Kim Kardashian's clothing brand Skims is offering refunds to customers who were disappointed by its $148 (£110) advent calendar, which was found to contain mostly hair accessories and keychains. The company has contacted every purchaser with a choice of a full refund or a Skims credit.
Viral Unboxings Spark Outrage
The 12-day calendar, marketed as an 'accessory' calendar, was expected by many to contain luxury items from the brand known for its shapewear. Instead, viral unboxing videos on social media showed the calendar filled with items like hair scrunchies, bobby pins, a keychain mirror, headbands shaped like bra straps, and mini Skims squishies.
Critics online called the contents 'straight up disrespectful' and estimated the value at '$20 max.' Some jokingly suggested renaming the company 'Skams,' while others compared it to the 'Fyre Festival of advent calendars,' referencing the failed 2017 music event. One unboxing video by user wetsloppyswollen garnered over 65 million views in just a few days.
Skims Responds to Feedback
In an official statement released to Metro and other publications, Skims said it has 'listened carefully' to customer feedback. The statement continued: 'We understand that the calendar didn’t meet expectations and we have personally contacted every customer who purchased the calendar and offered them a choice of a full refund or a SKIMS credit to put towards other products.'
The company added that it wants 'every customer to be truly happy with what they receive from SKIMS' and that all 'feedback matters to us and will directly shape how we approach future releases.'
Calendar Removed from Website
Kim Kardashian has not directly addressed the controversy, with her social media focused on the trailer for season two of Ryan Murphy's Disney Plus show All's Fair. The advent calendar is no longer accessible on the Skims website. Metro has reached out to Skims and Kim Kardashian's representatives for comment.
