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19 March 2024

Keeping up with Kim Kardashian in Dubai

Kim Kardashian (ASHOK VERMA)

Published
By Bindu Suresh Rai

"Dubai feels like home," were the words Kim Kardashian used over and over again to describe her two-day stint in the emirates so far.

But those 30-odd hours have been enough for the reality TV star from Hollywood to plan a Kardashian hotel here, launch her clothing line here and possibly even bring her sisters over for a reality TV show that sees "Kim and Khloe take Dubai."

While we wait with bated breath for that, or not, the emirate is definitely on the Hollywood map, what with the E! cameras following the reality star ever here and requesting all the media present to sign disclaimer forms to be featured on the show.

The five-foot two inch beauty, dressed in a mustard-coloured figure-hugging Barney's Co-op dress that was teamed with a vintage belt and Christian Louboutin stilettos, talked further about bringing the brand here, telling Emirates 24/7 that while no timeframe has been set yet, the Kardashian brand would make its mark here.

"I haven't met anyone as of yet to draw up a business plan, but I have met a lot of different people who have impressed me to go ahead with my plans here," she said.

"It was very important for me to come here first and see what Dubai really was about before I lent my name to anything.

"I would never go into business into a new market before scouting it myself," she added.

Kardashian said the reality show cameras are following them around even here and she is sure millions around the world will see the hospitality Dubai has to offer.

"In fact, maybe my sisters and I can take Dubai in a new reality show," she laughed, adding: "I know how jealous they are upon seeing mom's and my pictures here.

"I have promised them I will take back something traditional for all of them."

Kardashian's mother, Kris Jenner added: "It is good to finally be here after the amazing stories we have heard about the place.

"And I do know how involved the girls get about their ideas, and if they feel something is good business sense, they will make it happen."

Media frenzy

In the past 24-hours, social media watchdogs have been abuzz with sightings of Kardashian, with many attempting to post pictures of the diva as she was checking into Atlantis The Palm, her trip to the desert and her dinner at Nobu.

Kardashian herself took to Twitter, posting: “Wow I'm in such awe over Dubai. My hotel is so insane, can’t wait to do some blogs and show u guys! Too much to tweet! I’m obsessed with Dubai! [sic]”

But it seems the obsession has gone two ways, with a lot of online speculation ever since the reality TV star posted a picture of herself over Twitter, wearing hooped earrings but no wedding ring. People have already started to question if there is trouble in paradise for Kardashian who tied the knot with boyfriend Kris Humpheries on August 20, with the wedding reportedly costing $20 million.

Kardashian and her mother, Kris Jenner, will be at The Dubai Mall on Friday to launch the first outlet of Millions of Milkshakes, where the duo will create their own signature shakes. Following which, a live interview by MBC will be conducted and fans have been requested to put forth their questions on the Facebook page of the retail outlet.

Brand benefits

When quizzed about his choice in picking Kardashian as his brand ambassador, founder of Millions of Milkshakes, Sheeraz Hasan said: "Kim is the biggest star in the West today and very good friend. She had always talked about visiting the Middle East one day.

"When it was time to bring my outlet to Dubai, she was the ideal choice for the brand."

But it is not just the drinks brand that has benefited from Kardashian’s visit.

The reality star’s tweets depicting how enamoured she has been with the Atlantis The Palm since her visit has certainly placed the hotel on the map as a home to the stars; a few years ago socialite Paris Hilton had done the same when she posted pictures of her day with the dolphin’s at the hotel’s Aquaventure water park.

Kardashian said: "The Atlantis experience has been amazing and I can't wait to get on the water slides here."

Also on her list of thanks has been Emirates Hospitality, which flew her down here.

But perhaps the brand that has reaped the most benefits is Dubai itself.

"I hope to be a positive brand ambassador for Dubai," she gushed, adding: "I have travelled a lot in the last couple of years and I love spreading the word when I like a place; and Dubai feels like home.

"I'm amazed how similar it is to America, like a Las Vegas or a Miami wrapped in one."

Her mother added: "Kim will get her community to Dubai. This I guarantee."

In the past, the 30-year-old has lent her name and famous face to many brands along the way, including Australia’s Bongo Jeans, Balenciaga shoes, Carl’s Jr fast food, Sugar Factory lollipops, and various other products.

Inspired by Arabia

Kardashian claimed to be enamoured by the beauty she has experienced here and even joked that she wished her brother Robert had come with her.

"There are so many beautiful women here, I wish Robert had come to see this for himself," she laughed.

But its not just the women, but also the fashion that has appealed to her.

"I haven't tried any of the abayas here as yet, but mom has promised to go out and find me one.

"I believe that you can have great style even if it's something traditional," she said.

Kardashian also admitted that she expects her future clothing line of the Kardashian Kollection to be inspired from what she has seen in Dubai.

The story so far...

The businesswoman, model, reality TV star and diva first shot to fame back in 2007, when a lewd video of hers with then boyfriend, R&B star Ray J.

 But it was shortly after, that Armenian-American really came into her own later that year when she, along with her two sisters (reality TV stars Khloe and Kourtney), mother, brother, half-sisters, and stepfather starred in the E! TV series, “Keeping Up with the Kardashians”. The series has aired five seasons to date, with two spin-off series.

After a few stints in Hollywood, a nude Playboy magazine cover and a stint on reality TV show “Dancing With The Stars”, Kardashian’s image went in for a makeover of sorts, when she branched out into the business side of things and launched a boutique line with her sisters, D-A-S-H.

The clothing line has expanded over the years, with one called K-Dash for Bebe and another for Sears, called the Kardashian Kollection.

Aside from the trio creating a sunless tanner called Kardashian Glamour Tan, Kim Kardashian has also launched her own perfume fragrance.

When quizzed if she would launch a joint fragrance with her husband Humphries, she said she was open to the idea but he might not be as he wants to try something new.

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