Kim Kardashian’s Skims vs. Khloé Kardashian’s Good American: The Truth Behind Their “Made in America” Claims

The Kardashian-Jenner clan is no stranger to controversy in every aspect of their lives.

In addition to their long-running reality television show, Keeping Up With the Kardashians, all of the Kardashian sisters have found success with their business ventures: Kim has SKKN BY KIM and a mobile game; Kylie has the wildly successful Kylie Cosmetics and Kylie Skin lines; Kourtney runs a lifestyle company, Poosh; Khloe released a health line along with her show, Revenge Body; Kendall has her brand of tequila; the list goes on (and on, and on…).

1. Khloé Kardashian’s Oversized Good American Hoodie & Louboutin Booties

In October 2017, the reality star attended a special pop-up event for Good American alongside co-founder Emma Grede, where she embraced a laid-back, oversized look from her label.

Emma Grede and Khloé Kardashian, co-founders of inclusive fashion label Good American, showcase casual streetwear looks with oversized black logo hoodies and sleek pointed-toe footwear at a VFILES event (Credit: Derrick Salters / WENN)

Khloé wore a star-print hoodie from the upcoming Goodies capsule collection, styled as a mini dress. The roomy fit was fashion-forward and practical, allowing her to maintain her signature style while opting for comfort.

She completed the look with black Christian Louboutin So Kate suede booties, adding a sleek, high-end touch to her casual ensemble. Mid-calf white socks offered an unexpected sporty accent to the outfit.

2. Manufacturing Controversy: Good American & Skims Under Fire

Two of these business forays, Khloe’s denim brand, Good American, and Kim’s shapewear company, Skims, have come under fire due to the location where the clothes are made.

The controversy began in 2018 when it was revealed that the Good American brand might not be so American. When Khloe’s denim brand debuted in 2016, she proudly announced that all the jeans were 100% American-made.

The brand found quick success, becoming the most successful denim launch in history, making $1 million on release day.

The Good American website said the jeans were “Made in Los Angeles.” The statement continued: “GOOD AMERICAN is dedicated to having a positive impact on the community. Pledging to sustain the manufacturing of jeans in the United States and supporting charities that empower girls to realize their true potential.”

Kim Kardashian in a flesh-toned bra and panties set from her SKIMS cotton collection in a billboard advertisement in New York City on June 20, 2021 (Credit: MEGA / WENN)

3. Good American Drops “100% American-Made” Promise: Outsourcing Explained

Good American jeans are not cheap—prices range from $99 to $250 at Nordstrom—but the reasoning was that American-made jeans are more expensive because the labor is not being outsourced.

However, internet sleuths found that the brand was not entirely American. The jeans were constructed in the United States, but the materials were imported from across the globe.

In 2018, the company revealed that it was ditching its pledge to be “100% American-made.” Moving forward, many of the products were outsourced for manufacturing.

Founder and CEO of Good American Emma Grede (right) keeps it sleek in an oversized logo tee, black leggings, and blazer, while fashion designer Leomie Anderson (left) pairs a navy cinched-waist sweatshirt with skinny jeans and red-and-white Off-White x Nike sneakers at the Good American x VFILES event (Credit: Derrick Salters / WENN)

4. Fan Backlash: Good American and Skims Face Transparency Issues

“When we decided that for reasons of cost, which is a top priority for our customer, we were going to start making some things overseas. Because our name is Good American, we saw the irony,” said Good American’s co-founder Emma Grede, the daughter of immigrants from Jamaica and Trinidad.

“We pulled some ad space, posted to our Instagram and Facebook, and said, ‘This is what we’re doing, we won’t just sneak a label that said it was made in Turkey or China.’ We got very little backlash.”

Despite efforts at transparency, backlash followed as fans criticized the brand for abandoning its American-made promise and outsourcing to Turkey.

Some questioned the decision given Khloé Kardashian’s Armenian heritage, referencing the historical genocide that impacted her ancestors.

One customer even shared a photo of their jeans’ tag on social media, highlighting the contradiction: “Good American but made in Turkey.”

Khloé Kardashian models her Good American maternity jeans, part of her denim brand that has faced controversy for outsourcing production to Turkey (Credit: WENN)

Kim Kardashian has publicly supported the Armenian community, even urging the U.S. government to recognize the Armenian genocide.

Given her heritage, fans were surprised to learn that some Skims products were manufactured in Turkey. One customer shared a product tag on social media, questioning the decision and calling for a boycott of Turkish-made products.

Kim Kardashian’s Skims shapewear, modeled here in a signature neutral palette, has faced criticism for outsourcing production to Turkey despite her Armenian heritage (Credit: Skims)

The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) also weighed in, first thanking Kim for her advocacy before urging her to move Skims production to Armenia, citing the country’s skilled craftsmanship and manufacturing capabilities.

The Armenian National Committee of America asks Kim Kardashian to stop producing Skims shapewear in Turkey (Credit: Twitter)

Kim later addressed the controversy on social media, explaining that Skims sourced materials globally to ensure the highest quality, with some manufacturing partners located in Turkey.

She emphasized that the brand does not discriminate based on a country’s past and focused on selecting the best production options available.

Kim Kardashian later admitted she was initially unaware that some Skims shapewear products were being manufactured in Turkey, despite her brand’s global expansion (Credit: WENN/Avalon)

Kim later said she would consider moving production to Armenia, tweeting, “I will be visiting Armenia in the next 2 weeks and hope to seek ways I can help increase trade and hopefully create jobs for Armenians which includes @skims production there in the future.”

She followed through on this pledge. In an October 2019 interview with Reuters, Kim discussed plans to invest in Armenia and explore opening a local factory. She also admitted she was not initially involved in Skims’ production decisions, explaining that she selected products based on quality without initially asking where they were made.

Unless money is involved, Kris Jenner, Kourtney Kardashian, Khloé Kardashian, and Kim Kardashian West seem to care about the Armenian genocide (Credit: Nicky Nelson / WENN)

If the political blunders of Good American and Skims prove anything, the Kardashians are only concerned about one thing: dollar signs.

In May 2017, the Kardashian sisters stepped out in stylish heels to celebrate Cinco de Mayo at Casa Vega restaurant. Khloe, Kourtney, and Kim served casual looks paired with sexy shoes from DSquared2, Gucci, and Yeezy.

5. Khloé Kardashian’s Good American Skinny Jeans & DSquared2 ‘Riri’ Sandals

The then-32-year-old reality star and entrepreneur looked like a walking advertisement for her Good American label.

Khloé Kardashian in a white long-sleeved top, Good American “Good Waist Crop” jeans, and DSquared2 “Riri” sandals in light blue water snakeskin (Credit: WENN / Michael Wright)

Khloe donned a white long-sleeved top tucked into tight high-waisted jeans that displayed her curves. She wore the “Good Waist Crop” jeans, which feature a gap-proof waistband, light-wash denim, and an ultra-skinny fit.

O.J. Simpson’s rumored daughter styled them with a skinny brown belt, Porsche Design aviator sunglasses, and DSquared2 “Riri” sandals.

Khloé Kardashian wears tight high-waisted jeans outside Casa Vega restaurant in Indio, California, on May 6, 2017 (Credit: WENN / Michael Wright)

Khloé’s “Riri” sandals come in a light blue water snakeskin and feature open toes, branded insoles, lace-up fastenings, and slender stiletto heels.

A few days before her Casa Vega lunch date with her sisters, Khloe strolled through LAX in Gianvito Rossi boots.

Khloé Kardashian pairs a long black coat with a distressed top and skinny jeans (Credit: WENN / Michael Wright)

She styled them with a long black coat over a distressed top and skinny jeans.

Khloé Kardashian wearing an all-black ensemble with Gianvito Rossi suede over-the-knee boots (Credit: WENN / Michael Wright)

The “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” star also accessorized with Porsche Design aviator shades and a Louis Vuitton backpack.

Khloé Kardashian rocks Porsche Design aviator sunglasses and a Louis Vuitton backpack (Credit: WENN / Michael Wright)

Khloé Kardashian in knee-high Gianvito Rossi black suede boots (Credit: WENN / Michael Wright)

Khloé Kardashian in black boots at Los Angeles International Airport on April 29, 2017 (Credit: WENN / Michael Wright)

Her Gianvito Rossi over-the-knee suede boots feature pointed toes, concealed side zip closures, and covered stiletto heels.

Gianvito Rossi Suede Cuissard Boots, $2,095

7. Kourtney Kardashian’s House of CB Bodysuit & Gucci Red Sandals

Meanwhile, Kourtney went braless with her sisters during her Cinco de Mayo lunch date.

Kourtney Kardashian in a House of CB “Luca” bodysuit outside Casa Vega restaurant in Indio, California, on May 6, 2017 (Credit: WENN / Michael Wright)

She wore the House of CB “Luca” bodysuit, which features a sleeveless design, a seamless fit, and a low back. Kourtney tucked it into her silk Gucci trousers.

Kourtney Kardashian wearing a House of CB “Luca” bodysuit, Gucci silk pants, and Gucci red patent leather sandals (Credit: WENN / Michael Wright)

These off-white pants feature an elasticated waistband, a straight-leg silhouette, and a relaxed fit. They also have the luxury brand’s signature green and red stripes on the sides.

Kourtney Kardashian shows off her feet in Gucci red patent leather sandals (Credit: WENN / Michael Wright)

The television personality and businesswoman punctuated her look with red Gucci sandals. Her open-toed shoes feature glossy patent leather, slender straps, and high stiletto heels.

8. Kim Kardashian’s Levi’s Skinny Jeans & Yeezy Season 4 Lace-Up Boots

Kim’s look flaunted her assets and proudly showed off her husband’s Yeezy Season 4 lace-up boots.

Kim Kardashian wears a sleeveless top while getting into her car (Credit: WENN / Michael Wright)

Like Kourtney, she went braless in a tight black sleeveless top tucked into Levi’s skinny jeans.

Kim Kardashian in sexy tight jeans outside Casa Vega restaurant in Indio, California, on May 6, 2017 (Credit: WENN / Michael Wright)

Although her shoes aren’t visible in the photos, she wore the Yeezy Season 4 stretch canvas boots in black suede. These shoes feature pointed toes, covered stiletto heels, tonal hardware, and a lace-up design.