The SKIMS brand, founded by Kim Kardashian, has found itself at the center of a wave of criticism over a Christmas advent calendar priced at $148. According to Wave RBC.UA, after an unboxing video appeared on social media, users actively began discussing its contents, feeling that the product did not justify its price tag. The scandal erupted during the holiday season, when the brand traditionally releases a limited edition set for Christmas and New Year.
What's inside the set
The product in question is the SKIMS Accessories Advent Calendar — a set of 12 compartments with "little surprises." According to the description, it contains hair ties, satin scrunchies, hairpins, clips, branded keychains, a miniature mirror, and other accessories. According to PeopleTalk, customers also noted the presence of bobby pins, headbands, a comb, and a stress-relief toy ("squishy"), while some bloggers criticized the quality of materials, which they felt resembled cheap bra straps.
How the scandal began
The wave of dissatisfaction began after a TikTok user posted a video unboxing all 12 compartments, showing the contents of the calendar and making no secret of her disappointment with the quantity and nature of the gifts. The video quickly went viral and garnered tens of millions of views, while other users began sharing their own impressions, questioning the value of such a purchase.
Audience reaction
In the comments, the contents of the set were compared to random trinkets that one might find at the bottom of a purse or in a junk drawer. Some creators called the calendar "the Fyre Festival of advent calendars," referring to the infamous festival that became a symbol of failed promises and disappointment. Despite the viral criticism, according to PeopleTalk, the entire stock was sold out, and only a waiting list remained on the company's official website.
Brand stance
Some users pointed out that SKIMS had positioned the product as an accessory calendar from the very beginning: the official website noted that there would be surprises inside, from hair accessories to keychains. In response to the dissatisfaction, according to Wave RBC.UA, a company representative stated that the brand had heard customer feedback and contacted every buyer, offering a choice between a full refund or a credit for an equivalent amount for future purchases. At the same time, PeopleTalk noted at the time of publication that SKIMS representatives had not yet commented on the flurry of negative feedback, indicating a discrepancy in the chronology of the company's response.
