Kim Kardashian is no longer just a reality TV icon; she’s an undeniable force in global business. With her fashion and shapewear brand Skims now valued at a staggering $5 billion, Kardashian’s transformation from pop culture personality to billion dollar mogul is complete.
On Wednesday, Skims announced it had secured $225 million in new funding, led by Goldman Sachs Alternatives and billionaire Byron Trott’s BDT & MSD Partners. The deal boosts Kardashian’s personal net worth to an estimated $1.9 billion, according to Forbes, cementing her as one of the most powerful women in fashion and entertainment.
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Launched in 2019 by Kardashian and cofounders Jens Grede and Emma Grede, Skims began as a direct-to-consumer shapewear brand promising comfort, inclusivity, and confidence. Today, it has evolved into a global lifestyle label with offerings that now span loungewear, outerwear, and men’s apparel. Skims’ journey from online startup to retail powerhouse includes over 20 stores across the U.S. and Mexico, with plans to expand even further.
“This milestone reflects continued confidence in our long-term vision,” said CEO Jens Grede in a statement. “It positions Skims to unlock its next phase of growth.”
For Kardashian, that growth means more than just numbers. As chief creative officer, she remains deeply involved in every design, campaign, and product rollout. “I do everything from the design to picking out all the campaigns,” she said recently on The Graham Norton Show. “That’s my daily job.”
Skims’ meteoric rise mirrors Kardashian’s evolution, a brand built not on controversy but on cultural understanding and smart business instincts. The company’s latest move into beauty hints at an even broader ambition. Earlier this year, Skims acquired Coty’s 20 percent stake in SKKN by Kim, Kardashian’s skincare venture, signaling plans to build a unified beauty and fashion empire under the Skims umbrella. To lead the charge, the company recently hired Ami Colé founder Diarrha N’Diaye to head its new beauty and fragrance division.
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Partnerships with global brands also continue to strengthen its cultural influence. In February, Skims teamed up with Nike for a women’s activewear collaboration, an alliance that merges Kardashian’s pop appeal with athletic innovation. A new collection featuring socks, waist packs, and training gloves drops this week.
Though her family’s fame laid the foundation, Kardashian’s fortune now stands on her own strategic decisions. She reportedly holds just under one-third ownership of Skims, a stake that defines her as both creative visionary and corporate powerhouse.
As Skims eyes $1 billion in annual net sales this year, up from $750 million in 2023, one thing is clear: Kim Kardashian’s empire is no longer about celebrity, it’s about legacy.
