Kim Kardashian Carries Balenciaga's Confusing Shoe Clutch
The piece looks like a stiletto—but it's actually a bag.


If you were wondering about the current state of Kim Kardashian's relationship with Balenciaga, look no further than her purse. Yesterday, the Skims founder posted a series of glamour shots on Instagram, showing off her all-black Prada look and her Balenciaga shoe clutch.
The Balenciaga "Shoe Knife" leather clutch bag is exactly what it sounds like: a clutch shaped like a stiletto high heel, with a zipper where the foot should go. In the photos, Kardashian holds her bejeweled shoe purse in the same hand as her phone (because the device apparently can't fit inside).
A post shared by Kim Kardashian
A photo posted by kimkardashian on
For the photoshoot, Kardashian wore a long black fur coat, a matching maxi skirt, and a bra-adjacent top that reads as a half-corset, fastened at the front with a plastic buckle. The outfit is classic Kim: black on black, mixed textures, slightly edgy but still safe. And, the star loves a long fur coat. She likely worked with her new stylist, Dani Levi, on the look.
This isn't the first we've seen of Kardashian's crystallized stiletto clutch. Last December, she carried her shoe bag while sitting court-side at a Lakers game. The heel clutch, a newer addition to the Balenciaga It-Bag canon, comes from the brand's pre-fall 2024 collection. It debuted on the runway a few days before Kardashian was spotted carrying it the first time. The silhouette, modeled and named after the label's famous "knife" high heel, also comes in black.
Balenciaga has released several shoe bags, ranging from stiletto-shaped iterations like Kim's to chunkier Oxford brogue-inspired pieces.
Kardashian has long been associated with the luxury fashion house, and became a brand ambassador for the second time in January 2024. The reunion followed a brief period apart, while Kardashian was "re-evaluating" her ties to Balenciaga after its 2022 scandal. The brand was accused of "child abuse" and "pedophilia" over a Christmas ad campaign featuring young children holding teddy bear backpacks wrapped in "bondage gear."
"For several years now, Balenciaga's designs have been a part of my many looks—and some of my most iconic fashion moments," Kardashian said in a statement after announcing her partnership earlier this year. "For me, this long-standing relationship is built on mutual trust and a commitment to doing what's right. I'm excited about this next chapter for the brand and to become their ambassador."
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.

Julia Gray is a contributing fashion writer at Marie Claire, where she covers runway trends, celebrity style, and shopping. In her six years as a journalist, Julia’s reporting has ranged across style, music, Internet culture, art, retail, tech, and more. In addition to Marie Claire, Julia writes for outlets like the Washington Post, the Wall Street Journal, the Ringer, New York Magazine, Pitchfork, Nylon, and Vice, among others. Julia's fashion reporting is led by curiosity. Julia is not only interested in critiquing and covering pop culture, but in understanding what our pop culture says about how we live and modern values. When she’s not writing, Julia hosts a podcast called Girls Room, where she and her co-host revisit shows like Girls and Gossip Girl from the beginning with guests like comedian Cat Cohen and writer Hunter Harris. Girls Room was recently cited in the New York Times.
-
Blake Lively Is Reviving My Early ‘00s Obsession With This Nail Trend
Minimalist nails with a little something extra.
-
Will 'Weak Hero Class' Return for Season 3? Park Ji-hoon Shares His Hopes for the Hit K-Drama's Senior Year
Fans are clamoring for more after that shocking cliffhanger.
-
Prince Charles Made an "Improper" Suggestion Before Their Marriage, Per Diana
*Clutches pearls*
-
Florence Pugh's 'Thunderbolts*' Press Tour Looks Are the Most Subtle Take on Method Dressing I've Seen
She's taking the subtle approach to method dressing.
-
Doja Cat Gives a Beloved Celine Bag the Butter Yellow Trend Treatment
Her style is taking a turn toward the demure.
-
Dua Lipa Tiptoes Into the Naked Shoe Trend With Rihanna's Favorite Gucci Mesh Slingback Pumps
And she chose one of Rihanna's favorite pairs to do it.
-
Blake Lively Revives the Peplum Trend With $2,895 Louboutin Heels and a Sequin Chanel Bag
She chose an all-leather look to revive the style.
-
Anne Hathaway Jazzes Up a Canadian Tuxedo With Adidas Sambas and a Metallic J.Crew Barn Jacket
Another thing we have in common? Her Adidas Sambas.
-
Dua Lipa Copy and Pastes a Schiaparelli Runway Naked Dress Look Onto the Red Carpet
She's a fashion girl, through and through.
-
Beyoncé Pledges Allegiance to Two Very Specific Outfits for Opening Night of Her 'Cowboy Carter' Tour
She changed them up slightly from song to song.
-
Sofia Richie Grainge Styles a $7,600 Wicker Bag With $90 Vintage Reebok Sneakers
As only she can.