Khy, “high body count hair” and gatekeeping as the new normal

Does anyone even care about the Kar-Jenners anymore?

Howdy!

Feeling relaxed, sunkissed + ready to head back to the UK

Is it just me or has this month felt really long? I’m absolutely not complaining. There’s not much I love more than the quiet and peace of Melbourne in January. People are still away on their summer breaks. And those who have returned are keeping it quiet to soak up that “I’m still on vacation feeling”.

Personally, it’s been a pretty lowkey final week here. I’ve shipped one 30kg of luggage across to London in lieu of my imminent return. I’ve had big sleep-ins, slow walks, and indulged in the final catch-ups with family and friends. A bunch of work has already kicked off for the year, so I’ve, of course, been reading, purveying and observing what’s happening in the culture to parlay into, and influence, my creative projects.

I’m sure I’ll do a proper Australian-summer-round up in due time. But for right now, let’s get straight into it.

Agenda for today’s letter:

1. Troubles at Khy (unsurprisingly)

2. “High body count hair”; and

3. Gatekeeping as the new normal

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Troubles at Khy (unsurprisingly)

Does anyone even care about the Kar-Jenners anymore?

I am lowkey obsessed with these collab campaign images of Khy x Entire Studios. But aside from these visuals, there’s not much else that inspires any desire to buy from the brand…

I am the first to admit that I have been long fascinated with the Kar-Jenner’s business empire. Despite what they would have you believe, I’ve always wondered as to the genuine success of their ventures. Of course, there’s no denying that they’re rich. Billionaires, or close there of.

But upon closer inspection, and despite what they would have us believe, not everything they touch turns to gold. In the past 5 years alone, the Kar Jenner clan have launched a slew of businesses: from Poosh to Skims to KKW Beauty to Grandeza Hot Sauce and Kylie Swim.

Of course, there are the obvious successes. Skims is an absolute powerhouse, allegedly eyeing a potential IPO. Good American, 818, and even Kourtney’s Lemme brand has found its feet and success.

But let’s not forget the plight of Kylie Swim and their ‘see-through’ range of bikinis. Many of us aren’t even aware of Safely, Kris Jenner’s cleaning line. And Skky Partners, Kim’s private equity firm has struggled to hit its targets. (It was reported late last year that Kim has actually stepped away from this venture… case in point).

A recent reddit vibe check on Safely…

And now, it appears Khy may be following much the same trajectory. As Lauren Sherman reports for Puck, “while it’s a good little business (I’d estimate sub-$30 million more than a year after launch, although the company declined to share figures), Khy has yet to pop—likely the result of a lack of demand and early production hiccups that led to some initial poor reviews.”

Personally, I haven’t heard much about Khy since its initial launch. While the Kar-Jenner camp claimed the brand “made $1m in its first hour of launch,” it’s hard to believe the brand has sustained those kinds of sales, given how little it has penetrated culture.

And while they are still hard at work to position Kylie as a fashion girl, and are dropping collabs with genuinely cool brands, Khy appears to be coming up short.

Only time will tell as to whether they can turn it around…

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“High body count hair”

Classism in beauty has reached fever-pitch

Angie Katsanevas - queen of the iconic insult

Anyone who knows me knows that I am Real Housewives stan. One of the most iconic reads from this season of Salt Lake City - and probably from all the seasons combined - was by Angie Katsanevas to Britani Bateman. In it, Angie claims that Britani has “high body count hair”. Otherwise known as, hair that looks “a little pornish”.

Obvious jokes aside, there is an interesting trend afoot worth exploring. Beauty has typically been a trait considered by society that elevates one’s status. Beauty is something that creates a privilege (whether it’s being seen as more trustworthy, more likeable, or just someone that other people want to be around).

@hayusocialThat's high body count hair. A new episode of #RHOSLC is here!

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And yet, in today’s society, with the proliferation of cosmetic work, it appears that beauty doesn’t just create a privilege. It is a privilege. One that can be bought to multiply success and catapult value for any of us who desire it.