Kim Kardashian’s Futuristic Balenciaga Era: Pantaleggings, Platforms & SKKN Style Power

Kim Kardashian isn’t just launching beauty brands—she’s redefining the way she steps into them. From sculptural Balenciaga pantaleggings with built-in Knife heels to sky-high platforms that shape her silhouette, Kim continues to merge sleek minimalism with full-glam futurism.

Her SKKN era may spotlight skincare breakthroughs, but her footwear choices remain the through-line: sharp, architectural, and unmistakably Kim.

Here’s everything worth seeing—from “Future Alien Barbie” fashion to the shoes that make the look.

In 2022, Kim Kardashian expanded her business portfolio with SKKN by Kim, a nine-step vegan, cruelty-free skincare line developed with celebrity aesthetician Joanna Czech. Instead of flashy packaging, she opted for neutral-toned, refillable bottles with a sculptural, minimalist look, shaped in part by her ex-husband, Kanye West, and echoing Skims’ design language.

Her long battle with psoriasis became the catalyst for the brand, with Kim explaining that years of working with top dermatologists and estheticians inspired her to distill what truly worked for her into a streamlined routine she could share with others.

Balenciaga Pantaleggings: Futuristic Style at Condé Nast

On June 21, 2022, the wealthiest of the Kardashians dropped by Condé Nast’s New York headquarters at One World Trade Center to promote her new beauty venture.

Never afraid to make a bold fashion statement, the media personality arrived in a futuristic-looking outfit that showcased her slimmer waist.

She wore a Re/Done 1960s slim white tee with a back knot that created a cropped effect, paired with a pair of skintight Balenciaga pantaleggings from the Spring 2018 Ready-to-Wear collection.

Kim Kardashian turns heads in a Re/Done cropped white tee and Balenciaga Spring 2018 pantaleggings, complete with the brand’s sleek built-in Knife heels (Credit: Roger Wong / INSTARimages)

A pair of the signature Knife pumps was hidden underneath her trousers, which had red, white, and blue panels, a “Balenciaga” text on one leg, and the house’s Paris store address on the other.

Wearing her sleek, middle-parted platinum blonde tresses, Kim carried a crystal-embellished Balenciaga Le Cagole Xs shoulder bag and rounded out her space-age look with rectangular Balenciaga sunnies.

Becoming a Balenciaga brand ambassador in January 2024—following in the footsteps of Michelle Yeoh and Isabelle Huppert, who were announced in 2023—Kim has praised the house’s “innovative approach to design, modernity, and craftsmanship” under creative director Demna.

Kim x Balenciaga: Her Ambassadorship & Iconic Looks

Kim Kardashian keeps the look futuristic with space-age rectangular Balenciaga sunglasses (Credit: Roger Wong / INSTARimages)

Future Alien Barbie: Defining Kim’s Signature Aesthetic

The business mogul sat down with Allure Editor-in-Chief Jessica Cruel to discuss her billion-dollar business empire and her current personal style, which she described as “Future Alien Barbie.”

Kim also admitted that she struggles to dress herself casually, but is “trying to get better at that,” and added that she’s “having more fun” being blonde again.

Embodying her self-described “Future Alien Barbie” aesthetic, Kim Kardashian steps out in patriotic Balenciaga pantaleggings that showcase integrated, futuristic high heels (Credit: Roger Wong / INSTARimages)

Marilyn Moment: Weight Loss, Criticism & Met Gala Drama

The mom-of-four also opened up about the backlash she received for losing 16 pounds in three weeks just to fit into Marilyn Monroe’s iconic Happy Birthday, Mr. President gown for the 2022 Met Gala.

“There was a lot of outrage that I had lost weight for that [dress]. I still support my decision because I just started eating way healthier. I consulted with a nutritionist and my trainer.”

Embracing a challenging “role” for the 2022 Met Gala, Kim Kardashian faced backlash for losing 16 pounds to fit into Marilyn Monroe’s iconic “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” dress, completing the look with discreet platform heels (Credit: PA Images / INSTARimages)

Earlier in the day, Kim appeared on The Today Show, where the hosts revisited the conversation surrounding her decision to slim down to fit into Marilyn Monroe’s historic gown for the Met Gala.

When asked about rumors that the dress had been damaged, Kim clarified that Ripley’s had handled the garment with extreme care and confirmed that no harm had come to the piece. She explained that preparing for the look prompted her to rethink certain lifestyle habits, adding that she has since focused on healthier routines.

The segment kept the spotlight on the controversy surrounding the dress and Kim’s collaboration with Ripley’s, offering additional insight into one of the year’s most talked-about fashion moments—without overshadowing the night’s iconic styling.

Sleek in Black: Kim Kardashian’s Balenciaga Bodysuit & Ankle-Boot Street Style

Following her appearance on The Today Show, Kim was pictured leaving her NYC hotel on her way to visit The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, with her two sons, Saint and Psalm, in tow.

Showing her much slimmer figure, the American media personality wore a skintight black spandex bodysuit from Balenciaga’s Fall 2022 collection.

Kim Kardashian steps out in a skintight Balenciaga bodysuit paired with the brand’s sharp black ankle boots while heading to The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to promote SKKN by Kim (Credit: John Eddy / INSTARimages)

She let her famous assets do the talking, skipping accessories in favor of rectangular black sunglasses and black ankle boots.

Wearing her long platinum tresses in loose waves, Kim rounded out her look with a crystal-embellished Balenciaga bag and a swipe of her signature matte nude lipstick.

Kim Kardashian wears her long platinum hair in waves and glams up with her signature matte nude lipstick (Credit: John Eddy / INSTARimages)

Footwear Icons: Knife Boots, Stuart Weitzman, Pleasers & More

Before diving into her most unforgettable shoe moments, it’s worth noting how consistently Kim turns footwear into a defining element of her aesthetic—whether she’s elevating monochrome looks with razor-sharp stilettos or leaning into sculptural silhouettes that blur the line between fashion and futurism.