Martha Stewart, 85, reveals brands give her massive $40k wardrobe budget to attend runway shows

Martha Stewart says she's provided with a budget of $40,000 for her outfits to sit at fashion runway shows.

The 85-year-old lifestyle expert appeared on the first episode of the MasterClass podcast Other People's Business on Tuesday, where she explained the funding is part of how things have shifted in the fashion industry when factoring in the impact of influencers.

'It interests me tremendously how things have changed,' the Jersey City-born businesswoman told MasterClass CEO David Rogier. 'Now the influencers are getting paid either in goods.'

The star, who is worth an estimated $400million, continued, 'I mean, I get asked to go to a fashion show, and I then get $40,000 worth of clothes.'

'That's a lot of money - $40,000 to dress me to go to the fashion show - just to show up... that's so nice - I love that gig!'

Rogier clarified: 'They're giving you $40,000 worth of clothes so you can buy whatever you want to wear and wear it to the show - and you get to keep the clothes.'

The Daily Mail has reached out to representatives for Stewart for further comment on the story.

In February, Stewart was prominently seated at New York Fashion Week for the Carolina Herrera show. Last month, she was seen at the spring showcase for TWP in New York City.

During her appearance on the new podcast, Stewart said that she felt that the clout of contemporary influencers could be measured by their bottom lines.

'You can be an influencer,' she said, 'but if you're not making money at it, you're not really an influencer.'

Stewart continued: 'You have to make money - my philosophy has always been, if I'm going to work hard, I want to be paid. I have not really worked for nothing.'

Rogier inquired where the profitability was for influencers, offering factors such as sponsorships, appearances and book lines.

Stewart said that 'everything has changed with the advent of the internet, of social media, [and] with the failure of monthly advertisers for TV shows and magazines.'

Stewart said she made her 'first big money' in the industry with The Martha Stewart Everyday brand for Kmart, as she was making $65 million annually in royalties.

In the interview, Stewart also spoke about her friendship with Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner.

'I love her, and I love her mother,' Stewart said. 'I visited them and they are just - they keep everything a little bit under their wings.'

Asked by Rogier if Kim has ever asked her for advice, Stewart said: 'We've talked, but she doesn't need my advice.

'That, that group is really, really good, and I really admire it,' Stewart said. 'And she's flying around in a G5 - I don't have a G5!'

New episodes of Other People’s Business will come out each Wednesday on platforms including Apple, Spotify and YouTube.