With just over a year of designing Good American under their belts, Khloe Kardashian and Emma Grede have solidified their places in the denim market and their reputations as women who truly champion size inclusivity in the fashion world. Yesterday in New York City, the duo brought a group of editors together for a Q&A hosted by Good American Squad member and model Leomie Anderson to discuss the brand’s journey, learning from mistakes, and how they spread the message of body positivity to the men in their lives. Read on for more highlights from the conversation.
Both Grade and Kardashian knew Good American would make an impact but didn’t know how big it would be: “We knew there was such a need for the type of product we do, but definitely didn’t see the whole shift in the retail landscape,” shared Grade. “Nordstrom really credited Good American with their change in their entire retail strategy. They’ve gone out to every brand to ask them to do extended sizing, and they’ve changed the way they merchandise, they’ve changed their mannequins, and that’s going to be rolled out across the country.” Added Kardashian, “Normally you don’t want competition, but in this aspect bring on some friendly competition. Bring in the inclusivity and sizing. Let’s have competition in that regard. I’m all for it.”
Khloe credits her family for her body confidence: “I never knew I wasn’t an ‘ideal weight’ growing up,” the youngest Kardashian sister shared. “My family never made me feel less than. My sister, my mom, my dad—we all looked different, but no one ever made me feel like I was chubby. I didn’t know that I was bigger or different from them, I guess, until we started doing our TV show. I was in the public eye, and people were able to pick me apart. That’s when I was like, oh, I guess I’m chubby or bigger than them. I really commend my mom and sisters for never making me feel less than [them]. Everyone always asks, ‘how do you so much confidence?” and I say, “ I don’t know, I guess it’s the household I grew up in. I was allowed to wear the body-con Herve dresses that my sister wore. I didn’t feel like I was too big to wear them. I was like, I look cute! I was all for it.”
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Good American’s success comes from being more than just a product line: Said Grade, “I think people want brands that have a purpose. People need to feel that you’re more than just the some of your parts, more than just a pair of pants,s and I think people feel a lot of pride when they say I’m in Good American, I’m an empowered woman.” She adds, “People want to be surrounded by positivist,y and we are the ultimate positive woman brand. That is what we do. People smell bullshit. They know when it’s not real. And we were really walking the walk and talking the talk.”
Khloe is the mastermind behind the latest iconic Kris Kardashian meme: When Anderson mentioned she loved Kris’ new hai,r Khloe replied: O,h the blond? She was so drunk in London. I actually love her like that. I did get her down,k, though.
The best piece of business advice Grede’s ever received: “It’s from my husband. He told me, make a decision n and move on. You’re going to make good decisions, you’re going to make bad decisions, but the most important thing is to make a decision. Be decisive about things.”
The best piece of business advice Khloe can give: “You’re always going to hear no, so be prepared for that,” shared Kardashian. “If you’re not confident or secure enough in whatever your business is to hear no a million times, then you have to believe in yourself. No one is going to just hand you anything. I hear no all the time. Nordstrom wasn’t giving us this place. We had to prove why we deserve to be on the floor with the rest of them. And we do.”