Emma Grede: The Self-Made Powerhouse Behind Skims and Good American
Emma Grede didn’t just climb the fashion ladder she rewired it. Once a high school dropout from East London, Grede is now a self-made multimillionaire and a leading voice in fashion, inclusion, and entrepreneurship. She's co-founded two of the most disruptive fashion brands in recent history and is making sure Black-owned businesses are no longer sidelined.
What Brands Does Emma Grede Own?
Emma Grede is the co-founder and CEO of Good American, the inclusive denim and fashion brand she launched in 2016 alongside Khloé Kardashian. The brand was built on the principle that fashion should empower women of all shapes and sizes and it's now a global name with massive retail distribution.
She’s also a founding partner and Chief Product Officer at Skims, the shapewear juggernaut co-founded with Kim Kardashian. Skims has been hailed for changing the conversation around body image and comfort-driven fashion, with a valuation soaring past $4 billion as of 2023.
In addition to her fashion empire, Grede co-founded Safely, a plant-based home care brand, with Kris Jenner and Chrissy Teigen, further proving she’s a force across multiple consumer sectors.
Related: Kim Kardashian’s Billion-Dollar Empire: How She Built SKIMS
Related: The Kardashian-Jenner Empire: Which Sibling is the most successful?
What Percentage of Skims Does Emma Grede Own?
While Skims remains a private company and exact ownership details are closely guarded, reports suggest Emma Grede owns a significant minority stake, likely in the 8–10% range. Given Skims’ multi-billion dollar valuation, that stake alone is worth hundreds of millions, cementing her place on Forbes’ list of America’s Richest Self-Made Women.
A Champion for Black-Owned Businesses
Grede is not just building brands she's reshaping the system. Through her leadership in the Fifteen Percent Pledge, Grede has pushed major retailers to dedicate 15% of their shelf space and purchasing budgets to Black-owned businesses. The initiative has become a retail revolution, with major brands like Sephora and Macy’s committing to long-term structural change.
The Fashion Mogul Who Never Finished School
Emma Grede’s story defies convention. She dropped out of school at 16 to chase a dream in fashion — and that gamble paid off in ways no textbook could’ve predicted. From fashion internships in London to co-founding multi-million dollar brands in Los Angeles, her hustle, vision, and refusal to be boxed in have defined her meteoric rise.
She now serves as a role model for aspiring women entrepreneurs around the world not because she followed the rules, but because she rewrote them.
Conclusion
Emma Grede isn’t just a fashion mogul — she’s a movement. With her unstoppable drive, business brilliance, and commitment to representation, she’s transforming the industry from the inside out. Whether it’s the fit of your jeans, the brand in your beauty aisle, or the shape of your shapewear, chances are, Emma Grede had something to do with it.
