Kate Moss goes topless for Kim Kardashian’s underwear brand: inside their unlikely friendship

Seven years after becoming unlikely pals, Kate Moss and Kim Kardashian West have turned their mutual admiration into a risqué joint collaboration.

Kate has been named the new face of Kim’s underwear brand, Skims, with the reality TV star hailing her pal as "THE fashion icon".

Kim says she’s honoured to have the veteran supermodel representing her brand. 

Kim Kardashian recently unveiled Kate Moss as ambassador for her shapewear brand with her 'style icon' posing topless in the campaign stills. (PHOTO: Donna Trope / Skims / BEEM / MAGAZINEFEATURES.CO.ZA)

"I first met Kate in 2014 through [designer] Riccardo Tisci and was instantly struck by her cheeky humour and her authentic and classic beauty. We've been friends ever since,” she says.

Kim adds she deliberately pared down her Skims campaign to “keep the focus on Kate”.

The ad campaign, shot by Donna Trope, shows the 47-year-old model rocking some of SKIMS’ best-selling designs, including the Cotton Rib Bralette and Brief as well as the Fits Everybody Scoop Neck bra. (PHOTO: Donna Trope / Skims / BEEM / MAGAZINEFEATURES.CO.ZA)

“She’s a force in her own right with such a strong presence, so we kept the set and background neutral to make sure that really came through.

"It’s 100% Kate being Kate – she’s the best in the business for a reason.”

Although Skims has run previous television ads, this is the first that doesn’t feature Kim, who launched the brand in 2019. (PHOTO: Donna Trope / Skims / BEEM / MAGAZINEFEATURES.CO.ZA)

And even though Kate has fronted campaigns for numerous designer brands, she relished the opportunity to pose for Kim’s luxury underwear brand. 

“I’ve been a fan of Skims since day one,” the 47-year-old model says in a statement.

“What Kim is doing with the brand is so fresh and modern, making underwear women actually want and that fits perfectly. I wear it, my daughter wears it — even my mum wears it.”

The iconic British supermodel posed for the reality star's brand in several incredible images shared to the business' Instagram page. (PHOTO: Donna Trope / Skims / BEEM / MAGAZINEFEATURES.CO.ZA)

The announcement and release of the campaign, which includes stills and a TV ad, comes less than two weeks after the two women were spotted touring the Vatican together in Rome.

Kate and Kim, who were joined by Kate’s model daughter, Lila Grace (18), enjoyed a private two-and-a-half-hour tour of the Sistine Chapel and St Peter’s Basilica as well as private views of Michelangelo’s art and an archive of robes dating back to 1500. 

"They all seemed like good friends who had plenty to talk about," an eyewitness says. 

"They spent lots of time learning the history and admiring all the beautiful details. They stopped to take photos of Michelangelo's artwork and they then entered St Peter's Basilica where they watched mass. They seemed to enjoy the incredible beauty of the Vatican and paused many times to take it all in."

For the tour of the Vatican in Rome, Kim donned a sheer design by Victor Barragán, while Kate was more modestly attired in a respectful black knee-length skirt and black shirt. (PHOTO: Instagram / @kimkardashian)

Despite the turmoil in Kim’s personal life (her pending divorce from rapper Kanye West), things are looking up for her on the professional front.

Skims was recently selected as the official undergarments for female delegates of Team USA at the Tokyo Olympics, which starts on 23 July.

The collection, which dropped on 12 July, is almost sold out. 

Kim also recently revealed she'll be closing down the website dedicated to her makeup line, KKW Beauty, on 1 August to relaunch a more modern, sustainable, innovative look for the brand.

The rebrand is being driven by a deal Kim made with Coty – the beauty house bought a 20% share in the enterprise for a whopping $200 million.

SOURCES: EONLINE.COM, PEOPLE.COM, WMAGAZINE.COM, STANDARD.CO.UK, PAGESIX.COM