Over the years, Kim Kardashian has made a noticeable transition and forged a path in high fashion, due in part to her relationship with rapper and designer Kanye West. 

Yesterday at the People’s Choice, the reality star thanked her estranged husband for introducing her to fashion and ultimately changing how high fashion designers viewed her as she accepted the Fashion Icon Award. “To Kanye for really introducing me to the fashion world. I fell in love with fashion, and I’m so inspired by so many people. But again, this is like a dream that I get to wake up and wear these amazing clothes and try new things and take a risk. I’m so humbled,” Kardashian expressed.

“I’m humbled every single day that designers are willing to work with me. There was a time when they weren’t,” she expressed. “Thank you, Zac Posen, who dressed me and took me to my first CFDA Awards, and so many amazing designers like Riccardo [Tisci] and Olivier [Rousteing] that really believed in me. Well, [they] probably [were] talked into it by getting a call from Kanye.”

Last week, E! And NBC announced that the “Keeping Up With Kardashians” star would be honored for “keen fashion sense, unprecedented entrepreneurial success, and single-handedly transforming the fashion industry through her innovative designs and trend-setting style over the past decade.” Kim has graced the cover of Vogue eight times, with her first cover being with West in the wake of their marriage. West was pivotal in pushing Kardashian into the fashion world, calling for people to respect her, revamping her closet, and ensuring she attended the most coveted fashion events.

The Skims founder has been able to capitalize off West’s advocacy early in their relationship and the “Kimye” brand, donning Mugler archives, being a muse for Balenciaga, and recently collaborating with them Fendi for her loungewear brand. While West may have opened the door for Kardashian to thrive in the fashion world, it’s clear that the media mogul is taking the reigns of her place in the industry.