Kim Kardashian: «Icon, reality show star, activist and influencer? I do not describe myself this way and I do not like labels»

«There are already two of us, three this time…» Stefano Gabbana jokes during that intimate pre-show appointment in which, with Domenico Dolce, he presented the show’s special guest, Kim Kardashian. «She loves fashion, she understands it and has a sense of style. This conversation was interesting because usually Stefano and I work alone,» Domenico Dolce added, giving space to the event curator for Dolce&Gabbana 2023 spring-summer fashion show. «I put myself in the middle, if Domenico likes something and Stefano does not, I decide,» Kim Kardashian revealed with a big smile, calmly answering a series of questions to see the origin of this event.

How did this adventure with Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana go?

It was a surprising part because, clearly, I know what I like to see on me, everyone is very confident when it comes to themselves. However, understanding the details that give shape to a whole when you had never thought about that before… The most surprising part was watching their vision take shape from start to finish, including the accessories. Being part of the casting and fitting process was the part that involved me the most on a creative level. I had already seen someone do it, but I had never lived it in this way. It was a challenge to see how much work there truly is behind a fashion show.

Which role did Dolce&Gabbana play in your fashion education?

I will forever remember a dress my mother had in her wardrobe that she used to wear when going out with my stepfather. She was so strong and beautiful… Then, I had my first job in a clothing store, and we had D&G. Everything I wanted was D&G clothes and I used all my salary to buy their clothes, jeans, belts. I remember I used my dad’s credit card to anticipate payments and I still have all those clothes. On Christmas, he bought me a D&G belt. One year I wanted my mom’s D&G dress at all costs to wear it in one of our Christmas cards. I did this shooting with that black dress, a bra and a choker. I will never forget that look, I wish I could borrow it forever. We had two dogs named Dolce and Gabbana. A black Labrador who sadly died, and we took another identical one and named him… Gabbana, Gabbana two. Dolce was a small Chihuahua.

When fashion history will look back at the 2010s and 2020s, what would you like fashion books to say about you and what you brought to fashion?

I hope they will remember how important the values of inclusivity and diversity is to me in relation to shape and size of the body, and how much of this has value in fashion and how important it is for me to make fashion accessible to all bodies.

What is the brand’s element most inspiring for you? Tailoring and fit or rather the most shining and sumptuous side?

Everything, but the simplicity of tailoring was always important to me. I love shining elements, as you can see in the show. That is where the inspiration comes from, especially the early 2000s, but when an item is perfectly constructed it changes everything, it does not matter how simple it is. My first tailoring experience with Dolce&Gabbana was when Domenico came to my home in Calabasas to create a look for me for a Celine Dion’s concert. It was an outfit I was obsessed with, so simple yet entirely focused on tailoring.

How did this collaboration come about and how did it develop? Did you spend time in Milan in the archives?

Years ago, for the Celine Dion's concert, my stylist and I made a book with more than 100 archival images, it was our dream. My mother knew Domenico and Stefano, but they were not very keen on opening their archives and recreating pieces. In the years that followed, I started buying archival pieces. And then there was the wedding (of Kourtney Kardashian, ed.), everyone had crazy looks and I had brought the pieces I had collected. The two of them came up to me and said, “Oh my God, this is from 1997, where did you get it?” They were surprised that I had all these pieces, and that is where the idea came from to dig through the archives to create a kind of retrospective, covering about 20 years, from 1987 to 2007, with what I had put in my book. This process was really like a dream come true, to see all these garments made again in a contemporary way. I think it is really nice for a designer to see how after all these years we still want to wear these things, that people are trying to imitate your garments.

Do you feel like a Dolce&Gabbana woman?

I think we all have different personalities. I can have my futuristic alien Barbie personality, which I love, but inside I also have a more seductive and Italian part of me, I do not know if it is correct to call it that. However, when you come to Italy everyone is so respectful, which makes me feel strong, smart and seductive. When you wear Dolce&Gabbana you feel powerful and strong but sexy at the same time, you feel in control. I love glamour, the part of the fashion industry that has the most to do with beauty. Looking back at all their images in the archives, we have seen everything, the hair, the make-up, they are never far from beauty and glamour. It is a big part of who I am and what I love, my passion to get ready by looking for hair and makeup references. So many people hate sitting for hours at makeup. Well, I love it, it is my favorite time of day, with my team bringing in new ideas. It is a creative time. And Dolce&Gabbana is never far from this classic idea of beauty, which is very Italian.

Earlier you talked about how important diversity is to you…

There are so many pieces that we created that there will really be something for everyone in this collection, it is very wearable. Some pieces can be intimidating, but if you simplify them more people will be able to wear them and feel confident, and I think that is a goal we achieved with this show. There are pieces for all bodies and all ages. I put a lot of emphasis on age diversity. I know my grandmother will call me and ask for some of these pieces.

Many of your wishes have come true, such as participating in this project. What other dreams do you have?

I would love to finish my studies, since I am still studying. That is my number one dream. And then as a mom, I think your dream is to see your children happy and healthy, as well as everyone around you, your family.

Are there any women who have inspired you?

I would love to see all women wearing this collection. My younger sisters will absolutely love the 2000s references. Domenico and Stefano probably wanted to kill me yesterday when we were trying to put the show together. I tried everything on, in the middle of fitting, I kept saying, "I have to have this too!" I think there is something in the collection for all generations. My grandmother would love some pieces, my mom some others, me and my friends some more, my sisters, my daughter. This show is going to be big, with so many looks, there really is something for everyone.

You are an icon of our times, a reality show star, a real influencer, and an activist. How would you like to be described?

I do not like to give labels to things, I do not define myself in any of those ways. I think my goal in life is to be an educated person and raise educated children, that is the most important thing. Not differentiating between people, treating everyone the same, and being a good person is all I care about. Life is all about being happy and being a good person. (All rights reserved)