Most people think of SKIMS as just a shapewear brand. Which, given the significant impact the brand has had in the shapewear community, is understandable. But if you’ve been a fan for a while, you know they’re so much more than that.
Yes, SKIMS makes amazing shapewear with innovative fabric technology that actually sculpts that hourglass figure without making you feel suffocated by your goals (or your underwear). But beyond shapewear, SKIMS has grown into a full lifestyle brand. They offer everything from loungewear, bras, swimsuits, maternity wear, and recently, a men’s line! (Oh, and they’re one of the best affordable lingerie brands out there.)
What really sets SKIMS apart is its modern, minimalist design. It’s ultra chic, flattering on a variety of skin tones, and versatile for any wardrobe. Plus, their messaging is inclusive, empowering, and inspirational without ever feeling inauthentic.
Now, when someone mentions SKIMS, who do you think of first? The Kardashians, right? They’ve played a major role in the brand’s rise. But there are other impressive women behind SKIMS that deserve just as much of your attention.
Today, we’re talking about Emma Grede, a visionary entrepreneur and strategic brand builder with an incredible résumé. Here’s what you need to know about this entrepreneurial icon:
Who Is Emma Grede and Her Connection with SKIMS?
Emma Grede grew up in East London with her single mother and three younger sisters, surrounded by a rich Jamaican and Trinidadian heritage. After finishing high school, she attended the London College of Fashion to study business management and marketing. This experience was short-lived though as she quickly landed internships at Gucci and other top fashion houses.
She spent a few years working in fashion and event planning before founding ITB Worldwide, a talent and influencer marketing agency she later sold to Rogers & Cowan. After that exit, Emma co-founded Good American with Khloé Kardashian and went on to build several other hugely successful brands. We’re sure you’ve probably heard of most of them!
What Is Emma Grede Known For?
Emma Grede is recognized as one of America’s richest self-made women, with a net worth exceeding $405 million. Her entrepreneurial impact spans several popular brands, including SKIMS, Good American, Safely, Off Season, and more.
Does Emma Grede Own Skims?
Emma Grede and her husband, Jens, own a majority stake in the brand SKIMS. However, they founded the company together with Kim Kardashian, who is also a partial owner. While the exact ownership percentages haven’t been publicly disclosed, Kim, Emma, and Jens are the known owners and partners of SKIMS.
How Did Emma Grede Meet the Kardashians?
Emma met Kris Jenner at Paris Fashion Week in 2013. During their conversation, they discussed Emma’s business ambitions and the entrepreneurial goals of Kris’s daughters, Kim and Khloé Kardashian.
They connected well, and Kris introduced Emma to Khloé so they could collaborate on Emma’s idea for an inclusive denim brand. This partnership led to the launch of the extremely popular and successful brand, Good American, in 2016. After the success of that collaboration, Emma teamed up with Kim Kardashian in 2019 to co-found SKIMS.
What Does Emma Grede Do?
Founding Partner and Chief Product Officer of SKIMS
As we mentioned, Emma is a founding partner and partial owner of SKIMS. She also serves as Chief Product Officer, where she leads product development, drives brand strategy, and oversees market expansion. You can hear more about her approach to collaborative creativity and her passion for product innovation in her interview on the Him & Her Show.
CEO and Co-Founder of Good American
In 2016, Emma Grede launched Good American with Khloé Kardashian—a size-inclusive denim and apparel brand. Not only does Good American offer sizes 00 to 24, they also include often-overlooked in-between sizes.
The brand made headlines with over $1 million in sales on its first day, making it the largest denim launch in history. As CEO, Emma leads product development and stays closely connected to customers, regularly reviewing feedback to continuously improve the brand.
Co-Founder of Safely
In 2021, Emma Grede partnered with another Kardashian, this time Kris Jenner, to launch Safely. This is a non-toxic cleaning and self-care brand, offering products such as laundry detergent, hand soap, and scent diffusers. Each product is a testament to the fact that you can keep your home clean and fresh without harsh chemicals.
Co-Founder of Off Season
Recently, Emma Grede partnered with fashion designer Kristin Juszczyk to launch an elevated fan gear brand. The line features luxurious puffer jackets, spliced T-shirts, corset tops, and sweatpants—all with officially licensed NFL designs. Currently, Emma and her team offer styles representing the Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, and San Francisco 49ers.
Shark Tank and Lion’s Den Investor
As one of the richest and most successful entrepreneurs in America, Emma’s accomplishments don’t stop at fashion. That said, she’s also appeared on the popular series Shark Tank as well as the BBC’s Lion’s Den. She has made a total of five appearances and invested in several companies, including Range Beauty, Kin Apparel, and CAKES. As a mentor, she plays a vital role in guiding these brands, ultimately a major contributor to their ongoing success.
Host of Aspire with Emma Grede
If you think Emma Grede might be the busiest woman on the planet, you’re not alone. And somehow, she still manages to do more. Most recently, she launched a podcast called Aspire with Emma Grede, where she interviews fellow influential figures to discuss topics like entrepreneurship, personal growth, and wellness.
New episodes drop every Tuesday, so if you’re looking for something to fill the gap between the Him & Her Show’s twice-weekly episodes, add Aspire with Emma Grede to your queue.
Chairwoman of the 15 Percent Pledge
In 2020, fashion designer Aurora James launched the 15 Percent Pledge. This was a challenge to major retailers everywhere to dedicate at least 15% of their shelf space, sales, and purchasing power to Black-owned businesses. Why 15%, exactly? Because that’s roughly the percentage of the Black population in the U.S. Emma Grede was an early supporter of the initiative and later became an official Chairwoman.
As Chair, Grede helps hold businesses accountable to their commitments while giving them access to a database of thousands of Black-owned brands. The organization also supports companies in building meaningful inclusion programs. Since its launch, more than 35 corporations have taken the 15 Percent Pledge.
Board Member of the Obama Foundation
The Obama Foundation is a nonprofit organization that inspires, empowers, and connects people to create lasting change in their communities. It leads impactful programs such as the Democracy Forum, Obama Fellows, and the Global Girls Alliance, all of which have a global reach and positive influence. Emma serves on the Foundation’s Board of Directors, best known for building partnerships and supporting the next generation of leaders.
Public Speaker
Emma Grede is an inspiring figure, which makes her a frequent speaker at high-profile events. From the Forbes Women’s Power Summit to the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Summit, she’s shared her insights on some of the world’s biggest stages.
Her talks often cover topics like building billion-dollar brands, diversity in business, innovation, sustainability, philanthropy, and personal growth. With her candid storytelling and actionable strategies, she’s undoubtedly helped thousands of women take steps toward achieving their own goals.
Wife and Mom of Four
Despite her impressive résumé, what she’s most proud of is her family. In the Emma Grede episode of the Him & Her Show, she opens up about raising her four children in Los Angeles with her husband, Jens Grede. As you can imagine, balancing a demanding career with family life isn’t easy. But Emma approaches parenting with the same intentionality and creative spirit she brings to everything she does.
Emma Grede is a serial momtrepreneur we can all look up to.
Emma Grede is more than just a co-founder of SKIMS. She’s a powerhouse entrepreneur, a passionate advocate for inclusion, a devoted mom of four, and a role model for women in business everywhere.
Emma doesn’t just go from boardrooms to baby bottles—she also jumps from shaping brands to shaping lives. And through it all, she proves that success and purpose can go hand in hand. Whether you’re a fan of SKIMS or just discovering her story, one thing’s clear: Emma Grede is building a legacy that we all want to be a part of.
Feeling inspired? Let’s keep it going with more Him & Her Show episodes featuring female entrepreneurs: