It's no secret that collaborations have become big business for fashion brands, this year more than any other. Where once, it was about under-the-radar 'hype' labels which generated small, fiercely engaged audiences who would queue for hours just to get their hands on product, the fashion collab has now gone mainstream. From Sienna Miller joining forces with M&S to the upcoming Zara collection created by Kate Moss, these mutually beneficial arrangements are becoming more common. One brand which has always understood the power of a partnership is SKIMS – and to prove it, it has just announced a collaboration with Dolce & Gabbana.
Of course, Kim Kardashian's relationship with the Italian fashion house is no secret. While she's loved and worn the brand for years, it was her sister's wedding in 2022 which really sealed the deal. When Kourtney Kardashian married Travis Barker in Portofino, Italy, every member of the family was dressed top-to-toe in Dolce & Gabbana, including multiple outfit changes and many, many Instagram posts. This resulted in some claiming that the wedding was 'sponsored' by the Italian label, something which the designers themselves denied, stating that they were simply the 'hosts' of the event.
Since then, Kim has 'curated' a collection for D&G, based on her favourite archival looks from the brand and has, of course, been dressed by the designers many times. So, this new SKIMS collection hardly comes as a surprise, but will undoubtedly be met with glee by Kardashian's most ardent fans. It's not the first time SKIMS has partnered with a major fashion house, either – there was a Fendi collection in 2021, followed by last year's collab with Swarovski.
What does the Dolce & Gabbana x SKIMS collection look like?
While limited images have been released of the collection so far, one shows Kim and sister Kourtney in form-fitting leopard print pieces, while the others show Kim performing her best Sophia Loren impression in a black bodysuit and leopard bra. According to SKIMS, we can expect 'styles from both brand's archives', which will include lingerie, silk pyjamas, shapewear and corsets, all available in sizes XXS-4X (UK 6-24). Bras will range from 30A-38DD.
What has Kim Kardashian said of the collection?
In a statement, Kardashian said: 'It's been an honour to collaborate with my friends Domenico and Stefano on this special collection for Dolce&Gabbana and SKIMS. We've taken classic Dolce&Gabbana silhouettes and leopard prints and reimagined them with the incredible fit and comfort that SKIMS is known for. This is a truly iconic partnership that I'm so excited to share with the world.'
For their part, Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana said: 'We hold a genuine affection for Kim and her family. Our shared bond, rooted in a long-standing friendship, naturally inspired this new collaboration centered on inclusivity and body positivity - values close to our hearts and core to Skims.'
How much will Dolce&Gabbana x SKIMS cost?
Prices are, as yet, unknown but, based on previous collaborations with the likes of Fendi, bodysuits are usually around £150, while some of the shapewear pieces are just under £100. It's fair to expect SKIMS prices, with some pieces costing a little more depending on the style and materials used.
When does Dolce&Gabbana x SKIMS launch?
The collection will be available from Tuesday, 19th November 2024 at 9am Eastern Time. That means that it will drop online at 2pm UK time, so set an alarm if you're a SKIMS super fan.
Hannah Banks-Walker is Grazia's head of fashion commerce. She has previously written for the likes of Harper's Bazaar, The Financial Times, Glamour, Stylist, The Telegraph, Red, i-D and The Pool on everything from fashion to curly hair (hi!) to the patriarchy. Not necessarily in that order. Find her on Instagram and Twitter. But please don't look for her MySpace profile, which until now was the last time she wrote about herself in the third person.