Kim Kardashian just loosened her nipples, but not in the way you might think. The SKIMS founder is showing her support for the movement with the latest addition to her shapewear brand's Ultimate Bra line: the Ultimate Nipple Bra, which, yes, is made with built-in visible nipples.
Kardashian announced the new product in a skit posted on Instagram, in which she plays a sexy scientist. What role has she played in helping to address the climate change crisis? Invented a bra with built-in nipples "so no matter how hot you are, you always look cold."
"Some days are hard, but these nipples are even harder," she quipped. "Unlike icebergs, they're not going anywhere."
The Keeping Up With The Kardashians star is a well-known supporter of freeing her nipples, proudly showing off her nipples in sheer looks for years. She even wrote about the trend on her now-defunct blog in 2016, saying, "I've always been into sheer stuff - I just wasn't into GAF, haha." Now, with SKIMS, she's doing it in a A whole new way to do it.
Meet, the Ultimate Nipple Bra
Kardashian said the bra is designed to be "perfectly full, with built-in artificial nipples for impact." Considering the reaction in the Instagram comments, fake nipples are already doing their job.
The Ultimate Nipple Bra will be available on October 31, making it the perfect finishing touch to a playful Halloween look. However, if you are on the SKIMS mailing list, you will have early access to new products.
Artificial nipples have been popular for many years
While Kardashian's innovative underwire caused a stir, erect nipples have been a fashion darling for decades. In fact, there are plenty of moments in pop culture history where fake nipples have served as statement accessories.
The most famous example: Samantha Jones (who happens to be played by SKIMS model Kim Cattrall) proudly shows off a pair of fake silicone implants in Sex and the City. Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) later tested them at a party with great success.
"Nipples are big now," Samantha told the girls in a Season 4 episode. "Open any magazine! It's not that cold. Those girls are either twerking or wearing these."
Another example: Rachel Green's nipples became so famous on Friends that some viewers thought Jennifer Aniston was wearing fake ones on camera. "I don't know what to tell you!" she told Vogue in 2017. "I don't know why I should be ashamed of them - that's just how my breasts are."
Decades before Samantha or Rachel, Marilyn Monroe was famous for wearing nipple-style lingerie. One of the Kardashian icons, she helped create the tapered "bullet bra" - which gives the illusion of pointed nipples with erect nipples - one of the most recognizable bra shapes in history.
Historic influence: "Marilyn Monroe has always been an inspiration for Kim (she infamously wore a Marilyn Monroe gown to the Met Gala). As a result, she created the Bullets, which were popular with Marilyn in the 1950s. It’s no surprise that head bras are similarly designed.” — EJ Briones, Managing Editor, Fashion Markets, Bustle Digital Group.
Its uses go beyond aesthetics
While Kardashian's goal in creating the Ultimate Nipple Bra may have been to shock, it could serve as a valuable tool for breast cancer survivors who have lost nipples due to mastectomies.
Tiffany Reid, senior vice president of fashion at Bustle Digital Group, noted that the design could have very practical applications for survivors. "This product goes beyond SKIMS fans, who love it because it's sexy," she said.
As with her range of size-inclusive shapewear, this launch is aimed at a new demographic of shoppers.
Bras with Confidence: "This is another example of how Kim is using her brand to serve an underserved market. Perhaps she doesn't realize that she's serving women who have had mastectomies and are struggling with the loss of their nipples service, which affects a woman’s sense of identity. It brings confidence and sexiness to the consumer.” —Tiffany Reed.
The lingerie also has a separate charitable element. 10% of the proceeds from the bra will be donated to 1% for the Planet, which tracks thousands of businesses and environmental organizations working toward improved environmental goals.
