Kim Kardashian faces criticism over corset video: 'Are you able to breathe?'

Kim Kardashian is facing backlash after sharing a video showing her posing in an “archaic” corset similar to the one she wore to the 2019 Met Gala.

On Tuesday, the KKW Beauty mogul shared a short clip of her dressed in a nude corset on Instagram.

“Just found this in my phone from my special trip to London last year to meet w Mr Pearl,” the 39-year-old wrote. “I wore a corset like this for the Met Ball for my @manfredthierrymugler Camp look but the corset was misplaced that night and I want it so badly preserved for my archive that I flew to London to have another made for the archive.”

The reality star then hinted that she “might have started making a few more looks including my special 40th bday look” with the famed corset maker Mr Pearl.

In response to the post, many of Kardashian’s followers expressed their disappointment with her “irresponsible” decision to post the video - and to have another corset made considering her previous comments about being unable to sit or go to the bathroom while wearing the garment to the Met Ball.

“I’ll be walking around, mingling, talking, but I cannot hardly sit. I can only, like, half sit,” Kardashian had told Vogue regarding her outfit ahead of the fashion event.

During an episode of Keeping Up With The Kardashians showing her preparing for the event, the mum-of-four had also said it would be a “problem” if she had to use the bathroom while wearing the tight corset.

“If I have to pee, it’s a problem” she said, before suggesting that she would “pee my pants and then have my sister wipe my leg up.”

On Instagram, fans questioned whether the reality star realised the message she was sending with her post.

“Seeing as though you've said you couldn't sit, use the restroom and had a hard time breathing, don't you think it's a bit irresponsible and self-glorifying to archive this archaic death trap?” one person commented. “Or maybe you see it as a great aspiring look for children like North and Chicago?”

Others accused Kardashian of perpetuating unrealistic and unhealthy body ideals by posting the video, with one follower suggesting she add a disclaimer to the post.

“This can’t be healthy, not a good message to be sending,” one follower commented.

Another said: “C’mon Kim. Totally disproportionate to show your waist like that. All these younger people, and even your age look up to you. This is not a realistic example of one's body.”

“Holy crap Kim, no. You have little girls in your life too. Please rethink posting photos such as this. It sets such unrealistic standards for others; it also holds a lot more weight coming from an influential person so please, add a disclaimer, say something to acknowledge the disparity here at least,” someone else wrote. “You have a strong voice and it's fabulous when used for good but don't amplify an issue of the lack of body positivity that many already face.”

In addition to making it difficult to breathe and promoting an unrealistic body image, corsets and waist trainers can also cause injuries such as crushed organs, fractured ribs and compressed lungs if worn too long, Christopher Ochner, PhD, weight loss and nutrition expert at Mount Sinai Hospital, previously told Marie Claire.