The controversial pic wearing Kiwi activewear brand 2XU.
The controversial pic wearing Kiwi activewear brand 2XU.
Like her or loathe her, if Kim Kardashian wears your brand, it's safe to say you've hit the big time.
The 37-year-old has shared a photo - which has sparked huge debate - of herself in a pair of bike shorts from sportswear company 2XU, founded by a Kiwi andtwo Australians.
While the internet rages over whether or not the image is appropriate - Kardashian is in the process of removing her bra when daughter, North, captures the shot - it's also a coup for 2XU, given the reality TV star has 107 million followers on Instagram alone.
And it's not the first time the brand, started up by a trio that includes former Kiwi triathlete Jamie Hunt, has had something to do with the mega star.
Last year Hunt and his team were called upon by Kardashian's husband, rapper Kanye West, to feature their product in his Yeezy 5 fashion show.
Hunt told Newstalk ZB West got in touch just 10 days before the event.
"We got an email, saying 'Kanye owns some of your product', which was a shock," he told Newstalk ZB.
Kim K has shared a snap of herself in sportswear brand 2XU. Photo / Getty Images
"They said 'he loves your design aesthetic, and the lines on your garments, and would love to have one of your products on the catwalk for his fashion show in New York.
"We had 10 days to design it, get it manufactured in Asia, and then shipped to New York."
The result was a 2XU compression wetsuit that West paired with heeled boots and an oversized, preppy cardigan.
2XU in the Yeezy 5 show. Photo / 2XU
While Hunt knew who Kanye was, he said at the time he hadn't anticipated just how big the exposure would be.
"Honestly, I'm a 44-year-old father of three daughters, so I know who he is but I didn't realise how big it actually was.
"When it came out I was having dinner with my daughters, and the first things they posted on Facebook was 'Dad we're so proud of you'.
"After all the things I've done in my life, they're finally proud of me because of this one thing,"
And while 2XU is now focusing on deals with other "massive" names, in the year since the label appeared on the Yeezy runway, it appears Mrs Kardashian-West has taken quite a liking to the brand. She's been spotted numerous times sporting the active wear for all her "fitspo" followers to see.
Kim wearing another pair of 2XU workout pants. Photo / Snapchat
Kim under fire over topless snap by North
Social media users have taken offence to the image of Kim Kardashian posing in bike shorts as she removes her bra.
It seems the issue is not so much with the photo but the fact that it was snapped by her daughter, 4-year-old North West.
Some social media users deemed the image "distasteful" and questioned the mother-of-three on her "inappropriate" choice of photographer for such an shot.
"I can't imagine asking my daughter to take a provocative photo of me. This is pretty distasteful seeing as a child took it," wrote user Stacyoglesby.
"Jesus Kim you've really stooped now haven't you," wrote Instagram user daaadd21, "The last thing your daughter should be taking pictures of is you taking your bra off. Way to teach em young."
