Kim Kardashian in a $3 million diamond necklace turns the courtroom into a power runway

What may be an unexpected, even controversial, choice for most is more often than not, a natural preference for Kim Kardashian. Known for pushing boundaries in both fashion and identity, the SKIMS founder arrived at her trial hearing in Paris in an ensemble, particularly jewellery, that boasted extravagance. Testifying in the robbery trial related to the 2016 heist—where she was tied up and stripped of $9 million in jewellery—-her choice of attire, as opposed to a traditional formal suit, was a layered statement. 

Decorating her neck with a magnanimous 52.17-carat necklace by Samer Halimeh wasn’t enough, she paired it up with a dazzling over-the-ear white gold and diamond pavé cuff by Briony Raymond on one ear; with 4.55 carats of pear-shaped Repossi diamonds (along with matching diamond earrings) on the other as well as the diamond engagement ring from her ex-husband Kanye West—all against a deep noir peplum blazer dress. 

Already on her journey to become a lawyer through an apprenticeship program, her reverence for the field is not unknown. With a special focus on criminal reform, her designs on the pursuit of the profession also played a role in this deliberate choice of jewellery. Being the star witness of the trial, she recalled the harrowing incident that also entailed the loss of a $4 million diamond ring. Hence, making the flamboyant diamonds the star of her look, that was her belying assertion to the world. 

The symbolism of the jewels was two-fold. While she was asserting her recouped strength as well as her financial loss after the armed burglary, she made use of diamonds as a statement of defiance, as opposed to what is believed as an emblem of vanity. Held at gunpoint, instead of weaving a victimised narrative, she chose to represent the distressing recalling of events through power and expression, subliminally attesting to the fact that such tragedies can occur to even the rich and powerful.

Despite the sartorial power, her testimony was laid bare with emotion and vulnerability. Revealing how she lost millions of dollars of jewellery while being held hostage at gunpoint in a luxury hotel suite in 2016, she confessed her fear of dying in that said moment. Speaking for over three hours in the court, the series of events also entailed an apology from one of the defendants, Aomar Ait Khedache, 71, who was granted forgiveness by Kim from the stand. "I just want to thank everyone, especially the French authorities, for allowing me to testify today and tell my truth," said the reality TV star and businesswoman at the court. 

Seeking closure from the incident, she not only redefined the narrative but also attested to the fact that she has regained control, doing away with being dictated by fear. In turning pain into poise, Kim Kardashian arrived as her most powerful self yet.