Kim Kardashian is a vision is royal blue. The SKIMS mogul attended the 2023 Annual Parsons Benefit in New York City on Wednesday night to honor visionary figures in fashion, design and the arts. The gala brings together esteemed Parsons alumni and industry leaders, like Donna Karan, Dapper Dan, Anna Wintour and more.
Kardashian stepped out in a striking cobalt blue custom Balmain two-piece ensemble, showing her support for the house’s creative director and her longtime friend Olivier Rousteing, who was one of the designers acknowledged at the event.
The reality star adorned a leather mock-neck sleeveless crop top, crafted to look as though it was wet with a wrinkled draped element along the chest. Kardashian wore a matching low-rise maxiskirt with a thigh-high slit, teamed with a diamond-encrusted belly chain — signaling the summer staple’s triumphant return. The SKKN by KIM founder accessorized with PVC transparent strappy heels with a silver shimmering ankle strap and diamond stud earrings.
Kardashian styled her dark raven tresses in glossy, tousled beach waves with a sweeping side part and opted for a subtle smokey eye with mile-long lashes and a lined-mauve neutral lip shade.
The star celebrated Rousteing’s honor with Marni Senofonte, stylist to Beyoncé, who recently collaborated with Rousteing on Balmain’s new Renaissance collection.
Other designers such as Carolina Herrera, Wes Gordon, Laura Kim, Marc Jacobs, and Tory Burch were all in attendance as well.
“This award last night was not only the celebration of the creative director of Balmain, but it was the celebration of HOPE, hope from a kid that had dreams , big dreams. Who would ever believe from where I come from that I would be with you last night,” Rousteing posted on Instagram. “From an orphanage to a stage. From tears to smile, this had been my reality. I feel proud tonight for the next generations.”
He continued, “When I was appointed at Balmain in 2011, I was the only black creative director in a French luxury house and I kept fighting for those 3 words: Inclusivity, diversity, democratization. Tonight, it’s about celebrating those 3 words and keeping shaping all together our new world.”
Hardly the only attendee championing Balmain designs, actress Jodie Turner-Smith and model Cara Delevingne both sported looks from the Balmain Fall/Winter 2023 ready-to-wear collection.
Turner-Smith opted for a caged corset with a pointed bust and peplum silhouette underneath a sheer black collared button-down and black trousers, while Delevingne wore a sea blue pantsuit with an off-the-shoulder blazer jacket pinned with diamond brooch, cigarette pants and bedazzled pumps.
The event occurred on the same night as The Kardashians season 3 premiere. Kardashian left the benefit to attend a Blink-182 concert with sister Kourtney Kardashian’s (who is married to the brand’s drummer, Travis Barker) and Senofonte.
In the the new season, Kim and Kourtney reignite their pervasive feud. This time around, Kourtney feels that Kim has used her wedding “as a business opportunity.”
In May 2022, Kourtney married Barker in a lavish destination wedding in Portofino, Italy, hosted by Dolce & Gabbana, who also made Kourtney’s bridal gown. That September, Kim teamed up with the Italian fashion house for the Spring/Summer 2023 runway presentation during Milan Fashion Week. The star teased the partnership for days ahead of the show on Saturday, and presented a collection of pieces reimagined from the brand’s archives ranging from 1987 to 2007.
