Instyle
Kim Kardashian’s shapewear brand, Skims, has reached a new milestone — a $5 billion (£2.93 billion) valuation — after securing $225 million in fresh investment.
The latest funding round, one of the largest this year for a US-based consumer company, included backing from investors such as Goldman Sachs Asset Management, an investment arm of the Wall Street banking giant. Skims said the capital will be used to open additional stores and accelerate its international expansion strategy.
“We’re beyond excited to take Skims to the next level as we continue to innovate and set new standards for our industry,” Kardashian said in a statement on Wednesday.
Founded in 2019 by Kardashian and entrepreneur Jens Grede, Skims began as a shapewear label but has since expanded into loungewear, intimates, and athleisure. The company has quickly become a major force in the apparel market, competing with established players like Lululemon and Alo Yoga.
Currently, Skims operates 18 retail stores across the United States and distributes its products through select international retailers. In its statement, the company confirmed plans to focus “predominantly” on building its physical retail presence in the coming years.
Chief executive Jens Grede said that Skims’ strong financial performance has provided the confidence to scale further. “We expect to surpass $1 billion in sales this year, a figure that positions us strongly to pursue our long-term growth ambitions,” Grede noted.
Skims’ rapid rise has been fueled by a mix of celebrity influence, sleek branding, and strategic marketing campaigns. The brand’s partnerships and appearances by high-profile figures — including the Kardashian family, Megan Fox, and Paris Hilton — have helped cement its position in the global fashion market.
However, the company’s journey hasn’t been without controversy. When it first launched, Skims was called Kimono Intimates, a name that drew widespread criticism for cultural insensitivity toward Japan’s traditional attire. The backlash prompted Kardashian to rebrand the line as Skims, which has since become one of the most recognizable names in modern fashion.
The company also sparked debate with one of its more unconventional releases — a sleep head wrap marketed as a face-contouring product. While some hailed it as an innovative beauty accessory, others criticized it as a reflection of society’s growing obsession with physical perfection.
Despite the controversies, Skims’ momentum shows no sign of slowing. With its new funding, global expansion plans, and an ever-growing fan base, the brand appears poised to solidify its place at the top of the shapewear and lifestyle apparel industry.
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