Who Owns Skims?

Skims is co-owned by founders Kim Kardashian, Jens Grede, and Emma Grede, alongside institutional investors including Goldman Sachs Alternatives, Thrive Capital, and Wellington Management. The brand reached a $5 billion valuation in November 2025 and launched the NikeSkims activewear line the same year.

Who Owns Skims?

Skims is privately held. Founders Kim Kardashian, Jens Grede, and Emma Grede retain controlling stakes alongside a roster of institutional investors. Kim Kardashian holds approximately 35% of the company, making her the largest individual shareholder.

CEO Jens Grede and Emma Grede hold significant co-founder equity. Goldman Sachs Alternatives, BDT and MSD Partners, Thrive Capital, Lone Pine Capital, D1 Capital Partners, and Wellington Management own the institutional majority. The cap table sits between two worlds, founder-led brand stewardship and the late-stage discipline seen at large consumer companies preparing for public markets.

Skims Origin, Founders and Early Years

The Founding Trio

Skims was co-founded in June 2019 by American media personality Kim Kardashian and Swedish-born entrepreneurs Jens and Emma Grede. Kardashian set creative direction, Jens Grede took the CEO seat, and Emma Grede led product development and inclusive sizing strategy.

Launch and First-Year Traction

The first collection sold out in ten minutes on September 10, 2019, generating over $2 million in revenue on day one. The brand reported selling more than three million products in its first year, echoing the early traction seen at other celebrity-led ventures built on inclusive product lines.

Largest Shareholders of Skims

Who Is on the Board of Directors for Skims?

Founders and Creative Leadership

Institutional Investors and Financial Oversight

Operations and Strategic Expertise

Skims Products and Services

Skims Mission Statement

Skims describes itself as “a solutions-oriented brand creating the next generation of underwear, loungewear, and shapewear.” The stated goal is to set new standards by offering options for every body, from technically constructed shapewear that enhances curves to underwear that stretches to twice its size.

The mission centers on inclusivity. Sizes run from XXS to 5XL, and the shade range covers over ten skin tones, solving a problem Kim Kardashian first encountered in her own search for matching shapewear, a customer-first approach also seen at other founder-led fashion houses.

CEO Jens Grede has publicly stated his preference for building “a generational brand,” pointing to long-term independence over a strategic sale.

How Did Skims Get Its Name?

Skims launched as Kimono Intimates in June 2019. The original name drew immediate backlash for cultural appropriation since “kimono” refers to traditional Japanese dress.

Kim Kardashian turned to her 61 million Twitter followers to crowdsource a replacement, a public-feedback approach taken by other fast-changing apparel brands when navigating reputational shifts.

The brand was renamed Skims Solutionwear in August 2019, and the September 10 launch proceeded as planned. The name references the soft, body-skimming fabrics in the products while creating a rhyming association with the founder’s name. The trademark is held by parent entity Skims Body, Inc., based in Culver City, California.

FAQs

Is Skims still operational?

Yes. Skims reached a $5 billion valuation in November 2025 after a Goldman Sachs-led round and is expanding internationally, with overseas stores planned for 2026 in addition to its 18 US locations and one Mexican store.

Who owns Skims?

Skims is co-owned by founders Kim Kardashian, Jens Grede, and Emma Grede, with institutional investors including Goldman Sachs Alternatives, BDT and MSD Partners, Thrive Capital, Lone Pine Capital, D1 Capital, Wellington Management, and Imaginary Ventures.

Is Skims an American company?

Yes. Skims is headquartered in Culver City, California, and incorporated as Skims Body, Inc. It was co-founded in June 2019 by American media personality Kim Kardashian alongside Swedish-born entrepreneurs Emma and Jens Grede.

When did Skims come out?

Skims launched on September 10, 2019, after its original Kimono name drew cultural appropriation criticism. The first collection sold out within minutes of release, recording more than $2 million in revenue on day one.

What is the net worth of Skims?

Skims is valued at $5 billion as of November 2025, following a $225 million Series D round led by Goldman Sachs Alternatives. The company reported $750 million in revenue and $190 million in net profit for 2023.