By John Coyle

Editor

The next stop on the DUB Tour isn't until May 17th, when the crew will roll into Atlanta. Sure, it's a little bit of a break, but every once in a while, the crew needs to spend a little time at home in the Golden State. Don't worry, though, they've hooked us up with some exclusive content to tide you over until we post coverage from the stop in the Dirty South. Check out Kristie Bertucci's interview with Kim Kardashian—and a bunch more pictures—after the jump. And if you think you've got what it takes to shine in the thick, glossy pages of DUB, make sure to check out the contest we're running. We already have one finalist, and who knows, you could be next!

Kim Kardashian: The Fashionista Princess
Words: Kristie Bertucci
Photos: Elle G.

Kim Kardashian is not your average trust-fund kid from Beverly Hills, California. Just because she is the second-eldest daughter of the late O.J. Simpson attorney, Robert Kardashian, and a step-daughter of 1976 Olympic Games decathlon gold medalist Bruce Jenner, doesn’t mean all she does with her days is sit around the pool and go shopping. Okay, maybe she shops, but only because it’s her job. Yes, I said job.

Despite growing up in a world of immense privilege in what is quoted on her official website as “an almost fairytale childhood,” Kim Kardashian has actually been working since she was 16 years old with her father’s company, Movie Tunes.

“I find it funny when people just see me as being one of those rich kids,” she said. “I stopped getting money from my parents when I turned 18-years-old. There’s more to me than that; I’m a sister, a daughter and…fashionista.”

With the inherited entrepreneurial spirit from her father and a passion for fashion, Kim started her own celebrity styling business. Her first styling stint was for best friend Brandy Norwood when she was asked to style for her promotional tour for Afrodisiac (Atlantic Records, 2004).

“I thought she was kidding but then I got a call from her record label saying that I only had a week to style Brandy and all her backup dancers for the tour,” she said. “It gave me an amazing opportunity to get into the business I loved, and I never left it.”

She now has a successful business as Hollywood’s go-to girl for closet makeovers, where she dissects celebrity closets and even sells their outdated clothing on eBay. “My first closet makeover was for my godmother’s closet,” she said. “I also sold $25,000-worth of her old clothes and she took that money and placed it on a down payment for a Mercedes.”

In June 2006, Kim and two of her younger sisters opened up their own upscale clothing boutique in Calabasas, California titled “DASH” after their last name.

“My sister opened up a children’s store three years ago and when a space became available next to it, we jumped at the opportunity to open up an upscale clothing boutique,” she explained. “It was a dream of mine.”

With her store already a hot spot among her celebrity friends, like Paris Hilton, Kim is also working on designing her own clothing line.

“So far, designing is the most exciting thing I’ve done,” she said. “I have a vision of what I want [the clothes] to look like in my mind and it’s fun to see it come alive on paper.”

Aside from her store and upcoming clothing line, Kim is also pursuing an acting career and even walked the runway at L.A.’s fashion week in March.

“I was approached by Nickelodeon’s Teen Channel, The N, to film four episodes for their ‘Beyond the Break’ series in Hawaii,” Kim said. “I was really nervous, but they got an acting coach for me and after we started filming, I became more and more comfortable with being in front of the camera.”

Prior to flying to Hawaii, Kim made an appearance in Fall Out Boy’s “Thanks for the Memories” music video.

“I’m friends with the guys and I think it helped prep me for the show,” Kim said. “Acting is definitely something I plan to explore, and I have several projects in the works.”

Since Kim compares her childhood to a fairytale, it would only make sense that she considers herself a princess, but instead of a royal horse-drawn carriage, Kim parades around L.A. in her white 2007 Range Rover Supercharged complete with pink “princess” logos on the wheel’s center caps, pink emblems and color matched pink Brembo brake calipers.

The wheels are 24x10-inch Platinum PT1s laced with Cooper Zeon XST 295/35R24 tires. The Range’s original grille was replaced with a custom white-and-pink grille by Strut and all exterior body components were painted white to match the overall exterior of this rolling status symbol. Platinum Motorsports also provided Kim’s pink Range with a fully customized exhaust system.

Listening to her favorite tunes in style (as only a princess would), her audio system boasts two JL Audio 500/1 and one 300/4 amps, two 12-inch W6-V2 subwoofers, and two pairs of 6.5-inch component speakers.

Kim’s customizations were gifts for hosting a “House of Hype” Grammy party where Platinum Motorsport, Strut and JL Audio were sponsors of the event. “They wanted to hook up my car to show at the gala,” she said. “It was like a total dream. I love making my cars look good.”

But what does princess Kim know about cars? A lot actually.

“People are always impressed by how much car stuff I know,” she said. “My ex-husband loved exotic cars, and since then I’ve loved cars as much as I love clothes.” Kim actually asked to have the pink added to her Range Rover because she was tired of people asking if she was driving her boyfriend’s car and not hers. “I’ve always had the coolest cars, which sometimes seems like a guy should be driving them,” she explained. “I wanted a car no boy would ever want to drive and for people to know a girl is driving such a cool car.”

Given her impressive fashion sense and car knowledge, it was only a matter of time until Kim ventured into the world of car accessories. This summer, the hottest gals can ride around town in wheels Kim designed. “I collaborated with the guys at Platinum Motorsports and designed a line of rims that I’m calling “The Princess Line,” and I will also be designing car accessories for women,” Kim said.

Kim’s exquisite taste in fashion also goes hand-in-hand with her choice in cars as she paired with Platinum Motorsport on enhancing the timeless platform of her 2007 Bentley Flying Spur. She chose a full Mansory body kit, which includes a front spoiler with an integrated air grille, rear spoiler, side and rear skirts and an exhaust system with a Platinum Motorsport lowering module. The fenders are properly filled with 22x9.5-inch front and 22x10.5-inch rear Lowenhart LT8 Diamond Noir/ Chrome Multi-piece wheels dressed with Continental ContiSportContact 2 265/30R22 front and 295/25R22 rear tires. The two-tone interior was special ordered through Bentley and features reclining captain seats in the rear.

To unwind from her hectic days of styling, acting and designing, Kim jumps in her Range Rover and drives to her mom’s house, where the chaos there makes her forget about her own. “I love to be with my family; they relax me, really, and I love to bake there,” Kim said. For her more extravagant trips (like going to Malibu every weekend with the same set of friends since school), Kim opts for her Bentley.

With a busy future ahead of her, Kim Kardashian is proving to the world that they shouldn’t judge a book by its cover and that she’s in the business for the long run.

Catching Up with Kim Kardashian

1. What’s your favorite street to cruise?
Robertson Avenue in Beverly Hills.

2. What’s your status?
Single.

3. Do you prefer to drive slow or fast?
Fast–I have a supercharged Range Rover.

4. What kinds of cars do you like guys driving?
An exotic car, but not one the color of a Skittle.

5. Favorite road trip destination?
Palm Springs with my girls.

6. Most expensive ticket?
I always forget to pay them when I get one, so once I had to pay $2,500 for a bunch I didn’t pay.

7. Favorite designer?
Dolce & Gabbana.

Comments

CaliforniaGirl9875
Jun 19, 2008 7:37:04 AM

Woah! She is so classy. She drives a Range Rover. Have you ever seen her sex tape? She takes the the feces-colored penis. Nasty.

13caddy
Apr 28, 2008 2:37:31 PM

i wanna fuck her

dsm1love
Apr 28, 2008 9:24:30 AM

She is sooo amazingly hot! man i wish she could model for my car...

sunny blue
Apr 28, 2008 4:07:16 AM

4got 2 tell ya i like your RANGE ROVER Is off the hook but we need 2 talk its rather imporant so make sure u call me 08024485747

sunny blue
Apr 28, 2008 4:00:17 AM

kim we really need 2 talk i got hot business 4 u dat can fetch us some extra cash in your hot pants.call me 08024485747 chal

Apr 28, 2008 1:02:42 AM

Dude, nothing hotter than a girl who has a knowledge of what she is driving. Props to you Kim for not just posing for the cameras, but for taking some interest in your rides!

Apr 27, 2008 7:02:05 PM

wow nice nice car

GTwildfire
Apr 27, 2008 6:22:03 PM

Well, there are scores of gorgeous women in the world. I don't see why that alone deserves wealth and notariety. I'd prefer to earn my wealth although yes... someone hands me wads of cash for no good reason and with no expectations and I'll take it....

GTwildfire
Apr 27, 2008 6:19:16 PM

Um, NEXTWHIP, regarding your last question... Dosen't seem to me that Roberto has sex.

GTwildfire
Apr 27, 2008 6:16:36 PM

Um, Nextwhip... I don't think Roberto has sex...

Eugene
Apr 27, 2008 5:07:11 PM

She's famous for basically nothing, I'm sorry but I'll take being famous for nothing then being famous and having to work my ass for it.

NEXTWHIP.COM
Apr 27, 2008 11:34:09 AM

What are you talking about Roberto and all you other haters? Kim is every straight men and probably some gay men wet dream. Just look at this chic, she is the definition of perfection. She has the best combination of features: face, breast, body, butt, legs, feet, toes and lips (including her vagina). Even her skin complexion is perfect, If I can built a perfect woman it would be her. Yeah she had a sex tape with her boyfriend but who doesn't have sex.

Cheechoo
Apr 27, 2008 12:14:42 AM

What is she famous for then...wanna-be actress? gaping vagina??

Roberto
Apr 26, 2008 8:57:18 PM

Sure thing you are a whore, so you better enjoy all your materialism while you can, sure you've bought your ticket and wont be to heaven. Every man and woman's body is GOD's temple and you are one more of those who has destroyed it. Life is short.

Roberto
Apr 26, 2008 8:40:22 PM

Sure thing you are a whore, so you better enjoy all your materialism while you can, sure you've bought your ticket and wont be to heaven. Every man and woman's body is GOD's temple and you are one more of those who has destroyed it. Life is short.

Roberto
Apr 26, 2008 8:40:18 PM

Sure thing you are a whore, so you better enjoy all your materialism while you can, sure you've bought your ticket and wont be to heaven. Every man and woman's body is GOD's temple and you are one more of those who has destroyed it. Life is short.

GTwildfire
Apr 26, 2008 5:18:32 PM

I don't get the whole Kardashian thing. Yeah, shes gorgeous and has good taste but what does she do or what has she done for such recent notariety?

The Man
Apr 26, 2008 3:56:46 PM

Funny how a woman can become famous just for being a whore. Bet you could fit a watermelon in that poontang! If it smells like Tuna, I sure as hell don't taste like chicken!

Dee
Apr 26, 2008 1:22:28 PM

The cars are cool, but Kim is the shit. Ray J is stupid. I would have kept her all to my self. Out of sight out of mind. You fill me!!
Never kiss and tell.

Dee
Apr 26, 2008 1:22:20 PM

The cars are cool, but Kim is the shit. Ray J is stupid. I would have kept her all to my self. Out of sight out of mind. You fill me!!
Never kiss and tell.

Apr 26, 2008 1:10:55 PM

I'd rather have the cars..She's more worn out than my combat boots

GTR
Apr 26, 2008 12:43:31 PM

What a hoe. That is one fucked up family.

Apr 26, 2008 12:27:52 PM

she's smokin' so is her car, she famous for somethin hehe...

cknarf
Apr 26, 2008 12:21:24 PM

What exactly is she famous for now? I've never heard of her before this.

7urtle
Apr 25, 2008 11:12:25 PM

read bout her truck few years ago.she so hot