Kim Kardashian
Co-founder and chief creative officer of Skims
Kim Kardashian is an American media personality and businesswoman who co-founded the shapewear and apparel brand Skims in 2019 and serves as its chief creative officer. Skims, valued at 5 billion dollars in November 2025, has made her one of the most commercially significant celebrity founders in fashion.
| Role | Co-founder and chief creative officer, Skims |
|---|---|
| Founded | Skims, 2019 |
| Other ventures | SKKN by Kim, SKKY Partners |
| Born | 1980, Los Angeles |
| Nationality | American |
Who is Kim Kardashian?
Kim Kardashian, born in 1980 in Los Angeles, rose to fame through reality television and social media before building a portfolio of consumer businesses. In fashion she is best known as co-founder and chief creative officer of Skims, which she launched with chief executive Jens Grede and founding partner Emma Grede.
Career in business
Kardashian's first major product businesses were in beauty. She founded KKW Beauty and KKW Fragrance in 2017; both were closed in 2022, when she launched the skincare line SKKN by Kim. In April 2022 she also set up the private equity firm SKKY Partners, where she moved to the role of senior operating adviser in December 2024.
Skims launched in June 2019 with shapewear in a wide range of sizes and skin tone shades. It has since expanded into underwear, loungewear, menswear and activewear. Key milestones include:
- 2021: official athleisure provider for Team USA and a collaboration with Fendi
- 2023: official underwear partner of the NBA, WNBA and USA Basketball, and a valuation of 4 billion dollars
- 2025: the NikeSKIMS partnership and a 225 million dollar funding round led by Goldman Sachs Alternatives at a 5 billion dollar valuation
- Physical retail with 18 owned US stores by late 2025
Fashion industry presence
Beyond her own brands, Kardashian has taken part in the luxury fashion system. In July 2022 she walked in Balenciaga's couture show in Paris, and in September 2022 she curated a Dolce&Gabbana spring summer 2023 collection drawing on the house's archive from 1987 to 2007. Her appearances at events such as the Met Gala are widely covered by fashion media.
Influence on the fashion business
Kardashian's main contribution is commercial: she has shown how a celebrity with a very large direct audience can launch products with limited paid marketing and sell out drops within minutes. Skims pairs that reach with an experienced operating team, which has allowed the brand to move beyond a typical celebrity licence towards a full fashion company with stores, wholesale and sports partnerships.
Why it matters
Skims is one of the largest fashion brands created in the social media era, with expected net sales above 1 billion dollars in 2025. Kardashian's role in it makes her a reference point for any discussion of creator-led brands, the economics of attention and the convergence of entertainment and retail.
Frequently asked questions
What is Kim Kardashian's role at Skims?
Kim Kardashian is co-founder and chief creative officer of Skims, which she launched in 2019 with Jens Grede and Emma Grede. Jens Grede is the company's chief executive.
How big is Skims?
Skims was valued at 5 billion dollars after a 225 million dollar funding round in November 2025. The company expected net sales above 1 billion dollars for 2025 and operated 18 owned stores in the United States.