Reality television icon and entrepreneur Kim Kardashian turned heads this week with a daring street style ensemble, officially modelling the latest collaboration between her shapewear brand and sportswear giant Nike.
A Bold Street Style Statement
The 45-year-old star was spotted on Tuesday evening at The Commons in Calabasas, California, showcasing several pieces from the NikeSKIMS collection. Her eye-catching outfit featured the brand's underwear and the headline-grabbing new NikeSKIMS Rift shoes in Mesh. The distinctive footwear revives Nike's iconic split-toe design, creating a clear division between the big toe and the others.
Kardashian completed the look with a sophisticated black leather Balenciaga blazer and matching sunglasses, wearing her dark hair down for a sleek, minimalist aesthetic. In a statement released on Wednesday, she explained the inspiration behind the shoe, calling the original Rift a "90s icon that women everywhere have fallen in love with."
"Together with Nike, we focused on creating a version that feels minimalist, sleek and flattering," Kardashian stated. She added, "There's something so powerful and beautiful about a ballet flat, which is why reimagining the Nike Rift for the first NikeSkims sneaker felt perfect."
The Return of a 90s Icon
The Nike Air Rift, which first launched in 1996, was originally inspired by Kenya's Great Rift Valley and developed with barefoot runners to encourage a more natural stride. The new SKIMS iteration retains this unique DNA. According to the SKIMS website, the design "moves your body differently," featuring a singular strap for security and a minimal midsole to bring the wearer closer to the ground.
The NikeSKIMS Rift Mesh is set for release in North America on January 26, available via Nike.com, Skims.com, and select retailers with a retail price of $150 per pair. Kardashian has been heavily promoting the launch, which is expected to be a major commercial success for her brand.
North West's Piercing Controversy Continues
The fashion reveal came just a day after Kardashian's 12-year-old daughter, North West, sparked fresh debate on social media. The budding rapper and daughter of Kanye West appeared to showcase new finger piercings in a photo shared to her Instagram Story on Tuesday, January 13.
The image showed what looked like two new dermal piercings on her left middle and ring fingers, each featuring small silver balls near the knuckle. This follows the dermal piercing she first debuted on her right middle finger in August 2025.
Dermal piercings differ from traditional ones as the jewellery is anchored under the skin, carrying risks like infection, scarring, or rejection if not cared for properly. Kardashian has previously faced backlash for allowing her minor daughter to get such piercings. North herself hit back at critics in a TikTok video last month.
In a recent video on the shared TikTok account with her mother, captioned '#northforever', North mouthed lyrics to a viral song while briefly flashing her pierced left hand. Less than two weeks ago, she also sparked speculation with what appeared to be a bridge piercing, though this was later confirmed to be a temporary sticker.
Kim Kardashian shares North, along with daughter Chicago, seven, and sons Saint, ten, and Psalm, six, with ex-husband Kanye West. The Daily Mail has contacted representatives for Kim Kardashian regarding North's latest piercings but has not yet received a response.
