If people touched by magic possess a special kind of light, the Kardashian sisters are positively glowing. Unlike luck, though, magic is a thing created, and the magic of Kourtney & Khloe Kardashian is a result of a prodigious amount of work and talent. In everything these women say about themselves and each other the affection they share is evident. Even when relating their individual versions of one of the more absurdist episodes of their Miami adventure-Dadaist Khloe’s efforts to arrange a blind date for the diffident Kourtney they agree on two central points: that it was fun, and that it was lovingly perpetrated.
Their father, Robert Kardashian, who died in 2003, had an enormous influence on the development of his daughters’ kindness, generosity, and tolerance. Always self-deprecating, Khloe remembers being scolded as a child for calling another kid fat and ugly. It was a lesson well-learned: after battling her own body-image issues, she remarks that people are much more than what they look like, which is a profoundly loving memorial her father. Their mother, Kris Jenner, adds several more layers of personality to her daughters. An outspoken woman herself, she has cultivated in the girls a strong sense of self-worth, a willingness to be outspoken, and a true independence of thought. None of these qualities of strength has vitiated, however, their considerable sensitivity and charm.
This is the common denominator both girls cite as the quality on which a young woman should focus when striving for an independent, successful, and happy life. “try different things.” Kourtney started in fashion design and found it less than satisfying. Khloe admits to being somewhat rudderless at 20. They both made subtle shifts in their work habits until they found what pleased them: Dash.
Part of the inspiration for the clothing business came from their maternal grandmother Mary Jo, whom they call MJ. Another strong, independent, and outspoken woman, who started her career at an age when many people are contemplating retirement, she has owned her own clothing boutiques in LaJolla since the 1970s. Emulating MJ, the girls launched their “Dash” collaboration in LA.
And what a collaboration it is. Noting a potential handicap in their individual eclectic clothing tastes Khloe tends to be much more
classical and experimental, Kourtney more bohemian and stylish, however, the girls discovered that their collective tastes leveled out the extremes. They shop for and stock their stores on consensus, which has proven to be a winning strategy.
The miami Dash is located on Washington Avenue in Miami Beach’s deco district. Decorated with elegant sculpture-works that also serve as jewelry displays, outsized iridescent digital photos on the walls, and a lounge area with a black chandelier and two stuffed, zebra-print chairs, Dash feels as much like an art gallery as a clothing boutique. The hip club tunes add a party element quintessentially Miami. Why a Dash in Miami? Like any good business women, the girls did their homework. The economy in Miami seemed healthier and the social climate more vibrant, than the alternatives. “We wanted to be somewhere sexy & fun,” they both explained. The television show was an unexpected bonus. Would they do another? “Absolutely!” Khloe replied eagerly. “Doing the show with Kourtney was the most fun I’ve ever had.” Where next, then? Khloe’s advocating for Las Vegas; Kourtney’s thinking about Paris. Wherever they end up, there is no doubt they will be bringing some of their magic with them.
-Jonathan Schork
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