Here’s why Kim Kardashian’s CFDA outfit is actually pretty empowering

kim kardashian
(Image credit: Rex)

Fresh off her visit to the White House, Kim Kardashian walked the Council of Fashion Designers of America awards red carpet last night and picked up her own accolade.

To mark the occasion, the entrepreneur wore a crop top and maxi skirt ensemble by Rick Owens, which naturally raised a few eyebrows on Twitter thanks to its revealing aspect (Kim went sans bra for the evening).

But actually, her outfit was pretty symbolic and empowering if you asked me. Because when Kim first started out a few years ago, her publicist told her she could keep on dreaming if she ever wanted to make it in fashion.

kim kardashian

Taking to the stage to accept her inaugural Influencer Award, Kim said, 'It was maybe seven years ago when I had a publicist, and she asked, what were my goals, what were my dreams, and I said I just wanted to be on the cover of a fashion magazine.

'And she said, let's (make) some realistic goals because that will never happen. And so, of course I sent her my Vogue cover when it came out. An autographed copy. So it's really a trip to me that now I'm here getting an award for fashion when it's something I always loved. Thank you so much for this, it means a lot.'

And by dressing like she always has, she stayed true to herself, even if she didn't fit in with the regular fashion crowd.

She even joked, 'I'm kind of shocked I'm getting a fashion award when I'm naked most of the time'

kim kardashian

Plus, there's the fact that Kim decided to walk the red carpet with her sister Kourtney, rather than with her husband Kanye, choosing to share the limelight with another successful woman.

And if that's not empowering I don't know what is.

Penny Goldstone

Penny Goldstone is the Contributing Fashion Editor at Marie Claire UK. She writes about catwalk trends and the latest high street and Instagram sartorial must-haves. She also helms the Women Who Win franchise.

She has worked in fashion for over 10 years, contributing to publications such as Cosmopolitan, Red, Good Housekeeping, and Stylist.