Is Kim Kardashian A Fashion Icon?

Is Kim Kardashian A Fashion Icon?

There's no denying Kim Kardashian is one of the most famous women in the world. If you need proof, just look in any magazine, on any website. She's everywhere and has turned revealing herself and her life into an industry - an industry that's worth nearly £25million.

However, one question remains. Despite her FRow presence and Riccardo Tisci-designed wardrobe, is Kardashian a genuine fashion icon or just another dressed up celebrity?

To get to the bottom of it, let's start at the start. It was a leaked sex tape in 2007 showing footage of the 33-year-old with her then-boyfriend rapper Ray J that truly put her on the map. The inevitable next step from this? A reality show, of course. The most successful reality show on the planet, to be precise, Keeping Up with the Kardashians.

More controversy followed, with persistent rumours of extensive plastic surgery, not to mention her much-covered 72-day marriage to basketball player Kris Humphries from which she made £10million.

She's covered numerous glossy mags, runs Dash clothing stores with her sisters Khloe and Kourtney - they also have their Kardashian Kollection clothing line - and she has her own fragrance.

Yet it was when the star started dating Kanye West in 2012 that her style repertoire really started to inspire comment. Since then, every appearance has been an opportunity to showcase Lanvin, Alexander McQueen, Valentino, Givenchy and Balmain.

Her transformation from LA girl to Riccardo Tisci's unofficial muse was branded officially worthwhile when earlier this year, Kardashian became the first reality tv star to land the cover of US Vogue.

Accompanied by her now-husband Kanye and their baby girl North West and wearing an ivory strapless Lanvin wedding gown, it seemed the rebrand of the star from trashy celebrity to fashion force to be reckoned with was complete.

She had officially joined a club that counted Audrey Hepburn, Gwyneth Paltrow and Beyonce as members. But did this make her a bonafide fashion icon? I'd argue no.

There is not one standalone image of Kardashian that seems to clearly define a moment in history or mark an era, while remaining as timeless and relevant as the day it was taken. Icon status evades her as prolifically as it haunts Kate Moss.

While every picture of the latter effortlessly says what you need to know about the time it was taken, every picture of Kardashian simply says something about her and it's never profound or revealing because she has so much control over her own image.

Her Instagram photos - filtered and hashtagged to perfection - document a lavish, materialistic lifestyle peppered with celebrity pals. Millions want to be her, but it's not because of her style.

The truth is when we look back at the career of Kim Kardashian, there's no denying there will be a lot to see. But will anyone hold her up as a fashion icon? I don't think so.

LITERALLY EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT KIMYE'S WEDDING...

LOVE KIM'S STYLE? Take a look through this gallery of photos all about the lady...

MORE! Watch all the latest on Kim Kardashian right here.

Close

What's Hot