What does influence in the digital era mean? If there is one person qualified to answer the question, it is Kim Kardashian West. She has over 111 million followers on Instagram, 29 million on Facebook, and 60 million on Twitter, as well as 1.1 million subscribers on YouTube. But truth be told, you can’t really put a number on her influence. When Kim talks or posts about a brand, the impact is immediate and always good.

Kardashian West first connected with the CFDA in 2010, when she attended the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund gala dinner as Zac Posen’s date. “I had no idea what it was going to be about,” she told me during an exclusive interview the day after she wowed the Met Gala in her gold Versace dress. “We were filming Kourtney and Kim Take New York, and I thought, ‘Okay, I will go to the event after work.’ It was such a fun night. I remember meeting Karl Lagerfeld for the first time. He said, ‘You look like Nefertiti.’  I thought, ‘My life was just made. I can go home.’”

Luckily for us and for fashion and beyond, she didn’t. On the contrary, her stratospheric rise made her a central part of the cultural Zeitgeist. We caught up with our Influencer Award recipient to talk about her own inspirations, role models, and influence.

Kim, thank you so much for doing this interview. We’re so excited to give you the Influencer Award.

I’m so excited!

How do you define influence?

You can really tell someone’s influence when they wear a makeup look or clothes, and they start trends and inspire people. Since everything is so digital and on social media these days, many people can become amazing influencers. To get the Influencer Award is such an honor because it speaks to everyday people that you can influence and inspire. It’s a really special award to me.

It’s interesting you mention the digital world. What makes an influencer different today, from maybe 10 years ago? I mean you just have to think so differently.

The news cycle moves extremely quickly. It takes a lot more work to think about something fresh and new. When you’re doing a photo-shoot, how can it be innovative when you’ve already seen someone a million times over and in so many different ways? I think it’s actually harder in the social media age. You really have to grab people’s attention since there is so much more out there to look at.

Who influenced you? Who was your biggest influence in life?

My family, my parents, and my grandmothers on both sides. One of my grandmother’s only wore Chanel and Ferragamo.

I love that!  

She was super-conservative and chic, yet very strong. She either wore tracksuits or Chanel suits. My grandmother who still living – my mom’s mom – is a total Jackie O type. She just loves fashion. She has all of her stuff from back in the day, like vintage Gucci.  I also remember my mom having every Alaïa and Versace gown in the ’80s and ’90s….these crazy, classic Gianni dresses and just everything Alaïa .

That’s amazing! Do you wear her clothes?

I do, I remember how for my first few club appearances, I’d borrow my mom’s clothes. I’d  wear her Alaïa dresses. I’ve always been influenced by my family. I’ve also always been inspired by the grace and poise of Jackie O. I love her. Elizabeth Taylor is just so classic and strong. And Cher. I mean, Cher is everything to me.

Cher and Naomi [Campbell] are my ultimate references. When I look at things, it’s like…Naomi glam, Naomi hair, Naomi clothes, and then Cher.

You’re going to see Naomi at the CFDA Awards.

I know. I was texting Naomi earlier and we were talking about the Met. I told her, “I hope you know you’re my reference for literally everything!”

I loved your Versace dress.  You looked beautiful at the Met Gala, both in the dress at the event and the one for the after party.

I really loved that after party dress. I flew my assistant on a plane with that Versace buckle dress, but he missed his flight and didn’t land until 11PM. Thank god the Met ran late, so we made it just in time.

Right – perfect. It looked beautiful!

Thank you!

So when did you know that you loved fashion and beauty?

I knew at a really young age. I was always the girl that was stealing my mom’s makeup, playing with makeup, and loving it – more than my other sisters growing up. I learned the rest. I also learned a lot from my husband. I remember how, maybe in 2011, he handed me a Carine [Roitfeld] book and said, “Study these books. You should know these people, because one day they’ll style you.” I was like, “Yeah right, that’ll never happen.”

Well, and then it all came true!

Now I can say that she’s styled me! It’s very surreal to see these things and these dreams come true, and I’ve loved learning so much along the way. The fun part is really learning the history behind so many designers and their journeys.

What do you think of American style or American fashion?

American fashion is amazing. There are two sides: super glam or super chill. There’s really nothing in between for me. I’m either in sweats or a gown. That’s how I’ve always been. I’ve always been in a Juicy sweat suit or a dress!

Or Yeezy.

Yeah, that was back in the day, and now it’s Yeezy. I’ve been wearing sweats for years now and it was really hard to put on heels last night [for the Met Gala]. My feet at killing me, but it was so much fun.

What are you looking forward to the most at the Awards on June 4th?

To see what everyone’s wearing. That’s always so much fun for me. I love the glam and the looks.