Kim Kardashian didn't choose BLACKPINK's Lisa for NikeSKIMS just for star power. On Complex's Sneaker Shopping, she called Lisa her "dream person" for the launch — not merely for her status as a global icon, but for the technical poise and physical control that define her as a world-class dancer. That precision makes Lisa the perfect match for a 'system of dress' designed to move, stretch, and hold its shape.
The campaign, shot in Paris, features a sea of dancers. Lisa, dressed in black, dips and re-emerges among performers in pink, a clever nod to her group name and the collection's first drop: only two colourways, black and pink. Kim has praised Lisa's style and poise, noting how her movement highlights the flexibility and fit of both NIKESkims clothing and footwear.
Sneaker Shopping: Kim's Personal Relationship with Nike
The Complex episode offers insight into why this collaboration feels so personal. Kim walked through her sneaker history with precision, referencing Air Max 95s, Nike Shox, and rare colourways she hunted down in the early 2000s. She spoke not as a celebrity guest, but as a collector and long-time Nike customer — someone who understands fit, silhouette, and longevity.
Her point was clear: Nike isn't just a brand partnership. It's part of her visual and cultural vocabulary. The episode also revealed her meticulous taste: tonal shades over bright pops, knowing when to hold onto a pair and when to let it go. That attention to detail carries through NikeSKIMS, from the way fabrics move to the fit of the Satin Air Rift.
The Satin Air Rift: Nike Meets SKIMS
The collection's standout piece, the Satin Air Rift, traces back to Nike's 1996 design inspired by Kenyan marathon runners. Kim's update swaps technical mesh for satin, thins the silhouette, and uses a single velcro strap to create a more editorial, ballet-like look.
The shoe keeps the iconic split-toe "tabi" design, a polarising shape even among the Kardashians, but one Kim embraces. "Love it or hate it," she says. Subtle touches underscore the SKIMS identity — the sole, for example, is embossed with the SKIMS 'S' logo. The Air Rift Satin bridges performance and lifestyle, reflecting SKIMS' ethos of seamless, body-conscious design.
A Rare Sub-Brand, Not a Collaboration
NikeSKIMS is more than a collaboration. Historically, Nike reserves this level of partnership for athletes like Michael Jordan. Kim described "pinching herself" at the chance to launch a sub-brand as a creator. The goal: tonal, tight-fitting athleisure pieces that feel authentic to the SKIMS customer while carrying a Nike performance backbone.
Hands-On Mogul
Despite her status, Kim remains deeply involved. She's the brand's original fit model, attends every fitting, and ensures fabrics, materials, and construction meet her standards. She has delayed releases to perfect the product and personally curates seeding to influencers and celebrities, maintaining the control she had from SKIMS' early days.
Her personal sneaker history informs this approach. From obsessing over Air Max 95s and Nike Shox to managing the most exclusive Travis Scott releases for her family, Kim has long combined taste, knowledge, and exacting standards — qualities that translate directly into NikeSKIMS.
Positioning for Longevity
By leading with Lisa, focusing on movement and fit, and leaning on Kim's long‑standing relationship with Nike, NikeSKIMS signals durability and function over hype. The Spring '26 collection is NikeSKIMS' first head to toe system of dress, with footwear, apparel and accessories designed together to support movement, performance and everyday wear — not just aesthetic. Pieces are crafted to move with the body, from sculpting Matte and Stretch Knit to lightweight Weightless Layers and the new Rift Satin footwear, reflecting a collection built to be used and used to perform.
