Kim Kardashian and the rugged story of celebrities’ clothing in court

CNN
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Kim Kardashian arrived at the Court in the center of Paris earlier this month serene, calm and overflowing in jewels for an estimated value of US $ 8 million. The set was a bold choice, considering that she was appearing in her own trial for robbery, on one of the boldest celebrity robberies in modern history.

He arrived with his mother Kris Jenner to declare against the so -called “grandparents” (suspects between 60 and 70 years old, one of them died before the case came to trial, while another developed Alzheimer Celebrity, who was retained at gunpoint during a trip to Paris in October 2016.

In the trial, Kardashian wore Alaïa sunglasses, her accentuated shape in an old black skirt suit by John Galliano with a pronounced neckline and a large lateral opening. Only Kardashian’s neck was surrounded by more than 52 carats, courtesy of a tear -shaped necklace by Samer Halimeh, which combined with diamond earrings, a bracelet on the 4.55 -caratsi diamond ear ear and a white gold -gold pavé version and Briony Raymond diamonds.

Halimeh’s striking piece was felt as a revenge collar, indicating Kardashian’s unique ability to easily replace millions of dollars in precious jewels. For some on social networks, this served as a gauché reminder of apparently backless wealth. But for the fashion law professor at the University of New York and author of “The Laws of Style”, Douglas Hand, was a symbol of challenge.

“His choice of jewels really underlined the fact that he wants to announce that he is recovering his power after this traumatic event,” Hand to CNN said on the phone. “If I were advising it both from a commercial perspective and from a legal perspective, I think I would like to point out that it is a survivor.”

You should never underestimate the power of a audience room outfit considered carefully. In 2023, when Gwyneth Paltrow was taken to court for a lawsuit for personal injuries for a ski accident, he wore a series of discreet and luxurious looks, such as a Loden coat of The Row, Proenza Schouler pants, Celine boots and several sweaters of his own brand, which influenced the demographic group online in his favor. Several fans turned to social networks to qualify their looks over ten, while some even sought to recreate them at home.

What could easily have become a harmful episode for the brand (Paltrow’s expensive taste for skiing instructors and their decision to give a massage after the accident were key elements of the accusation) surprisingly became a master class on the polite fashion power. In the end, the jury was unanimously put on the Paltow side and declared it innocent.

Similarly, when the author E. Jean Carroll appeared before the Court to declare against the president of the United States, Donald Trump, in 2023, accusing him of sexually abusing her in a Bergdorf Goodman store in 1996, the writer developed a series of decorous dresses in earth in earth tones, elegant jackets and whitish coats, which presented her as the antithes of “Chapuza” that Trump had tried to label her. Despite denying the accusations and publicly insulting Carroll for making the statement, Trump was declared responsible for sexual aggression and Carroll received US $ 5 million in damages. (A year later, there were another US $ 83.3 million per defamation).

On the other hand, celebrities such as Megan Thee Stallion and Cardi B have recruited their usual stylists of the red carpet to help them create cutting looks that still feel authentic for them: elegant tailor suits (without a shirt, however) with sharp Bob -style hair.

According to Hand, the consideration in the courts of the courtroom is not simply an exercise of vanity. “(These outfits) are quite choreographed by any well -advised litigant,” he said. “For high profile litigants, the court’s clothing is usually an attempt to dissipate any appearance of irregularities, whether you are accused of a crime or is wrapped in any unpleasant dispute or divorce.”

The appropriate set can also help promise “a certain degree of credibility,” added Hand. This seems to be the strategy of the music tycoon are “Diddy” Combs, who during his ongoing judgment for federal positions of sexual trafficking and organized crime has avoided all the iterations of male power suits and, instead, he opted for soft sweaters, glasses and gray hair without dyeing. The result, some argue, is a cured image that seems to be far from the alleged crimes. ”Your clothing choices speak before you,” added Hand. “That is incredibly important, particularly in a high -risk situation as a court of justice.”

For almost all the time that celebrities have been violating the law, at least they have dressed for the occasion. In 2002, Winona Ryder came to his trial for theft (she was accused of stealing more than US $ 5,500 in design articles by Saks Fifth Avenue) with a Trapanto point dress by Marc Jacobs that has since passed to the history of fashion since then. His sartorial strategy was clear: Midi skirts and elegant, shed and demure dresses, taken with headbands for youth seriousness.

“How nice to see a defendant overcome the tested and true dark suit and opt for a more modern facade,” Robin Givhan wrote at that time, in an ironic report for Washington Post. Unfortunately, no matter how much his hem will communicate sweetness and light, Ryder was convicted and sentenced to 480 hours of community service. A fine of US $ 3,700 and 36 months of probation.

When the Lil ‘Kim rapper was judged by Perjurio in 2004, he coordinated his vest and striped suit pants with which his lawyer Mel Sachs used. In fact, several of his looks in the court hall were personally presented by Marc Jacobs, a close friend of the artist, who provided him with modest sand costumes and twin sets of Bouclé.

But an emphasis too strong in fashion can also be counterproductive. When Martha Stewart was brought to trial for the use of privileged information in 2004, her choice to use a mink stole and a brown Birkin Birkin bag unleashed the controversy. “The Birkin did little to promote the image of an accessible woman who has fought from her humble roots,” wrote the New York Times that same year. “On the other hand, he consolidated an image of her as a spoiled millionaire who seems willing to snatch money from an average shareholder.”

Meanwhile, when Michael Jackson arrived at the Court in 2005 after being accused of child sexual abuse (then he was acquitted), the pop star appeared dressed in extravagant brocades and dazzling vest jewels, very similar to those used on stage. Ideally, Hand said, celebrities want to aspire to a “sober” outfit that feels “conservative to emphasize reliability.” Anything else runs the risk of sending a message of flagrance, which can quickly sour to jury members.

Earlier this year, the areas of fashion and the application of the law were even more intertwined when the rapper at $ Ap Rocky appeared in a Los Angeles court, accused of two serious crimes of aggression, one of them with a firearm. Rocky, who recently co -challenged the Met 2025 gala, came to his trial looking surprisingly elegant. His waterproof of Gabardina, Chinese wool pants and striped satin shirt with sunglasses was a sophisticated and elegant version of the audience room dress. At first glance, it seemed the type of campaign in the style of the paparazzi that Rocky has starred for the Italian luxury brand Bottega Veneta. A few days later, a press conference distributed to journalists confirmed that Rocky had been dressed from head to toe in Saint Laurent.

When the alert was sent to the media, Rocky, who has now been acquitted of all the charges, was still the main suspect in an ongoing criminal trial. But Saint Laurent did not allow dissuaded by the questionable backdrop, and continued to send multiple releases after each new appearance in the court. He even surprised a senior Fashion Public Relations Executive in London, who said they would advise public relations to avoid sharing attire details and purchase links when the parts have been used in delicate events. “It is not appropriate to be shouting that they use your brand in those contexts,” they said. “It’s bad taste.” (Saint Laurent did not respond to CNN comments).

But the French luxury house is not the only brand that hopes to captivate the free press that comes with very publicized demands. In 2024, Anna Delvey, the “false heiress” of which he was declared guilty large Kelly Cutrone in 2023).

In the case of Kardashian, he did not appear as a person convicted of a crime, but as a true victim. “The appearance of irregularities was not something she needed to address,” said Hand. Instead of sending a message to the judge and the jury, as is usually the objective of a celebrity attire in the courts, Kardashian’s diamonds spoke directly to the public. However, what they really intended to say is not very clear.