NEW YORK — Kim Kardashian West accepted the CFDA’s Influencer Award at Monday night’s ceremony with a dose of self-deprecating humor.

“I’m kind of shocked I’m getting a fashion award when I’m naked most of the time,” she cracked, before getting sentimental about her fashion industry achievements.

“It was maybe seven years ago when I had a publicist, and she asked, what were my goals, what were my dreams, and I said I just wanted to be on the cover of a fashion magazine,” she recalled. “And she said, let’s (make) some realistic goals because that will never happen. And so, of course I sent her my Vogue cover when it came out. An autographed copy. So it’s really a trip to me that now I’m here getting an award for fashion when it’s something I always loved. Thank you so much for this, it means a lot.”

Kardashian covered the April 2014 issue of Vogue with her husband Kanye West, which sparked backlash at the time among critics who didn’t think Kardashian West deserved the influential cover spot.

Kanye West did not attend Monday’s awards, with host Issa Rae taking shots at the rapper’s controversial slavery comments in her opening monologue.
Kardashian took the stage after a generous introduction from Busy Philipps, who joked, “Personally didn’t know you could wear high heels with bike shorts and you made me want to try, though it did not work for me.”

“You’ve changed the way the world looks at fashion in so many fundamental ways,” Phillips said. “You have given a rise to a revolution in women’s bodies and shapes, radically redefining the aspirational female form. Your ownership over your own body and how it is seen, your openness with your femininity and your sexuality, is truly empowering and the ultimate feminist statement.”

Kardashian West wore a Rick Owens crop top-skirt combination to celebrate the occasion. Kendall Jenner was also in attendance, wearing a striking ostrich-feather ensemble from Alexandre Vauthier.
On the red carpet for the CFDA Awards in New York, Kim Kardashian West said she’s hopeful about a pardon for Alice Marie Johnson, while Diane von Furstenberg saluted Florida shooting survivor Delaney Tarr. (June 5) AP