💌 SKIMS — Key Facts
| Company Name | SKIMS Body Inc. |
| Founder | Kim Kardashian (co-founder & chief creative officer) |
| Co-Founder / CEO | Emma Grede |
| Launched | September 2019 |
| Valuation (2023) | $4 billion (Series C, January 2023) |
| Funding Raised | $270 million Series C (2023) |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Type | Private — not publicly listed |
SKIMS is the shapewear, underwear, and loungewear brand co-founded by Kim Kardashian and Emma Grede in 2019 that has grown into a multi-billion dollar fashion company. Private and not publicly listed, SKIMS was valued at $4 billion in January 2023 following a $270 million Series C funding round — making it one of the most valuable celebrity-founded fashion brands in history.
Who Is the Owner of SKIMS?
SKIMS Body Inc. is co-owned by its founders, Kim Kardashian (chief creative officer and public face) and Emma Grede (CEO and operational leader). Emma’s husband, Jens Grede, is also deeply involved in the business. Kim Kardashian brings an unparalleled global platform — with hundreds of millions of social media followers — while Emma Grede provides the operational and product expertise; she previously co-founded Good American (with Khloé Kardashian) and has deep fashion industry experience. External institutional investors participated in the Series C round, diluting the founders slightly, but both Kardashian and Grede retain significant ownership stakes.
From Controversial Launch to Fashion Powerhouse
SKIMS launched in September 2019 — after initial controversy over Kim Kardashian’s original choice of the brand name “Kimono,” which she changed following protests from Japanese communities over cultural insensitivity. The renamed SKIMS sold out within minutes of launch, generating $2 million in sales on day one. The brand rapidly expanded beyond shapewear into underwear, loungewear, swimwear, and home products — becoming a comprehensive “solutions” apparel brand for all body types and skin tones.
Brand Power and Celebrity Partnerships
SKIMS’s marketing strategy is built on Kim Kardashian’s personal brand and high-profile celebrity partnerships. The brand was named the official underwear of Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics, collaborating with the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee — a legitimizing move that expanded SKIMS’s reach well beyond its celebrity roots. Other partnerships include a men’s collection and ongoing collaborations with athletes and models. The brand’s inclusivity in sizing (up to 5X) and skin-tone range has also driven genuine consumer loyalty beyond celebrity association.
