Kim Kardashian’s Skims Secures $225 Million at $5 Billion Valuation

Skims, the shapewear and apparel brand co-founded by Kim Kardashian, Emma Grede, and Jens Grede, has raised $225 million in new funding, pushing its valuation to $5 billion. The latest round was led by Goldman Sachs Alternatives, with participation from BDT & MSD Partners and other existing investors. Skims said the funds will be used to expand its apparel and activewear lines, strengthen its retail presence, and accelerate international growth.

Founded in 2019, Skims has become one of the fastest-growing fashion labels in the U.S., driven by Kardashian’s global influence and the Gredes’ strategic expertise. The company projects over $1 billion in net sales by 2025 and currently operates 18 retail stores in the U.S. along with two in Mexico. Industry analysts say the new capital solidifies Skims’ standing as a likely IPO candidate. “The fundraise adds to an already strong investor roster, positioning Skims as a credible IPO contender,” said Eric Bellomo, senior e-commerce analyst at PitchBook.

The brand’s journey began several years before its official launch, with Emma Grede, a British entrepreneur and co-founder of Good American, developing the early concept for a shapewear line centered on inclusivity and body diversity. After achieving success with Khloé Kardashian on Good American, Emma approached the Kardashian-Jenner family again—this time bringing Kim Kardashian on board to help lead a global brand that could combine innovation, functionality, and mass appeal. Together with her husband, Jens Grede, who would later become Skims’ CEO, the Gredes built the strategic and operational backbone of the company. Kardashian’s creative direction and cultural reach propelled the idea into a worldwide phenomenon.

The company was initially introduced under the name Kimono, a move that faced immediate backlash for cultural appropriation. Within a week, Kardashian responded to public criticism, renamed the brand Skims, and relaunched it in September 2019 with a 36-piece direct-to-consumer collection. The debut sold out in minutes, setting the tone for Skims’ future “drop” model of limited, high-demand releases. From the start, the brand focused on inclusive design, offering nine skin tones and sizes from XXS to 4XL, challenging the long-standing norms of the shapewear market.

Kardashian remains the largest shareholder and chief creative officer, known for personally testing products and shaping the brand’s image. Jens Grede oversees business operations and expansion, while Emma Grede, as founding partner and chief product architect, plays a central role in product development and brand direction. Early investors included Imaginary Ventures (founded by Natalie Massenet and Nick Brown), Alliance Consumer Growth, and Thrive Capital, led by Josh Kushner. The Skims board now includes Kardashian, the Gredes, Nick Brown, and Kris Jenner, reflecting the tight integration of entrepreneurial and family leadership.

Over the years, Skims has diversified far beyond shapewear, expanding into swimwear, activewear, and menswear, the latter launched with high-profile campaigns featuring Neymar Jr., Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Nick Bosa. The brand has also forged collaborations with luxury houses such as Fendi, Swarovski, Dolce & Gabbana, and The North Face, further bridging the gap between luxury fashion and accessible essentials.

With retail partnerships through Nordstrom and Net-a-Porter, and flagship stores now open in New York and Los Angeles, Skims continues to build a global retail presence. Its marketing remains bold and celebrity-driven, featuring icons like Lana Del Rey, Paris Hilton, and Kate Moss, while maintaining visibility through partnerships with Team USA, the NBA, and the WNBA.

Skims’ rise mirrors a broader wave of celebrity-founded consumer brands drawing major venture capital interest—alongside Hailey Bieber’s Rhode, Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty, and Khloé Kardashian’s Good American. But Skims’ distinct blend of strategic leadership, product inclusivity, and cultural relevance has made it the standout. Through Emma Grede’s entrepreneurial vision, Jens Grede’s operational expertise, and Kim Kardashian’s cultural influence, Skims has transformed from an idea born of necessity into a $5 billion global empire, redefining the modern shapewear industry and setting a new standard for celebrity-led entrepreneurship.