What is the Kardashian Kloset – and where does the money go? Kim Kardashian sparked outrage by listing her ‘dirty’ Hermès Birkin for US$70,000 on the reality dynasty’s second-hand shopping website

Mar 11 , 2024

Now that the Kardashian-Jenners – including Kim Kardashian (pictured) – are collectively worth around US$3 billion, how much do they need the cash they’re making from the Kardashian Kloset? Photo: @kimkardashian/Instagram

Few remember that before Kim Kardashian was a household name and the founder of Skims, she was a personal stylist for Paris Hilton and ran an eBay account Kimsaprincess, where she turned a profit by selling her and her celebrity friends’ clothes.

Kim Kardashian flies on a US$150 million private jet – but will still charge her fans US$69,995 for a used Hermès Birkin bag with very visible staining. Photo: Instagram

Late last month, Kim K came under scrutiny for putting a “dirty” Hermès Birkin bag on sale for US$69,995 on the Kardashians’ very own reselling platform, the Kardashian Kloset.

Kim Kardashian’s used white crocodile Hermès Birkin, displaying heavy brown staining on the handles. Photo: Kardashian Kloset

While the site has been around since October 2019, Kardashian’s recent listing of her rare crocodile Birkin has fans outraged because of the hefty price tag on a used item. As one Reddit user wrote, “Kim’s dirty Birkin can be yours for only US$70,000! Seriously, how desperate are they for money?”

Others are raising questions about the legitimacy of the business, wondering whether the Kardashian-Jenners really need the extra cash. Where does the money from sales go? And who is running the website?

Here’s what we know about the Kardashian Kloset.

Whose clothes are on the Kardashian Kloset?

The Kardashian Kloset sells clothes and accessories previously used by the Kardashian-Jenner sisters, their mum Kris, their children, as well as the men in their lives. Photo: Kardashian Kloset

According to its website, the Kardashian Kloset “is a luxury designer clothing resale site” with rare and fun pieces straight from your favourite Kardashian-Jenner’s wardrobe, hand-selected by the famous family members themselves.

Customers can browse the online store and pick out items that formerly belonged to their favourite Kardashian sister or “momager” Kris. There are also subsections for kids and men, which display clothes and accessories previously owned by one of the mini-Kardashians and the men in the family.

Kim Kardashian in a promotional post for the Kardashian Kloset in February. Photo: @kardashiankloset/Instagram

Items listed include a vintage Gucci sweater priced at US$1,995, a number of Hermès Birkin and Kelly bags, and the viral Anya Hindmarch crisp packet bag.

While the e-commerce site states that it offers shoppers “the opportunity to own one-of-a-kind items” and “share a part of the Kardashian-Jenner family lifestyle”, the expensive price tags on used items have put off many.

The lack of refunds, cancellations, returns or guarantees on the authenticity of the products are other downsides.

Who runs the Kardashian Kloset?

Cynthia “Cici” Bussey and Khloé Kardashian in November 2023. Photo: @cicibussey/Instagram

The website is reportedly run by Cynthia “Cici” Bussey, the first cousin of Kris’ first husband, the late Robert Kardashian Sr.

Bussey is a familiar face for fans who’ve been following the Kardashian-Jenner family since Keeping Up with the Kardashians was airing. She shares a close bond with the clan, especially momager Kris. While she no longer appears as often on The Kardashians, her Instagram posts show that she is still a close friend of the family.

“Happy birthday to my favourite baller,” Cici Bussey wrote to Robert Kardashian Jr in March 2023, in a caption accompanying this throwback photo. Photo: @cicibussey/Instagram

Bussey also previously managed a Kardashian Khaos store in Las Vegas, although the business venture reportedly shut down after just three years.

Why did Christian Cowan call out Khloé Kardashian?

Khloé Kardashian in November 2022. Photo: @laquan_smith/Instagram

In July 2020, designer Christian Cowan publicly called out Khloé Kardashian on Instagram for selling dresses that had been loaned to her. He shared a screenshot of a blue dress listed on Kardashian Kloset on his Instagram Stories, writing, “@khloekardashian Why are my runway samples I loaned you being sold on your website? We’ve emailed three times and had no response.”

Khloé Kardashian in January 2018, in Los Angeles, California. Photo: GC Images

The dress was listed for US$1,300, despite Khloé having received it for free, per Teen Vogue, but is no longer available on the website.

As a majority of the items on the site are labelled rare, new and/or come with tags, most items were presumably gifts or packages sent to the family by designers or brands.

So where does the money go?

Khloé Kardashian, Kendall Jenner, Kim Kardashian, Kourtney Kardashian and Kris Jenner at the 2018 E! People’s Choice Awards in Santa Monica, California. Photo: NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images

Fans have repeatedly criticised the Kardashian Kloset for the exorbitant prices on hand-me-downs, with many questioning how the family splits the profits.

With a combined net worth of nearly US$3 billion, as previously reported, the Kardashian-Jenners probably see the proceeds from their resale site as mere pocket change. Despite this, there is no indication as to whether the profits go right into Kardashian-Jenner pockets. The website doesn’t make any mention of proceeds going to charity either.

Kim Kardashian’s Skims brand launched at Nordstorm in February 2020. Photo: @kimkardashian/Instagram

In a Reddit forum discussing the Kardashian Kloset, one user wrote, “Wait … This isn’t for charity?? WTH … and people really think they’re billionaires?”

Others have floated even bolder theories. Another Reddit user wrote: “I think it’s some sort of money laundering front. The prices are so high, only people in their circle could afford them, and no one in their circle is buying Kardashian hand-me-downs.”

Well, unless someone in the family comments on the drama, we’ll just have to keep on guessing.

Celebrity style

The internet is crying foul at the latest overpriced item on the Kardashian Kloset – and now that the Kardashian-Jenners are worth around US$3 billion, just how much do they need the extra cash?
In the noughties, Kim K was Paris Hilton’s stylist and sold her and her showbiz friends’ clothes on eBay – while in 2020, Christian Cowan called Khloé out for putting a sample dress he’d loaned her on sale