Kim Kardashian's SKIMS Hairy Thongs Spark Global Backlash, Sell Out Quickly

Kim Kardashian's SKIMS brand recently launched a provocative product: a faux-hair micro string thong designed to resemble natural pubic hair, which quickly sold out despite—or perhaps because of—widespread online outrage and disbelief. This product has sparked intense debate, with some viewing it as a bold marketing stunt blending shock value and exclusivity, while others criticize it as tone-deaf, fetishistic, and exploitative under the guise of body positivity. Industry insiders suggest the controversy was a deliberate tactic to generate viral attention and boost sales ahead of investor meetings. The thong's design draws inspiration from merkins—pubic wigs historically used in Hollywood for modesty during intimate scenes—highlighting a cultural reference to an often overlooked aspect of fashion and film. Critics also note a tension between Kardashian's previous promotion of strict beauty standards and this latest product's seeming encouragement to embrace natural female features, though this move is largely seen as a business strategy rather than a feminist statement. The debate underscores the complex interplay between celebrity branding, consumer behavior, and societal attitudes toward female body image and empowerment.