Hundreds of fans waited in line outside Debenham's department store in London.
Last week Kim Kardashian - American reality television star - was at Debenham's in London promoting her new perfume. British fans began lining up before 6 a.m., in the hope of being one of the first 150 customers who were promised photos with the popular entrepreneur.
This young girl brought her father along in a vain attempt to see Kardashian. I was standing next to them.
A group of construction workers were more interested in catching a glimpse of the brunette bombshell than in working (perhaps it was their lunch break).
A Debenham's employee motioned for people to clear the road.
At half past twelve, Miss Kardashian arrived in a black limo.
Crowds immediately surged around the car, making it difficult for Kardashian to walk the few feet to the store entrance.
As she exited the car, hundreds of enthusiastic fans tried to snap photos with their mobile phones or digital cameras.
Inside the store, Kim posed with purple glass bottles of her perfume. The crowds went mad, trying to see her in a cordoned-off area behind the Fiorelli display.
Here she is wearing Gucci. (Photo by Splash. Alas, I couldn't see over the crowds to get a good photo; should have brought a ladder)!
Prior to Kim's appearance, six gorgeous girls in high black heels and short tight purple dresses walked around Debenham's spritzing the perfume on customers. I overheard one young model say they'd answered a casting call at an agency for the chance to participate in the perfume launch. "And we were told we get to meet Kim. I'm so excited!" she said.
She wasn't the only one. Fans went wild when Kim entered the store.
A few of Kim's screaming fans were hysterical, climbing and standing on display stands and knocking off merchandise for sale. "I have GOT to see her!" one of them repeated, over and over. Security guards had difficulty controlling the huge crowds.
Who knows how long they waited to see Kim and get her autograph??!!
At Debenham's back entrance, a driver waited with a specially-painted black London cab.
And news agency photographers filed their stories on the spot...
...for an insatiable tabloid press, hungering for any tidbit about the glamourous Miss Kardashian and her $2 million engagement ring (no doubt an extra headache for Kardashian's bodyguards).
Life in the fast lane, folks! Never a dull moment.
Normal posting resumes on Friday.
'News agency photographers filed their stories on the spot' - one wonders what on earth there was to say, really, and the bloke in the bottom picture looks as though he's pondering this!
Posted by: Karen @PasGrand-Chose | 17 June 2011 at 10:42
Ugh! That's all I can say...
Posted by: RD | 17 June 2011 at 02:43
Why is she a celebrity? What has she done to merit such attention. Those girls remind me of those March sisters from literature. Okay, I'll say it: Little Women. I cringe at my nerve--putting them in the same paragraph. I guess they have to earn a living somehow since their dad is gone.
Posted by: Limner | 17 June 2011 at 02:11
I just don't understand this celebrity thing. It actually seems rather pitiful the way people get so much publicity because of their attractiveness and wealth. Attention for doing something wonderful for others is much more worthy of accolades.
Posted by: martina | 17 June 2011 at 01:09
How very sad. I have never understood the appeal of the Kardashians and I doubt I ever will. As one writer previously stated, they must have extremely talented marketers. And Tara, I am afraid the celebrity-lite culture has already started the rapid decline of the US. It makes me sad to know this is the kind of garbage that people think is "news."
Posted by: Mary H. | 17 June 2011 at 01:05
I didn't know of Kin Kardashian till now, but it looks as if I'm in the minority! Isn't it weird and strange the way the promotional machine works? Also, it's horrible to think about loosing your freedom and becoming a brand. It's also a strange prism of our culture all the way around.
How are you dear Tara?
Been thinking of you.
xox
Constance
Posted by: rochambeau | 16 June 2011 at 22:48
I have never figured out why the Kardashian's are such an attraction, but I do agree with your other commentors. It is crazy! Thanks for sharing this craziness. I think they must have very good marketers.
Posted by: Marilyn | 16 June 2011 at 22:30
Natalie, I think the Kardashians' many media appearances are indicative of the "celebrity-lite" culture that threatens to overtake the US - short attention spans, designer labels and bling, instant gratification, like fast food. Sadly, it's not the image of culture we'd like to project around the world; but I'm afraid it's more mainstream than we'd like to believe, thanks to the rise of "entertainment" shows and the decline of actual news reporting.
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 16 June 2011 at 19:02
I would like to say THAT is NOT American culture. That is Amercian garbage. Period. We apologise for letting her cross the pond. Ugh.
Posted by: Natalie | 16 June 2011 at 18:54
Who says America doesn't have culture?! Saints perverse us...
Posted by: Tracy | 16 June 2011 at 18:11