Kim Kardashian Channels Idol Elizabeth Taylor, Transforms Into Late Star's Cleopatra Character: Pics

E! star has previously said the icon is her "idol"

By Alyssa Toomey Aug 12, 2015 4:58 PMTags
Kim Kardashian, Violet GreyBen Hassett

Kim Kardashian is channeling her idol.

The 34-year-old beauty, who is expecting her second child with husband Kanye West, appears inlatest cover story, renowned makeup artist Pat McGrath transforming the Keeping Up With the Kardashians stunner into Elizabeth Taylor's iconic character from the 1963 film Cleopatra for VIOLET GREY's magazine.

"Elizabeth Taylor's makeup in Cleopatra has been reacted countless times, but for Kim I wanted to create a version that has never been done before, a futuristic 3D version," McGrath told the publication. "I wanted to portray a luxurious decadence by using elements of ornate facial jewelry constructed into shapes that pay homage to Egyptian culture, and of course to the rich exotic character that Taylor played in this role." 

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Ben Hassett

Kardashian's cover is the first in a series titled The Genius of Pat McGrath, which will see the makeup artist, who has previously been dubbed the most influential in the world, transform today's pop culture icons into those of the past.

"When Cleopatra was released in 1963, Elizabeth Taylor was arguably the most famous woman in the world," the publication states in the press release. "Fifty two years later, Kim Kardashian West is arguably the most famous woman in popular culture."

Ben Hassett

"So excited to share my collaboration with @patmcgrathreal and @benhassett for #THEVIOLETFILES on @VioletGrey launching tomorrow! #PATxKIM," the E! star captioned a pic of the cover

Kanye's wife has made no secret of her love for Elizabeth Taylor. In fact, shortly before Dame Elizabeth passed away in March 2011, Kim had the opportunity to interview the Oscar winner and fashion icon for Harper's Bazaar.

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Ben Hassett

"You are my idol," she told Taylor in the interview conducted in February 2011. "But I'm six husbands and some big jewels behind. What should I do?"

"I never planned to acquire a lot of jewels or a lot of husbands," the Hollywood icon, who was married eight times to seven men (she was Mrs. Richard Burton twice) replied. "For me, life happened, just as it does for anyone else. I have been supremely lucky in my life in that I have known great love, and of course I am the temporary custodian of some incredible and beautiful things. But I have never felt more alive than when I watched my children delight in something, never more alive than when I have watched a great artist perform, and never richer than when I have scored a big check to fight AIDS. Follow your passion, follow your heart, and the things you need will come."

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