A lifelong fashion enthusiast, Kim Kardashian found her way back to confidence through clothing after her divorce from Kanye West.
In a new Vogue France cover story, the Skims founder credits much of her renewed self-assurance to fashion designer Demna.
“I think things really changed with Demna. He doesn’t care what other people think, and I learned to do the same,” Kardashian shared. During her marriage to West, she explained, her style was largely shaped by him. After their split, she had to relearn how to trust her own instincts.
Demna, who closed out a decade-long run at Balenciaga in 2025, frequently looked to Kardashian as a muse. She was named a face of the brand in 2022 and walked in two of his couture shows, including his farewell. Many of her most memorable red-carpet looks—whether the all-black ensemble at the 2021 Met Gala or the striking caution-tape catsuit—came courtesy of his designs.
“We became very close,” Kardashian reflected. “I always loved dressing up, but before, I thought fashion meant sequins or flashy things. With Balenciaga, I realized I can wear something simple and still feel strong. It doesn’t have to be chic or sophisticated to make an impact. That gave me the confidence to dress for myself, without a stylist. It’s very validating.”
Her partnership with Demna coincided with the end of her marriage. In fact, her shrouded 2021 Met Gala look was widely interpreted as a nod to West’s Donda rollout.
Kardashian has previously spoken about West’s influence over her wardrobe. In 2018, she revealed that he once cleared out nearly her entire closet, reducing her 250 pairs of shoes to just two. Although she cried at the time, West later replaced her wardrobe with racks of high-fashion labels she had never worn before. “I wasn’t offended,” she said then. “He wanted to teach me.”
Today, Kardashian sees that era differently. Turning 40, she explained, marked a shift. “My mom told me these would be the best years of my life, and it’s true. Only in the last few years have I gained real confidence. Before, I needed constant validation from others to make decisions. Now, I know exactly what I want—and it’s exhilarating.”
