Nike x SKIMS launch fizzles in NYC: Kim K collab…
What a SKIM-py turnout.
The much-hyped NikeSKIMS collab dropped in New York City Friday morning — but for all the excitement about Kim Kardashian’s takeover of both the fitness center and the runway, Manhattan didn’t break a sweat.
But Post reporter Marissa Matozzo sure did, braving a barrage of squeezing, tugging, hopping and holding her breath to (sometimes) match into eight items that promised easy exercises — if not easy dressing.
When The Post hit Nike’s Fifth Avenue flagship at 8 a.m., just three loyalists have been braving the early-morning chill for the ten a.m. launch, even though by the seems of the obstacles set up, the store was clearly anticipating many more.
Across the road at the SKIMS store, the depend was even slimmer: two diehard Kardashian devotees staking their declare.
By 9 a.m., the numbers barely budged — two more joined the Nike aspect, 4 at SKIMS. And while the traces finally swelled to about 40 apiece by 9:40 a.m., that’s a far cry from the frenzy that often greets a sizzling drop in this metropolis, where Supreme campers and sneakerheads will sleep on sidewalks for the latest release.
Talk about getting skimmed: When Kim Kardashian’s Nike collab dropped on Fifth Avenue, the traces have been surprisingly lean. Getty Images for SKIMS
Still, the few who did show in the early morning have been die-hards.
“Kimberly is going to take too much of my money today,” laughed Nicole Marie Vee, 23, who trekked from Hudson Yards to the Midtown SKIMS flagship and arrived to wait in line at 9 a.m.
Vee said she had a digital cart full of NikeSKIMS the evening before but ditched it to buy in particular person — and in bulk.
She was swooning over the maroon “wine” units the fashions rocked at the New York Public Library pop-up, calling the shade a personal favourite.
New Yorkers love a line — but when NikeSKIMS hit shops, the frenzy was initially more flat than fashion. Olga Ginzburg for the N.Y. Post
Vee skipped the Nike store line fully, reasoning that “SKIMS is more her [Kim’s] mind,” and discovered herself third in line when she arrived at 9 a.m. — though she admitted she was shocked by the turnout.
“It’s a work day,” she shrugged.
But given the high profile nature of the SKIMS and Nike partnership — Nike’s shares rose 4% of the day of the announcement in February 2025 and Kardashian threw a large launch get together in New York to have fun the gathering — this fizzle of a launch is shocking. Even online, only a few of the objects offered out.
For the SKIMS superfans, however, none of that matter. From Hudson Yards to Westchester, SKIMS loyalists confirmed up prepared to snap pics, stake claims, and make sure they didn’t depart empty-handed.
“I wanted to physically go in the store and take pictures while buying the items rather than getting them online,” said David Paguay, 23, who drove over from Union City, New Jersey, with pals Engy Noeman, 21, and Michael Pina, 21.
Engy Noeman (from left), David Paguay and Michael Pina drove all the best way from Union City, New Jersey, to Fifth Avenue’s Nike House of Innovation just to get their palms on the new NikeSKIMS drops — true believers in Kim’s latest collab. Olga Ginzburg for the N.Y. Post
“I’m here for the brown pilates sets,” Noeman added, praising the sturdiness of SKIMS gear she’s been placing through the wringer for years. Pina highlighted the inclusivity issue: “The size range of SKIMS makes it stand out. A lot of other brands don’t even go up to 2X.”
Not all followers have been purchasing for themselves. Namon Johnson, who received to the SKIMS line at 7 a.m. and was the first in line, admitted he was on a mission for his companion.
“My lady wants these new items as badly as everyone else wants them. To get up early in the morning and come get them for her is what is going to make her happy,” he said, eyeing a burgundy jacket and grey zip-up for her.
Namon Johnson, first in line at the SKIMS flagship by 7 a.m. with a comfortable chair in tow, was on a mission — purchasing for his girl, not himself. Olga Ginzburg for the N.Y. Post
So why choose SKIMS to wait in line over Nike? Diana Marinez, 37, trekked from Westchester to snag her spot at 8:30 a.m. and was second in line.
“Shopping at SKIMS just feels like a girlier, more aesthetically-pleasing experience,” she told The Post, even though the same items have been out there at Nike, where a tiny line of three people didn’t damage her choice either.
Nike and Kardashian are calling this more than a collab — it’s a entire new model. NikeSKIMS, which the businesses say will live on in Nike’s portfolio, guarantees to “redefine women’s activewear without compromise.”
The Post snagged eight items, 4 outfits, and one big query: Is NikeSKIMS meant for the fitness center, the sofa — or just Instagram? Olga Ginzburg for the N.Y. Post
Translation: 58 silhouettes across seven collections of leggings, bras, cargos and more, all supposedly engineered to sculpt, sweat-wick and strut from fitness center to brunch. But some of the designs are provocative: case in level, the leggings with an exterior “thong” design.
The rollout is global, not just Fifth Avenue, and the PR spin is that this is a “system of dress” — suppose layers upon layers, from matte compression fundamentals to shiny “statement” shine.
Kim herself famous in a press release that the road is supposed to “empower athletes,” whether or not you’re working a marathon or just working errands.
Fifty-eight items, seven collections, all engineered to sweat, sculpt and slay — from fitness center grind to brunch grind, matte fundamentals to shiny show-stoppers. Olga Ginzburg for the N.Y. Post
Armed with eight items from the road, The Post performed dress-up, Kardashian-style — piecing together 4 head-to-toe seems that ranged from genuinely wearable to “Who asked for this?”, left us questioning whether or not Kim’s definition of “empowering” includes a wedgie.
NikeSKIMS: Tried, Tested, Tamed
The Side Snaps Pant ($108)
The Post hauled eight items from the NikeSKIMS drop to the workplace and labored them into 5 outfits — half fitness center, half loungewear, and half fashion experiment gone rogue. Olga Ginzburg for the N.Y. Post
The maroon “currant” lounge pant truly delivered — comfortable, flattering, and offered out fast. But its halter-style matching bra? Cute for Instagram, not for the sofa.
The V-Line 26″ Legging ($118)
Obsidian coloration, stable match — but with crotch-pointing seams and a cheeky back, empowerment feels more like publicity. Olga Ginzburg for the N.Y. Post
Snagged in “Obsidian,” these match properly … but why the crotch-arrow seams up entrance and thong highlight out back? Unless “butt emphasis” counts as “athletic empowerment,” the jury’s out.
Four straps, zero give, and a bra so tight on a 36D nearly needed the Jaws of Life — paired with $68 biker shorts that screamed “meh,” not “must-have.”
Olga Ginzburg for the N.Y. Post
The Double Strap Scoop Bra ($58) + Matte Biker Short 5-Inch ($68)
Four pointless straps, zero adjustability and a bizarre layered under-piece. On a 36D body, the bra was so tight the Jaws of Life have been almost needed to get out of it. Hard go.
But, the biker shorts labored positive, although nothing about them screamed $68. Definitely not definitely worth the hype tax.
The Shine High Neck Zip-Up Bra ($64)
Zip-up for “easy on, easy off,” but don’t anticipate any help — this one’s all fashion, zero raise. Olga Ginzburg for the N.Y. Post
Looked glossy, felt like a sports activities bra for ornamental functions only. Zero help, all sizzle.
The Cami Longline Bra ($58) + Shiny Nylon Cargo Pant ($118)
The top: a winner. The ottoms: a sizzling mess of ripped cords and ‘80s MC Hammer nostalgia. Bold, yes, but for all the flawed causes. Olga Ginzburg for the N.Y. Post
The bra is supportive, flattering, and simply the MVP of the tops. Something we’d say Kim and Nike received proper.
However, the “bold statement” pants — sported by Kris Jenner at the gathering’s launch — have been a Hefty bag-esque horror show that resembled a mad mashup between MC Hammer’s tragic ’80s cargo pants and a painter’s tarp. Plus, the waistline ripped the minute the cords have been adjusted to … properly, still match poorly.
Bold assertion, certainly.
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