SKIMS: From Shapewear to a $5 Billion Powerhouse
- Matheus Hooks/ Editor-In-Chief
- 12 hours ago
- 3 min read
In less than six years, what began as Kim Kardashian’s vision of “solutionwear” has evolved into one of the most valuable fashion brands of the decade. This week, Skims reached a monumental milestone: a $5 billion valuation, following a $225 million funding round led by Goldman Sachs.
For a company born online in 2019, built around the promise of comfort, inclusivity, and modern femininity, the number represents more than financial success — it marks a cultural turning point.
A Revolution in the Basics
When Kim Kardashian and entrepreneur Jens Grede launched Skims, the goal wasn’t just to sell shapewear. It was to redefine it. Gone were the days of discomfort and invisibility; in their place came a product that celebrated the body rather than hiding it. With multiple skin tones, inclusive sizing, and sleek, minimalist branding, Skims turned the most intimate pieces of clothing into symbols of empowerment.
“I created Skims because I couldn’t find anything that really matched my skin tone or made me feel comfortable all day,” Kim explained. “I wanted something that felt like a second skin — supportive, soft, and empowering at the same time.”
What started as a small direct-to-consumer brand soon became a cultural staple — featured on runways, in everyday wardrobes, and across the world’s biggest retail platforms.
The Strategy Behind the Empire
Behind the glossy campaigns and celebrity endorsement lies a calculated, disciplined business strategy. The brand’s success rests on five pillars: inclusivity, innovation, digital dominance, smart expansion, and cultural influence.
From the start, Kardashian leveraged her immense social media reach to create a sense of intimacy between brand and consumer. Every product drop became an event. Every collection told a story.
“I’ve always loved storytelling through fashion,” Kim shared. “With Skims, every launch is personal. It’s about listening to what people actually want — not just what the industry says they should wear.”
Now, Skims is scaling beyond the screen. With physical retail stores in the U.S. and plans for global expansion, the company is setting its sights on the next stage of luxury lifestyle branding. Its recent collaboration with Nike — blending performance wear with Skims’ signature aesthetic — further cements its position in the athleisure and activewear market.
Redefining Success in Fashion
The $5 billion valuation positions Skims above legacy names like Victoria’s Secret and Under Armour — a testament to the power of relevance over tradition. Investors aren’t just betting on Kim Kardashian’s celebrity; they’re investing in a business model that reflects modern consumer values: diversity, body positivity, and authenticity.
“From day one, we wanted Skims to feel like a community, not just a company,” Kim said. “I think that’s why people connect with it — because they see themselves in the brand.”
More importantly, Skims demonstrates how a celebrity brand can transcend the fleeting nature of fame. Kardashian, once dismissed by critics as a reality star capitalizing on her name, has now built a legitimate business empire — one that influences how the world perceives comfort, beauty, and confidence.
What Comes Next
With annual sales projected to exceed $1 billion in 2025, Skims is entering a defining chapter. The company’s next frontier lies in expanding into new categories — men’s collections, beauty, and accessories — while maintaining the core philosophy that made it iconic: every body deserves to feel at ease in its own skin.
“As we grow, I never want to lose that feeling — the idea that Skims is for everyone,” Kim emphasized. “It doesn’t matter your body type, your age, your background — everyone deserves to feel confident.”
As Kim herself once said, “It’s not just about shapewear; it’s about confidence. I wanted to create something that helps people feel like the best version of themselves.”
That mission has now turned into a multibillion-dollar empire — and a powerful statement that the future of fashion belongs to those who combine purpose with precision.
