It’s not Kim’s first rodeo with Dior, but now SKIMS is also involved. And here’s an analysis of why this collaboration works.
There is something irresistibly seductive about the aesthetics of old Italy. The languid romance of its sun-drenched piazzas, the unapologetic glamour of its divas, and the visceral sensuality of its art and fashion have long enchanted the world. For Kim Kardashian, a woman who has meticulously curated her ascent from reality star to cultural powerhouse, this allure seems to have struck a particularly deep chord. Her latest collaboration between SKIMS, her wildly successful shapewear brand, and the storied Italian luxury house Dolce & Gabbana, proves this fascination is no fleeting infatuation, and it is a cornerstone of her evolving brand identity.
The SKIMS x Dolce & Gabbana collection, launched in November 2024, is a seamless union of SKIMS’ emphasis on inclusivity and comfort with Dolce & Gabbana’s distinctly Italian glamour. It is equal parts sensual and functional, a celebration of the female form through sleek bodysuits, figure-sculpting pants, and leopard-print lingerie. Yet this collaboration is more than a commercial venture. It is the latest chapter in Kardashian’s ongoing love affair with old Italian aesthetics—a love affair that seems as strategic as it is personal.
A Marriage of Comfort and Elegance
The collaboration is nothing short of a spectacle. The campaign imagery—shot against a backdrop of classical Italian opulence—feels plucked from a Federico Fellini film. Kardashian and her sister Kourtney pose in silk corsetry and lace-trimmed bodysuits, their gazes half-lidded, their surroundings replete with marble statues and gilded furniture. The collection itself reflects this duality: on one hand, the sensual extravagance that has long been Dolce & Gabbana’s hallmark; on the other, the comfort and inclusivity that have propelled SKIMS to a $4 billion valuation.
Unlike many luxury collaborations, the pieces are accessible—at least conceptually. Designed for a wide range of sizes, from XXS to 4X, the collection nods to SKIMS’ ethos of body positivity. Even as it drapes wearers in leopard-print silk and lace, it remains rooted in functionality. It’s an aesthetic that bridges two worlds: the ornate fantasy of Italian couture and the everyday practicality that underpins SKIMS’ massive consumer appeal.
The Eternal Allure of Old Italy
Why, though, has Kardashian so firmly tethered herself to Italian aesthetics? The answer lies in the rich tapestry of meaning these visuals evoke. Old Italy represents a certain ideal of beauty and indulgence—one rooted in the cinematic glamour of Sophia Loren and Gina Lollobrigida, in the sumptuous works of Caravaggio, in the sensual spirituality of Catholic iconography. These influences have long been a cornerstone of Dolce & Gabbana’s design philosophy, and they dovetail neatly with Kardashian’s carefully crafted public image: bold, sensual, and deeply aware of her cultural resonance.
For Kardashian, the allure of old Italy is more than skin deep—it resonates with the way she has chosen to define herself as an icon of modern femininity. Like Italian fashion, she embodies a paradox: both bold and understated, both provocative and refined.
Nostalgia, too, plays a role. In a world increasingly obsessed with the past, Italian aesthetics offer a sense of timelessness. Kardashian has always been adept at mining nostalgia for reinvention, whether by reviving early 2000s trends or by leaning into the romanticised glamour of eras gone by. The SKIMS x Dolce & Gabbana campaign draws on this same impulse, transporting viewers to a world where femininity is bold and unselfconscious, and beauty feels like destiny.
Personal Ties and Public Transformations
For Kardashian, this obsession with Italy is more than a visual motif—it is deeply personal. Her history with Italian culture is well-documented, from her 2014 wedding to Kanye West at Florence’s Forte di Belvedere to her numerous appearances in Dolce & Gabbana couture. The relationship came under scrutiny earlier this year when her sister Kourtney accused her of co-opting her Dolce & Gabbana-themed wedding for personal gain, sparking a public feud. Yet this latest collaboration suggests a reconciliation, with Kourtney herself appearing in the campaign.
Italy, it seems, has been a stage for both Kardashian’s triumphs and tribulations. Its aesthetics have offered her a means of storytelling, a way to position herself as a modern-day goddess draped in the grandeur of the past. Whether she’s posing in lace with a rosary in hand or stepping out in vintage-inspired couture, the narrative is clear: she is not just consuming Italian culture; she is reinterpreting it, folding it into the ever-evolving mythology of “Kim Kardashian.”
The Business of Aesthetics
This obsession with old Italy is also a savvy branding move. By aligning SKIMS with Dolce & Gabbana, Kardashian elevates her brand from a functional shapewear line to a player in the high-fashion arena. The partnership allows her to tap into the prestige of Italian luxury while maintaining SKIMS’ accessibility—a duality that is key to its mass appeal.
Italian aesthetics also align seamlessly with SKIMS’ core mission. Much like the curvaceous silhouettes celebrated in Italian art and fashion, SKIMS designs celebrate and sculpt the female form. The collaboration feels less like an aesthetic departure and more like an evolution—a natural progression for a brand that thrives on celebrating bodies in all their diversity.
The timing of the collaboration also speaks volumes. By marrying a luxury brand with her own, Kardashian ensures SKIMS remains relevant to both high-fashion consumers and everyday shoppers. This duality is at the heart of her success: the ability to cater to aspiration while delivering practicality.
Yet there’s an undeniable element of spectacle in the launch. The campaign, replete with Catholic imagery, drew criticism for what some saw as a disrespectful appropriation of religious symbols. Kardashian’s decision to pose with rosary beads while clad in lingerie sparked backlash, with some accusing her of trivialising sacred motifs. But controversy has always been part of her brand’s DNA. Whether intentional or incidental, these moments of cultural friction keep her in the spotlight, ensuring the conversation never strays too far from her name.
A Timeless Love Affair
Ultimately, Kim Kardashian’s Italian obsession is a love affair as much with cultural heritage as it is with visual storytelling. Through SKIMS x Dolce & Gabbana, she has found a way to blend old-world opulence with modern sensibilities, creating a collection that feels at once timeless and contemporary. The leopard prints, lace trims, and sculpted silhouettes may nod to Italy’s past, but they are unmistakably filtered through Kardashian’s lens.
It is this fusion—of nostalgia and innovation, of personal passion and business acumen—that makes the collaboration so compelling. For Kardashian, old Italian aesthetics are not just an influence; they are a canvas upon which she paints her vision of modern glamour. With SKIMS x Dolce & Gabbana, she has taken a step beyond merely admiring the dream—she is now, unmistakably, selling it.
In Kim Kardashian’s world, beauty is never incidental, and glamour is never passive. It is curated, controlled, and, above all, crafted to last. Just like old Italy.