Skims, the shapewear and apparel brand co-founded by Kim Kardashian, has reached a $5bn (£2.93bn) valuation after securing $225m in new funding from investors including Goldman Sachs.

The company said the new capital will help it expand globally and open more physical stores. “We can’t wait to take Skims to the next level as we continue to innovate and set the standard for our industry,” Kardashian said on Wednesday.

The fundraising is one of the biggest this year for a US consumer brand and comes as Skims faces strong competition from companies like Lululemon and Alo Yoga.

Founded in 2019, Skims started with a line of shapewear before expanding into loungewear, underwear and casual basics. It now operates 18 stores in the US and sells through international retailers. The company says it will focus “predominantly” on physical retail in the coming years.

Chief executive Jens Grede said Skims expects to surpass $1bn in sales this year, giving the brand “the confidence to pursue its long-term vision.”

Skims’ success has been powered by sleek design, inclusive sizing, and celebrity influence — with Kardashian, her family, and stars like Megan Fox and Paris Hilton helping to drive global attention.

But the brand has also faced controversy. Its original name, Kimono Intimates, was dropped after criticism for cultural insensitivity. More recently, a Skims “sleep head wrap” divided opinion online: some praised it as a beauty innovation, while others called it dystopian and said it reinforced insecurities.

Despite the debates, Skims continues to grow at a rapid pace. With its billion-dollar milestone within reach and global expansion underway, Kardashian’s label is positioning itself as one of the defining fashion success stories of the decade.

Источник: https://the-civic-post.com/component/k2/item/215467