Kim Kardashian is no stranger to dramatic transformations, but her latest look might just be her most striking yet. Stepping into a glamorous “mob wife” meets 1960s Italian aesthetic, the entrepreneur and reality star is nearly unrecognizable in a bold, curly blonde bob wig for the new Skims x Roberto Cavalli campaign.
The highly anticipated collaboration between her shapewear and apparel brand, Skims, and the iconic Italian fashion house Roberto Cavalli, features a line of luxurious bathing suits, dresses, and cover-ups. These pieces are adorned with Cavalli’s signature, maximalist animal and floral prints, perfectly complementing the retro-inspired styling of the campaign.
Embracing the Retro Transformation
For the campaign imagery, Kim fully embodies the era. Her short, voluminous curly blonde wig is a stark departure from her usual long, dark locks or sleek styles. Paired with fierce poses and the opulent Cavalli prints, the look evokes a sense of vintage Italian poolside glamour.
Specific campaign shots highlight this dramatic shift. In one striking image, Kardashian sports a one-piece swimsuit featuring a large, expressive tiger face print across the front. The curly blonde bob is styled with a classic ’60s red headband, enhancing the retro feel. Another photo showcases her in a contrasting floral push-up dress against a matching floral wallpaper backdrop, serving up pure Italian maximalism.
The transformative nature of the look hasn’t gone unnoticed. Commenters on social media have noted a resemblance to Italian actress Isabella Rossellini’s appearance in David Lynch’s 1990 film Wild at Heart, further cementing the classic cinema vibes of the campaign.
A History of Bold Hair Choices
Kim Kardashian is well-known for her willingness to experiment with her appearance, particularly her hair. This bold blonde bob is just the latest in a long line of dramatic hair transformations. She has previously rocked everything from vibrant red wigs to icy blonde styles, pink-tipped looks, a blunt bob, and even a Pamela Anderson-inspired blonde wig with bangs.
This penchant for using hair to redefine her look for projects or just for fun is common among A-list celebrities. Whether it’s for a film role, a specific campaign aesthetic, or simply a mood, stars frequently embrace wigs and bold cuts to create entirely new personas. Kim’s embrace of this curly blonde style for the Cavalli collaboration underscores how transformative hair can be in crafting a powerful visual narrative.
The Story Behind the Collaboration
The unique Skims x Roberto Cavalli partnership originated, perhaps surprisingly, with a direct message. Kim revealed to Vogue that the idea sparked while she was looking through old vacation photos and realized just how many Roberto Cavalli pieces she owned and loved wearing on holiday.
“Skims can be really simple; it’s all about the fits and the materials and the way they make you feel,” Kim explained. “But when you go on vacation sometimes you want something different.” Recognizing this desire for more expressive resort wear, she thought, “There has to be some way to do a Skims Cavalli collab…” She then took the initiative and messaged Fausto Puglisi, Roberto Cavalli’s creative director, proposing the idea.
Adding to the campaign’s star power is Kim’s mother, Kris Jenner, who also features in some of the imagery. According to Kim, Kris’s involvement was organic, stemming from her genuine enthusiasm for the collection’s bold prints while looking at samples. “She was like, ‘Oh my God, I want this and this,’” Kim shared. This moment led Kim to feel it was significant and that Kris “had to be in the campaign,” noting that “Kris Jenner is the moment too.” Kim believes her mother’s inclusion highlights the collection’s appeal to a broader age range, emphasizing that “there’s no one more fabulous than my mom.”
The Skims x Roberto Cavalli campaign, featuring Kim Kardashian’s stunningly unrecognizable curly blonde bob and the brand’s signature bold prints, is set to make waves this summer, offering a taste of high-fashion, retro Italian glamour.
