Why are Victoria's Secret angels wearing SKIMS?

In between dating Pete Davidson and rebranding KKW, Kim Kardashian returned to Instagram to unveil Icons, the new SKIMS campaign starring four legendary tops: Tyra Banks, Heidi Klum, Candice Swanepoel and Alessandra Ambrosio. 

"Tyra, Heidi, Alessandra and Candice have each played such a distinct and everlasting role in shaping the industry. Outfitting these incredible women in our Fits Everybody underwear collection is truly a full-circle moment for me."

In images shot by Greg Swales and Sandy Kim, the models, who are back working together for the first time since walking Victoria's Secret runway, exchange wings with the nude and inclusive SKIMS pieces from the Fits Everybody collection, of which Kim is very proud:

"Our underwear is such a game-changer and has been our best-selling collection since we launched –  it stretches to twice its size and is so comfy it just moulds to your body so it fits everyone perfectly. I’m thrilled to celebrate these women alongside a collection that our customers adore."

It's not the first time SKIMS has hired legendary models for a campaign (remember last summer's Kate Moss?), but the choice to cast the angels of Victoria's Secret, a brand that despite its recent rebranding attempt has helped perpetuate an unattainable and anything but inclusive idea of beauty, seemed to some to be a contradiction to the philosophy of openness to all body types that underpins Kim Kardashian's label. Others, however, starting with Tyra Banks, see the collaboration as the emergence of a new era of angels, different in ethnicity, size, age and physicality, inspiring all women to feel beautiful, even as iconic as Heidi & co:

"Kim Kardashian selected all four household names to star in the campaign showcasing the models’ strength, energy, and everlasting allure with imagery that reflects the group’s enduring legacies. With this campaign, SKIMS salutes strong, powerful women, highlighting the high fashion collective’s prestige in shapewear pieces that make all women feel like icons."

Bodysuits, bralettes, thongs, briefs and tops from the new Fits Everybody collection are available on the SKIMS website.