By Tyler Martin
I don’t know about you, but I haven’t left the King Kylie Era of 2016. Tumblr was at its peak, and all the “it-girls” were sporting pastel-toned hair with matching colored nails and, of course, leather everything. Kylie Jenner has been inventing trends and defining fashion eras for almost a decade. So when she announced her new line, Khy, I was instantly intrigued. Khy seems to be a unique mix of 2023’s minimalism and quiet luxury trends, with a nod to her iconic King Kylie era.
The first drop of the collection is in collaboration with Namilia, a brand founded in 2015, known for its gender-neutral club-wear. The collaborative line, Khy, includes twelve entirely black, monochromatic pieces, with all pieces (except two) being made from leather.
I appreciate that Kylie kept the line minimal and cohesive. The pieces are seasonless, as black leather is incredibly versatile, making the pieces ideal for transitional dressing. The line is definitely simple, but I do like the intricacies that make each item unique. For instance, the extreme oversizing of the trench coat or the hourglass shape of the pants. The sizing is also very inclusive, offering sizes ranging from XXS to 4X. Additionally, the pricing is reasonable, with items ranging from $48 to $198, similar to other SMU-girl favorites like Aritzia and Reformation. I believe that if you appreciate the aesthetic of the line, you could easily find an item that complements your existing wardrobe, adding a fun going-out piece to your collection.
However, as much as I can appreciate many aspects of this line, I find it underwhelming. Black vegan leather pieces can be found at almost any brand, whether it be high fashion or everyday wear, so it is not particularly special. Also, vegan leather is terrible for the environment; it is a petroleum-based synthetic that is not biodegradable. That said, sadly, this line is far from sustainable.
I don’t think this line is here to last because there is nothing revolutionary about it. It’s hard to look at this line and not compare it to beloved Kardashian-brand counterparts like Skims, which was groundbreaking and filled a gap in the market. Skims is size-inclusive, decently priced, caters to men and women, and is always innovative. So Kylie releasing base-layer type pieces in her collection doesn’t really excite me, especially when I know I can find the same thing on Skims.
Celebrity-backed fashion lines are interesting because they garner a lot of hype initially, but quickly phase out due to lack of longevity in the fashion space. There have been many wins and failures in this category, but a brand like Khy just doesn’t appear to have staying power or feel like anything new.
The line launched this past Wednesday, and the launch was a little depressing. Only two out of the twelve items sold out, which doesn’t even compare to the instant success Kylie Cosmetics had in 2015. I didn’t think this line was gonna fly off the shelves, but you’d expect that since it’s a Kardashian-owned line, that everything would at least sell out for the first drop? This leaves me to question whether or not the Kardashians have as much power and influence as they once did.
If you like to support celebrity or influencer backed lines, a few of my favorites include Helsa, Renggli Studio, and Djerf Avenue. These are innovative, authentic and don’t feel like cash grabs.
So overall, nice try, but I will be passing on Khy. I just didn’t find it to be anything new and it feels too “insta baddie” for me, so I don’t think investing in a piece from this collection would feel authentic to my personal style. This line served as a personal reminder that you don’t always have to succumb to the pressure of social media hype and jump at every launch. Only purchase things that truly excite you, and that you genuinely see will working with your existing clothing.
