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Why Kim Kardashian Is Receiving the ‘Influencer Award’ at the 2018 CFDA Fashion Awards

Kardashian West
Kim Kardashian West Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images

With some 200 million followers across all her social media channels, Kim Kardashian is quite familiar with the term “influencer” — but now her tastemaker status is being formally recognized by fashion’s governing body. The CFDA announced on Wednesday, May 9, that KKW will make history as the recipient of its inaugural “Influencer Award.” The honor will be handed out at the 2018 CFDA Fashion Awards ceremony in Brooklyn on June 4.

“OMG OMG OMG So excited to receive the first ever Influencer Award at the @cfda Fashion Awards on June 4th,” Kim shared on Instagram, of course. In a statement, CFDA chairwoman Diane von Furstenberg explained that, for more than a decade, Kardashian “has mastered the meaning of influence in the digital age.”

Related: Kim Kardashian Stuns in Gold Versace Dress at the 2018 Met Gala

While the parameters of the award are vague, we can think of a few reasons the KUWTK executive producer and star has been selected.

First off, Kim is HBIC of not one but two cult-favorite beauty businesses — KKW Beauty and KKW Fragrance — that basically break the internet every time they have a new launch (here’s looking at you, nearly nude KKW Body photoshoot).

On the fashion front, Mrs. Kanye West has long experimented with styles and trends, never shying away from showing off the famous physique. She has also starred in campaigns for her husband’s Yeezy line and Calvin Klein, in addition to posting magazine-worthy fashion shots on her Instagram feed almost daily.

Speaking of magazines, Kim K. is an international cover star, having posed for domestic and international editions of Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, ELLE, Marie Claire, Glamour, Cosmopolitan and Allure. And she creates her own fashion, beauty and lifestyle content, too, via her website and app that fans pay $3 a month or $25 a year to access.

Related: 7 Times Kim Kardashian Channeled Her Icon Cher

But perhaps most importantly as far as the “Influencer Award” is concerned, the entrepreneur was among the first to figure out a way to monetize her massive social media following. From promoting hair-growth gummies to developing her own red carpet-inspired game (Kim Kardashian: Hollywood) and Kimojis, KKW understands the social media biz better than anyone.

“Kim is the most important and powerful influencer in the world. Her reach extends far beyond her own brands,” CFDA Board Member Tommy Hilfiger said in a statement. “Every time she wears, posts or talks about a fashion brand, there is an immediate and significant increase in both awareness and sales.”

Related: Kim Kardashian Teases KKW Body Fragrance With Sexy Nude Instagram Pics and a Sneak Peek at the Bottle

The mark of a modern-day influencer, indeed!

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