"Wrong day for Parra", said one disgruntled shopper to another in the Westfield Parramatta on Saturday afternoon.
It was indeed a very bad day to be at this particular shopping centre, unless of course you were one of several hundred Kim Kardashian West fans who pitched up to catch a glimpse of their idol.
The assembled hordes, many of whom had queued overnight, were there for a rare meet and greet with arguably the most famous woman in the world, and joined a throng of media, security guards handing out water to the dedicated crowd and bemused police officers trying to wrangle a relatively polite assembly of teenage girls.
Deafening screams broke out as the Queen of Selfies took to the stage about 2.15pm on Saturday, wearing a figure-hugging orange minidress. She briefly thanked fans before, of course, getting her phone out and photographing the crowd before signing autographs for the very long line in front of her.
First up was Georgia Mills, 15, from Cronulla, whose mum had dropped her off there at 5am. Breathless and shaking as she came off stage, she said: "My eyes were watering and I said to her, I love you so much. I said 'Can I have a hug' and she said if you can reach me,' but security moved me on for being too slow.
"I just think she's amazing. She's so hot. This is right up there in the top moments of my life."
Mills got access to her idol for the price of a $14 Kardashian Kollection lip gloss. To be in with a chance of getting signed photos from the reality TV star, fans had to pitch up with a receipt for something bought from the family clothing and accessories empire within the past few weeks.
There were no guarantees though – the first 200 got a pink wristband, the next 200 got a white wristband for a "maybe", with the stragglers over 400 in line were getting a blue band and very little chance of making it through.
Olivia Spadafoa, 24, and Amy Labana, 28, both from Toronto in Canada, were bearers of a blue band, despite queuing since 9am, on top of 33 hours of travelling to make their Australian holiday. Olivia said she adored Kardashian's style. "I feel like we're the same person. I can relate to the stories on her show, her break-ups and make-ups. She always stays positive."
Kim Kardashian West has been accompanying husband rapper Kanye West on his Australian tour over the past week – he played the Sydney Qantas Credit Union Arena on Friday and Saturday nights – but took time out to spruik her clothing business.
Forbes estimates that the family fashion business could have reaped up to $US600 million last year, earning Kim and sisters Khloe and Kourtney a cut in the region of $US30 million. Estimates on Kim Kardashian's own personal worth vary widely, but is believed to be in the region of $US45 million, mainly gained from lucrative personal appearances.
The power couple, travelling with 14-month-old daughter North in tow, have been in Australia since early September for Kanye's Yeezus tour and have been relatively low-key, aside from an incident in which Kanye was reportedly hospitalised for a migraine before his Melbourne show on Wednesday.
