It's not every day you find yourself painting pop culture's most famous body with silver theatrical paint.  But when W Magazine called Gucci for its November 2010 editorial of Kim Kardashian, that was the creative brief.  In the lead up to the shoot, Gucci experimented with pro pigments from Kryolan and Makeup Forever that could transform the reality television star into a molten goddess. "She had to look wet but it couldn't come off," recalls Gucci of prepping for a pivotal shot in which Kardashian—nude save for a liquid metallic powder veil— was dipped in a tub of non-toxic matching paint.   

As for the final cover shot? It featured Kardashian wearing nothing but artist Barbara Kruger's strategically placed text. Here, in honor of W magazine's 50th anniversary, Gucci recalls the method and the madness behind the memorable shoot. Plus, she looks back on another cover that took Kardashian into stripped back territory to stunning effect with lip balm, highlighter and black liquid eyeliner. 

Watch the full "Behind the Covers" video now!  Then, check out more insider episodes, like Taylor Swift's mod squad look for Vogue and Anne Hathaway's buzzy bombshell turn for Interview.