WHEN news broke that Kim Kardashian had been robbed at gunpoint by a group of men who burst into her hotel room in October 2016, it sent shockwaves through the world.
The seemingly-untouchable star, who was at the height of her popularity, was staying at Hôtel de Pourtalès during , a celebrity favourite due to its discreet location in the capital city of France.
The robbers were after one thing – her impressive , which included her brand new ‘second engagement ring’ worth £3.7 million.
In the wake of the heist, Kim, 44, said she wasn’t sure if she’d ever wear real or expensive jewellery again.
So, fans were shocked to see her dripping in diamonds – including an anklet, replica of the stolen ring and earring stack.
It shouldn’t be too much of a shock, though, according to one fashion expert, who believes that the Kardashian-Jenner family “never fails to create a spectacle whether it is on the catwalk or in court”;;.
Kim had been gifted the huge £3.7 million diamond band a month prior to the robbery by her ex-husband and father to her four children, .
She had been proudly posting herself wearing her new gem on Snapchat in the months leading up to her trip to , and was also pictured with it on in public.
A gang of thieves had their eyes on the impressive jewel, and dressed as cops to gain access to Kim’s hotel, where they threatened and handcuffed the concierge-security guard on duty and demanded he take them to her room.
The robbers entered her suite as she was lying on her bed and forced the concierge to act as an interpreter, who told Kim to hand over her engagement ring.
The men, holding guns, tied Kim up with zip ties and duct tape before placing her in the bathroom to ransack her suite for more valuables and money.
The armed thieves made off with over £8.5 million worth of jewellery, , as well as €1,000 in cash.
After the attack, Kim said she wasn’t sure if she’d ever wear expensive jewellery again.
“I was definitely materialistic before... I just don’t care about that stuff any more,”;; she said during an interview on in April 2017. “It’s just not worth it, I don’t care about that stuff, I don’t care to show off the way that I used to.
“It’s okay if you’re proud of that... It’s just not who I am anymore. That’s not to say that I’ll never wear jewellery again, or anything like that.I truly don’t know if I’d ever feel comfortable. I truly don’t know if I’d ever wear real jewellery again.”;;
Fast forward nine years since the terrifying diamond heist, Kim has the answer to that question – yes.
The reality TV star turned up to the French courtroom dripping in diamonds – and even had a replica of the stolen £3.7 million ring on.
She ascended the steps into the Assize Court wearing a power-shouldered skirt suit from John Galliano.
This was paired with a diamond anklet, a diamond Samer Halimeh necklace and a stack of diamond Repossi and Briony Raymond earrings.
Why would she do that? To send a message of power, says Alison Lowe MBE, fashion consultant and course leader of MBA Fashion Entrepreneurship at the University of East London.
Kim has turned the courtroom into her personal stage, creating a look that reclaims her power and presents a calculated statement. By wearing diamonds in court she isn’t just presenting fashion – she is declaring evidence
Alison Lowe MBEfashion expert
“Kim has turned the courtroom into her personal stage, creating a look that reclaims her power and presents a calculated statement,”;; Lowe says.
“By wearing diamonds in court she isn’t just presenting fashion – she is declaring evidence.
“She is subtly showing the court the very premise of the case: that wearing high-value jewellery is, and always has been, part of her daily life.
“Her court attire serves to underscore that her diamonds and expensive pieces are part of her public persona and that there’s nothing unusual about her having worn millions in jewels that night in 2016.”;;
‘Flaunting her wealth’
Following the robbery, critics slammed Kim for “flaunting her wealth”;; – and even said she was “inviting”;; criminals by showcasing just how much she had and being “too flashy”;;
That includes designer Karl Lagerfeld who told the Associated Press she was “too public”;; with her jewellery, adding: “You cannot display your wealth then be surprised that some people want to share it.”;;
In the wake of the diamond heist, Kim’s style took an undeniable turn. It was toned down, and she was rarely seen with any form of jewellery on, let alone big rocks.
Loew comments: “There is an irony in her wearing diamonds as following the Paris robbery she declared she was no longer going to flaunt her wealth and would step back from over the top ostentatious displays.
“However, here she is, back in Paris in traditional Kim K style.
“Some may comment that she is now wearing her diamonds as a form of armour, or a badge of honour to show the world that she has survived and is reclaiming her power.
“My personal opinion is that the Kardashian-Jenner family never fails to create a spectacle whether it is on the catwalk or in court.
“The ‘brand’ is always top priority.”;;
