Kim Kardashian Roasted Online as SKIMS Launches Underwear with Faux Pubic Hair: Social Media Backlash Explodes

In a move that’s dividing the fashion world and igniting keyboards across social media, Kim Kardashian‘s billion-dollar brand SKIMS has unveiled a new line of underwear featuring faux pubic hair—a bold design choice that’s sparked a massive fashion controversy. The announcement, dropped via Instagram on Tuesday, has already amassed over 5 million views, but not all feedback is glowing. Critics are roasting the reality star-turned-entrepreneur for what they call an unnecessary and gimmicky addition, while supporters hail it as a step toward body positivity. With memes flooding TikTok and Twitter, this SKIMS innovation is proving that in the cutthroat world of intimates, authenticity can be as divisive as it is daring.

The controversy erupted shortly after Kim Kardashian teased the product in a sultry photoshoot, where models showcased the underwear’s ‘natural texture’ feature. Priced starting at $28, the line promises to ’embrace the real you’ with synthetic pubic hair patches that mimic natural body hair. But what was intended as an empowering statement has instead become a lightning rod for ridicule, with users questioning if SKIMS has crossed the line from inclusive to outright absurd.

SKIMS’ Daring Debut: Inside the Faux Pubic Hair Underwear Launch

SKIMS, the shapewear and intimates powerhouse co-founded by Kim Kardashian in 2019, has built its empire on revolutionizing comfort and confidence for all body types. With sales exceeding $750 million in 2023 alone, according to Forbes, the brand has become synonymous with inclusive sizing and skin-toned fabrics that cater to diverse skin shades. This latest venture into textured underwear seems like a natural extension—or perhaps an overreach—of that mission.

The new collection, dubbed ‘SKIMS Natural Essence,’ hit the official website at midnight EST, featuring bikinis, boyshorts, and thongs in neutral shades. Each piece incorporates a removable faux pubic hair insert made from soft, hypoallergenic synthetic fibers designed to blend seamlessly with the wearer’s skin. Kim Kardashian, in her launch post, captioned: ‘Body hair is natural, beautiful, and part of who we are. SKIMS is here to celebrate every inch.’ The post, featuring Kim Kardashian herself modeling a pair, quickly went viral, garnering 2.3 million likes in the first 24 hours.

But the innovation didn’t stop at aesthetics. SKIMS collaborated with dermatologists to ensure the faux hair is non-irritating and easy to customize—users can trim or style it to their preference. Production details reveal that the fibers are sourced from sustainable, recycled materials, aligning with the brand’s eco-conscious push announced last year. Initial stock sold out in select sizes within hours, indicating a pocket of enthusiastic buyers amid the uproar.

Behind the scenes, insiders say the idea stemmed from Kim Kardashian‘s personal advocacy for body positivity. In a 2022 interview with Vogue, she discussed her own journey with self-image, including embracing natural features post-motherhood. ‘We wanted to normalize what society often shames,’ a SKIMS spokesperson told reporters exclusively. This launch coincides with a broader industry trend: according to a 2024 report by McKinsey & Company, 68% of consumers now seek brands that promote ‘unfiltered authenticity’ in apparel.

Yet, for all its intentions, the faux pubic hair element has overshadowed the product’s practical benefits, like moisture-wicking fabric and seamless edges. Retail analysts predict the line could boost SKIMS’ quarterly revenue by 15%, but only if the backlash doesn’t deter mainstream shoppers.

Social Media Storm: Memes and Mockery Target Kim’s Bold Underwear Bet

Within minutes of the reveal, social media lit up like a wildfire. On Twitter—now X—hashtags like #SKIMSFauxFail and #PubicHairGate trended globally, amassing over 1.2 million mentions by Wednesday morning. One viral tweet from comedian @SarcasmQueen read: ‘Kim K just invented underwear for Bigfoot. SKIMS: Because nothing says ‘sexy’ like a built-in bush. #FashionControversy’ It racked up 150,000 retweets and inspired a flood of Photoshopped images superimposing faux hair on everything from celebrity portraits to fast-food logos.

TikTok fared no better for Kim Kardashian. Users stitched her announcement video with reaction clips of shocked faces, one garnering 8 million views featuring a user quipping, ‘SKIMS underwear with pubic hair? Next up: jeans with fake leg hair!’ Influencers in the body positivity niche were split; while some like @BodyPosiBabe praised it as ‘a win for natural bodies,’ others, including plus-size model Ashley Graham’s follower account, called it ‘tone-deaf luxury gimmickry.’

Instagram comments under SKIMS‘ official post were a battlefield. Positive remarks focused on empowerment: ‘Finally, underwear that doesn’t erase my natural self!’ wrote one user. But the roasts dominated, with jabs like ‘Who hurt you, Kim? This is wild’ and ‘SKIMS: Shaping your body, fuzzing your privates.’ A poll on Reddit’s r/Fashion subreddit showed 62% of 10,000 voters deeming the feature ‘unnecessary,’ with threads dissecting the cultural implications of monetizing body hair.

The meme economy exploded, too. Platforms like Imgflip and KnowYourMeme cataloged over 500 user-generated images by midday, including a parody ad with Kim Kardashian as a sasquatch. Celebrities chimed in: Khloé Kardashian liked supportive posts, while rival brand founder Rihanna’s fans trolled with comparisons to Fenty’s smoother lines. Social listening tool Brandwatch reported a 300% spike in negative sentiment toward SKIMS overnight, though engagement metrics soared, potentially turning controversy into free publicity.

This isn’t Kim Kardashian‘s first rodeo with online scrutiny—recall the 2016 Balenciaga dress backlash or her 2022 Oscar gown controversy—but the intimacy of underwear amplifies the personal attacks. Mental health advocates warn that such roasts could exacerbate body shaming, even as they highlight the very issues SKIMS aims to address.

Fashion Critics Dissect SKIMS’ Faux Pubic Hair Gamble

The fashion controversy has drawn sharp opinions from industry heavyweights. Vogue editor-at-large André Leon Talley Jr.’s successor, Lauren Valenti, penned a scathing op-ed: ‘SKIMS’ faux pubic hair is less innovation and more Instagram bait. In an era where authenticity reigns, faking it feels like a step backward.’ Valenti pointed to historical precedents, like the 1970s feminist art movement that celebrated body hair, arguing Kim Kardashian commodifies rather than empowers.

Conversely, designer Christian Siriano, known for inclusive runway shows, offered measured support in a CNN interview: ‘It’s risky, but SKIMS is pushing boundaries. Body hair stigma is real—42% of women remove it due to societal pressure, per a 2023 Glamour survey. This could normalize it.’ Siriano, who has dressed Kim Kardashian multiple times, suggested the feature might appeal to Gen Z, where 55% report feeling pressured to conform to hairless ideals, according to Nielsen data.

Market experts are watching sales closely. NPD Group analyst Marshal Cohen noted, ‘SKIMS disrupted intimates with color inclusivity; this could do the same for texture, but backlash risks alienating 70% of conservative buyers.’ He cited Victoria’s Secret’s 2021 rebrand struggles, where edgy campaigns led to a 12% sales dip before recovery.

Sustainability angles also factor in critiques. Eco-fashion blogger @GreenThreads called the synthetic inserts ‘a plastic nightmare disguised as progress,’ referencing that polyester-based faux hair contributes to microplastic pollution. SKIMS countered with stats: each insert uses 20% recycled ocean plastic, reducing environmental impact by 30% compared to virgin materials.

Broader context reveals a shifting landscape. Brands like Billie razors have marketed against hair removal norms since 2018, with their ‘No Smooth Seas’ campaign boosting revenue 200%. Yet, SKIMS‘ entry into this space via underwear blurs lines between apparel and grooming, prompting questions about overreach. A panel at New York Fashion Week next month will feature Kim Kardashian discussing the launch, potentially swaying opinions.

Kim Kardashian Breaks Silence on the Underwear Uproar

Facing the digital deluge, Kim Kardashian addressed the frenzy in a lengthy Instagram Story series on Wednesday. ‘I get the shock—it’s new territory,’ she admitted, scrolling through memes with a laugh. ‘But SKIMS is about real bodies, not perfection. If faux pubic hair helps one person feel seen, it’s worth the noise.’ She shared user testimonials, including a trans woman who appreciated the customizable feature for gender-affirming wear.

In a follow-up to E! News, Kim Kardashian elaborated: ‘Social media is brutal, but it’s also where change starts. We’ve seen sales spike 40% from early adopters, proving not everyone’s roasting.’ The brand plans pop-up events in LA and NYC for hands-on demos, with free inserts for first 500 visitors.

Legal whispers emerged too—no small feat in Kardashian’s world. Trademarks for ‘Natural Essence’ were filed last month, but competitors like Savage X Fenty are eyeing similar launches, per USPTO records. SKIMS PR emphasized inclusivity testing: focus groups with 1,200 diverse participants showed 65% approval, though social media skews younger and more vocal.

Kim Kardashian‘s response strategy mirrors past controversies, like her 2020 ‘Kimono’ shapewear rename after cultural backlash. By engaging directly, she humanizes the brand, turning potential PR disaster into dialogue. Fans speculate this could foreshadow a full body hair line, including bras with faux underarm options.

Future Ripples: How SKIMS’ Controversy Could Reshape Intimates

As the dust settles on this fashion controversy, the long-term impact on SKIMS and Kim Kardashian‘s empire remains unclear, but ripples are already forming. Analysts forecast that if positive buzz sustains, the Natural Essence line could capture 10% of the $25 billion U.S. intimates market by 2025, per Statista projections. However, a prolonged social media roast might erode trust, especially among millennials who value authenticity—78% boycott brands post-scandal, says Edelman Trust Barometer.

Industry-wide, this could accelerate trends toward unapologetic designs. Expect more brands experimenting with natural textures; whispers from insiders suggest Aerie and ThirdLove are scouting similar features. For underwear innovation, SKIMS sets a precedent: controversy sells, but execution matters.

Kim Kardashian has teased expansions, including men’s lines with faux chest hair, in a Variety profile. Regulatory eyes are on too—FTC guidelines on ‘natural’ claims could scrutinize the faux elements. Ultimately, this bold bet underscores SKIMS’ disruptive DNA, potentially redefining intimacy one (faux) hair at a time. Shoppers, stay tuned: the next viral drop might just grow on you.

(Additional context: To deepen the narrative, consider the psychological angle. A 2024 study in the Journal of Consumer Psychology found that 52% of women feel liberated by body hair acceptance campaigns, yet only 20% would pay premium for integrated products like SKIMS’. Quotes from users: ‘It’s empowering,’ says NYC buyer Maria Lopez, 29. ‘But at $28? Pass,’ counters LA influencer Jake Rivera. Sales data post-launch: 50,000 units shipped, per internal leaks. Competitor reactions: Hanes issued a neutral statement, while Cuup praised ‘diverse innovation.’)

Expanding on cultural ties, this launch echoes 1960s feminist protests where women grew out body hair as rebellion. Modern parallels include Billie Eilish’s 2021 armpit reveal, which boosted her brand deals 150%. For SKIMS, global markets pose challenges— in conservative regions like the Middle East, where sales are 5% of total, the line is region-locked. PR teams are adapting with localized marketing, focusing on ‘texture customization’ sans the hair buzzword.

Economic breakdown: SKIMS’ valuation hit $4 billion in 2023 after a minority stake sale to private equity. This controversy, while risky, aligns with Kardashian’s media savvy—her net worth, $1.8 billion per Bloomberg, thrives on headlines. Forward steps include collaborations with body hair activists like @TheBirdsAndBees for authenticity audits.

Inclusivity metrics: The line offers 40+ sizes, from XXS to 5X, and shades matching 12 skin tones. User feedback loops via SKIMS app show 72% satisfaction among wearers, emphasizing comfort over controversy. As debates rage, one thing’s certain: Kim Kardashian and SKIMS aren’t shying from the spotlight, hairy details and all.