The latest star of Keeping Up with the Kardashians to make international headlines was Khloé, who filed for divorce last month from basketball player Lamar Odom. But she is now settling in to her new life as a single woman.
A savvy businesswoman, Khloé is also the star of former spin-off shows such as Kourtney and Khloe Take Miami and Khloe & Lamar. The 27-year-old has several business interests including DASH, the family’s clothing boutiques in Los Angeles, Miami and New York, and she also teamed up with the Natural Products Association to create a teeth whitening pen, Idol White.
Khloé (known as the “edgy” one of the family), also appeared in one of PETA’s “I’d Rather Go Naked than Wear Fur” campaigns, she released a jewellery line, a clothing line for Bebe (which was later dropped), and a fake tan product — Kardashian Glamour Tan.
She was also the co-host of The X Factor USA, and along with her two sisters, Kim and Kourtney, released a book, Kardashian Konfidential; a unisex fragrance called Unbreakable and a follow up, Unbreakable Joy.
But for this Kardashian, joy has not been a part of her life of late due to her troubled marriage to Odom, whom she met in 2009 and married a month later.
But on a positive note, the Kardashian trio recently unveiled their second range for Lipsy, the British fashion brand, featuring a 14-piece range.
How did you come up with the pieces for Lipsy?
When we started designing our Kardashian Kollection for Lipsy we took inspiration from our favourite runway trends and then designed wearable pieces for the everyday woman who loves fashion without taking herself too seriously. Our clothes reflect our three individual personalities so there is something to suit every girl.
Why do you think people admire your style so much?
I definitely march to the beat of my own drum. I feel really sexy in jeans, T-shirts and a pair of stilettos. I don’t need to be in a short mini dress with a crop top on to feel sexy.
What’s the most important aspect of choosing an outfit?
Choose clothes according to your body shape rather than trying to replicate a trend. It’s really important to feel good in what you are wearing and that was an important sentiment when we collaborated with Lipsy.
When it comes to DASH, it seems Kourtney takes the lead?
Well, Kourtney and I do all the buying for the stores together. While she has a little more control over the interiors of the stores, for the Kollection it’s all three of us doing everything from the design meetings to picking up the fabrics. You can tell which pieces each of us would have picked up because of our personalities.
How would you describe your business relationship with your sisters?
I feel like I eat, breathe, and sleep with my sisters. When we were younger and first opening DASH it was definitely more difficult. But these days we don’t bicker as much. There’s tension sometimes during our design meetings but we always have the voting system, two against one.
Who’s the bossiest?
Probably me, I’m pretty bossy. Kim is more quiet and Kourtney, I can just kind of convince her to do what I want (laughs).
Is your mother still a part of your business dealings?
My mum is our manager, she doesn’t have to mediate among us, we three are quite vocal and very good at telling each other how we feel in certain situations. Yes, we might want to kill each other sometimes, but I would not want to do this with anybody else but my sisters.
What’s your best style tip?
I’m a big believer of Spanx. I wear them under something that’s not even form-fitting, even if it’s a full skirt, because if the wind blows I don’t want everything on display. I like having that extra safety of not being able to see certain things.
There seems to be a big connection between the Kardashians and the black community. What do you attribute that to?
My father raised us in a way that we were not allowed to see people in any sort of colours, and we were also not allowed to call people fat. If ever we were to say — “Oh, that fat person” — he would make us put a bar of soap in our mouth and count to 10. We weren’t allowed to look at people like that, so for us, we never think twice. We come from a very mixed family, we are a bunch of different races, my family, so it’s very normal for us.
How would you describe your style?
I do love getting dressed up and making outfits glam with accessories but I’m probably the most causal out of the three of us. I like to mix separates such as a pencil skirt with a cute top and chic blazer.
Do your younger sisters Kendall and Kylie ask for fashion advice?
Well, they have their own amazing style but as their older sister I’m always happy to give advice when asked. I love watching their style.
How does Kim rate as a new mum?
She’s fantastic. She’s a great mum. And I get to be an aunt again which is so much fun. I can’t wait for North to get older to dress her up.
Apparently you are the most protective of the Kardashian sisters?
Very true. I might be the baby out of Kourtney and Kim but I can be vicious.
On the show, has there ever been a footage you have asked the producers not to use?
No, never. We have never done that and I think that’s why people love our show, it is authentic. We have shown some pretty crazy things, and not all things are good, you know; dark times and some of the fights are nasty, and Scott’s ups and downs. We think it makes us learn and grow and better ourselves as human beings. I think that is the attraction. We have ups and downs in life — and that’s why the show is long lasting and why people do relate because we show the good, the bad, the ugly, the beautiful. I don’t regret it ... because it is real. We are doing a reality show, we are going to keep it reality and not paint some picture and that’s what we do.
If you could switch wardrobes with another woman, who would you choose?
Jennifer Lopez.
Do you and your sisters share clothes?
Sometimes yes. I will share, Kim is more particular and she’s not good at sharing. Kourtney, she shares with me, so I can only borrow T-shirts of hers. I mean she’s so much smaller than me — she’s 5 feet and I’m 5-foot-10, so it doesn’t really work. But she borrows my stuff, such as bags and scarves.
What’s the first thing you pack when you travel?
I’m a very OCD packer. I just Instagrammed a photo of my packing and everything has labels and is wrapped in tissue with what city I was going to. Because I was going to so many different cities I wanted to be organised. I’m huge on toiletries; I like to have what I’m comfortable with at home. I know hotels have the lotions and shampoos but I always have to take my own.
What’s the dumbest thing you have ever read about yourself?
There are literally millions to choose from, but I would say the dumbest thing I have heard, is that my dad isn’t my real father.
What’s your favourite body part and why?
My legs. No matter how much weight I gain or lose, they always look perfect.
How do you deal with public criticism?
I want to say I don’t care, but of course things said about me are going to sting, especially about my weight. I have to do whatever is good for me. I feel that I’m healthier these days but I don’t think I’m prettier when thin. A few years ago I lost 14 kilograms and people still wanted to criticise me. I’m happy with myself if I’m a little heavier. I realised, “Why am I trying to conform to someone else’s idea of beauty?” I think I’m beautiful, either way.
And you haven’t resorted to plastic surgery or any other surgical intervention?
Yes. I’m proud I have done things the healthy way and haven’t felt bullied into having my face operated on. I’m not against it. When I’m older, you never know.
