no other than Kim Kardashian herself.
Happy Birthday, Mr. President. Kim had approached the walkway and sparkled from a bedazzled skin tight dress. Minimal in the most maximist way as she is known for a monochromatic wardrobe. The attention grabbing dress is borrowed from Ripley’s Believe or Not, originally being Marilyn Monroe’s “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” dress from 1962.
Yet again, she hits the bullseye when being on theme for the night. Referencing the Gilded Age, one can’t be more opulent and glittering as she wears a piece of American history–which so happens to hold the record for being the most expensive dress ever auctioned off. She has also shown a separation of class as this influential woman closes the carpet of fashion’s most important event. The middle class and those beneath her view and criticize from the comfort of their homes. She is “Gilded Glamour.”
Vogue had intended her to be the last individual to be seen on the carpet. Just like her relationship with Demna, the influential fashion magazine saw the potential of her to have her independent moment. This had not been the first interaction between the two parties to attract many gazes. In fact, this event was only 3 months after Kim was on the cover of Vogue’s March issue.
Yet another collaboration between two fashion powerhouses, Vogue deciding on Kim Kardashian to be on the cover was another opportunity for both parties. Vogue can be considered the pinnacle of fashion due to its global reach. Anyone who graces the monthly magazine cover will be the trending topic until the next influence approaches. And, whether it being clothes or a personality, the merging between iconic and iconic is the advantage in making something sell.
The editorial was photographed by Carlijn Jacobs and styled by Carlos Nazario. It was set in a studio with some involvement from Kim Kardashian’s personal home. Kim’s clothing is sourced from a range of brands such as Loewe to Schiaparelli. Being a businesswoman from her own brand and a spokesperson for Balenciaga, the fashion images includes the SKIMS monogram and the Balenciaga couture hat–from the brand’s new Haute Couture collection in 2021 after a 53 year absence.
The images are stagnant but powerful. Embodying Kim’s personality, it is effortless in revealing her radiance in simplicity. From the fashion bible Vogue, to the globally known face of Kim Kardashian, this editorial peaks when selling the clothes, the personality, and the publication that was involved. Through this, the public relation is guided by those who have the strongest of say, overall managing how this will impact their audience and the fashion industry.
So it seems that anyone who is involved with Kim Kardashian can reach new heights in business, status, and fame. The influence one can have is almost uncontrollable, yet the woman controls her surroundings and the collaborations she chooses to be involved with. Whether it be a moment of negative backlash or a jaw-dropping scene, she has endlessly provoked society.
Kim Kardashian is the zeitgeist of this time.
Sources:
- Eckardt, Stephanie. “Kim Kardashian Has Dropped the ‘West,’ But Not Her Love for
Balenciaga”. W Magazine, 4 March 2022.
https://www.wmagazine.com/fashion/kim-kardashian-west-name-balenciaga
- Eckardt, Stephanie. “Kim Kardashian Naturally Takes a Selfie in Her First Balenciaga Campaign”. W Magazine, 1 February 2022. https://www.wmagazine.com/fashion/kim-kardashian-balenciaga-campaign
- History.com Editors. “Gilded Age”. History, 13 February 2018. https://www.history.com/topics/19th-century/gilded-age
- Nnadi, Chioma. “Kim Kardashian Takes Marilyn Monroe’s ‘Happy Birthday, Mr. President’ Dress Out for a Spin”. Vogue, 2 May 2022. https://www.vogue.com/article/kim-kardashian-met-gala-2022
- Wang, Jen. “I’ve Chosen Myself”. Vogue, 9 February 2022. https://www.vogue.com/article/kim-kardashian-cover-march-2022
- Williams, Robert. “The Business Vision Behind Balenciaga’s ‘New Era’”. Business of Fashion, 29 September 2021. https://www.businessoffashion.com/articles/luxury/the-business-vision-behind-balenciaga s-new-era/
