Her beloved underwear brand SKIMS has taken the world by storm, rising in the four short years since it was founded to become the world’s go-to label for figure-flattering shapewear – and reaching a value of $4billion in the process. And this week, Kim Kardashian unveiled her plans to take her company to even loftier heights, with the release of SKIMS MENS, adding men’s boxers, briefs, undershirts, T-shirts, tank tops and leggings to its constantly expanding collection.

Announcing the news with the help of three very fit and famous fellas – Brazilian footballer Neymar, NBA player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and NFL player Nick Bosa – Kim said in a statement that this marked a “major milestone” for the brand, adding that having the three famous sportsmen on board to model the line, “Speaks volumes to the way SKIMS has evolved”.

But while she’s busy celebrating her expansion into menswear, we’re told that – behind the scenes – Kim is already plotting how to take her women’s line to the stratosphere. Having already found that enlisting big, and sometimes unexpected, names to model her brand is a marketing goldmine, she’s now on the hunt to recruit the very best of the best to strip down for SKIMS. And top of her wishlist is, of course, the woman’s that’s still got all of Hollywood talking. Strike a pose, Meghan Markle.

“Getting Meghan to model for SKIMS would be a huge coup for Kim,” says an insider close to the super savvy businesswoman, who knows full well what the right celebrity backing can do. “The level of publicity would be unmatched, so she’s very motivated to make it happen. Having that endorsement from classy, fashion-forward celebrity peers and paying them to be ambassadors alongside her is a big strategy that she’s using to grow SKIMS. So far, she’s had some great names on board, but having Meghan step forward and lend her name and image next would be the ultimate cherry on top.”

It’s true that SKIMS’ marketing strategy has been a dazzling display of what can happen with the right endorsement. Adding to her long line of brand ambassadors, Kim has recently recruited singer Nelly Furtado, actress Lana Condor and – to much public fanfare – actress Kim Cattrall. The latter, looking amazing at 67, was a massive win for the brand, considering her close association with high fashion quality and luxury. According to our source, getting Meghan on side – in Kim’s eyes – would be a similar stamp of approval. We’re told, “Kim’s learned a lot about business from her mum. She’s very aware that to make the right impact, she needs the very best star power available. Meghan’s internationally acclaimed, she’s glamorous in Kim’s eyes, and is the ideal person to have on board.”

As for Meghan’s thoughts, our insider tells us that – though this is something she would have instantly disregarded in recent years – she’s now not giving it such an instant rebuff. As heat has previously told you, her initial plans to conquer Hollywood haven’t quite gone to plan, despite all efforts to the contrary. While her and husband Prince Harry’s Netflix documentary, Harry & Meghan, was a ratings hit, they’ve now dug themselves into something of a hole, where public interest in them lies in them continuing to dish the dirt and open the doors to cameras. In other words, there’s pressure on them to “do a Kardashians” and follow in the example of America’s most famous family by putting themselves more on display than ever before. The fact that, earlier this year, Spotify pulled the plug on their $20 million audio deal, after Meghan produced just 12 episodes of content for her podcast Archetypes, is a sign that they’re running out of options when it comes to upping their influence and earning potential. 

Meanwhile, having shut down her personal Instagram page and lifestyle blog, The Tig, when she married into the royal family, the rumour mill has been in overdrive over Meghan’s plans to relaunch both and take both to new heights. Sources say she’s hoping to echo the success of Gwyneth Paltrow – who she and Harry were pictured having lunch with, alongside Cameron Diaz and their respective husbands earlier this year – and her megabusiness Goop. Doing so would mean she’d be stepping fully back into the lifestyle arena – and signing a deal with one of the biggest and hottest brands of the moment would ensure she makes the biggest splash possible. What’s more, history has proven that Harry and Meghan aren’t so inclined to turn away from a project if the price is right. If Kim gives Meghan an offer she can’t refuse, then it’s very possible that – soon enough – we’ll be seeing her splashed across billboards in her skimpies, proving the company’s strap line, “Everybody’s wearing SKIMS!”

“Talks are at a very early stage,” says our source. “Meghan’s hesitant to put herself in the firing line right now, so it does seem like a long shot, even if she does have a lot of respect for Kim and a growing relationship with her family as a whole. But Kim’s willing to be patient – she’s saying the door is open whenever Meghan’s ready. This is a long-term goal that she’s quietly confident is something she’ll ultimately pull off.”

As heat has reported, a Kardashian-Markle alliance is already something that’s busy in the works. In August, Meghan’s mum Doria Ragland was pictured cosying up to Kim and her momager, Kris Jenner, at a charity do, with all three parties looking delighted to be together. Since then, Meghan herself has been spotted mixing with the Kardashian clan at several of Beyoncé’s concerts in LA. At this point, it’s pretty much Hollywood gospel that Kris Jenner’s word is sacred – her social cachet and know-how is unmatched, and Meghan knows she could do very well from having Kris on side. If she were to model for SKIMS, one can only imagine what she might receive in recompense. Showbiz is built on pacts and promises and – according to our source – both parties know they have a lot to gain from helping each other out.

With all that being said, we can only hope to see Meghan appear in a future episode of the Kardashians, stripping down to her SKIMS for the cameras as Kris coos, “You’re doing amazing, sweetie!” It may seem far-fetched, but this is Hollywood. Nothing is impossible.