She’s used to – and enjoys - being the centre of attention, but during the week reality TV star, Kim Kardashian stole the spotlight at a black-tie event to raise money for the Metropolitan Museum in New York.
Wearing a printed floral long-sleeved gown with matching gloves and heels, the designer, Riccardo Tisci of Givenchy told Women’s Wear Daily that she was “the most beautiful pregnant woman I dressed in my career.” But comics and critics were not so kind, with official photos cropping her out and Robin Williams tweeting that he thought he looked better as Mrs Doubtfire.
While Kim Kardashian didn’t comment, other people are – with the big talking point around the “perfect storm” of pregnancy and celebrity.
“It used to be celebrities in advanced stages of pregnancy were not seen, but now they tend to swathe themselves in head-turning fashion,” said the editorial director of The Hollywood Reporter, Janice Min. “People love to see celebrities flaunt it.”
The pioneer of the pregnant celebrity was Demi Moore who posed full-bellied and nude for the cover of Vanity Fair 22 years ago. Before then, “you just didn’t see pregnant women on the cover of magazines,” says Ms Min.
Kim Kardashian’s red carpet look may not have been to everyone’s taste but she is being applauded for not hiding in oversize shapes.
“Her whole purpose in life is to be photographed and scrutinised, and she always dresses on the edge,” says Ms Min.
Are we surprised?