Emma Grede didn’t start with a silver spoon or fashion pedigree, but today she’s a behind-the-scenes force in global style. As co-founder of Good American and founding partner of Skims, she’s helped steer two powerhouse brands—and her wealth now tops $300 million. Her story matters not just to fashion fans, but to anyone interested in entrepreneurship, diversity, and building something from nothing. Understanding the strategies and risks she took gives insight into how fashion empires are built today. Let’s trace how Emma Grede rose, what she controls now, and what she’s setting up next.
East London Origins and Early Hustle
Emma Grede was born in 1982 and raised in the Plaistow area of East London. Her mother supported the family after her father’s absence, instilling in Emma early lessons in grit. As a teen, she held odd jobs—delivering newspapers, working in shops—which she later says taught discipline and hustle. She enrolled at London College of Fashion but ultimately left to pursue a real-world opportunity over credentials. From that foundation, she began building networks in fashion and entertainment.
Before Good American or Skims, Grede made waves in publicity and talent marketing. In 2008, she co-founded ITB Worldwide, an agency bridging celebrities, brands, and campaigns. That gave her access to talent, influence, and brand relationships—assets she would later leverage. In 2018, ITB was acquired by Rogers & Cowan, giving it capital and experience. That exit allowed her to reallocate energy into direct fashion ventures rather than middleman roles.
One of her signature moves was co-founding Good American with Khloé Kardashian in 2016. The brand launched with a bold promise: inclusive sizing, product honesty, and celebrating real bodies. On day one, it reportedly sold over $1 million in denim—a signal that the market was hungry. Over time, Good American extended into dresses, swimwear, activewear, and more. Grede steered the brand’s identity as inclusive, premium, and disruptive in a crowded denim space.
Grede is also a founding partner of Skims, launched alongside Kim Kardashian and her husband, Jens Grede, in 2019. She serves as Chief Product Officer, overseeing design, fit, and innovation. Skims has grown rapidly, is valued at billions, and is often credited with changing how shapewear and comfort fashion are perceived. Her stake in Skims is significant and accounts for much of her net worth. The brand’s success reinforces how her fashion and business acumen merge.
Diversification: Safely, Off-Season & Purpose
Grede hasn’t confined herself to just fashion. In 2021, she co-founded Safely, a plant-powered cleaning and self-care brand, aiming to bring transparency and sustainable choice to everyday products. On top of that, she also teamed with Kristin Juszczyk to launch Off Season, an apparel brand linked to the NFL and Fanatics, blending style and sport. These moves show her strategy to spread exposure across lifestyle verticals. She’s also active in philanthropy and advocacy, such as chairing the Fifteen Percent Pledge, which pushes retailers to dedicate shelf space to Black-owned businesses.
Emma Grede: Net Worth, Stakes & Financial Footprint
Grede’s estimated net worth has been reported in the range of $320 million to $390 million in recent years. Much of that value comes from her stakes in Good American, Skims, and Safely. According to reports, she holds about 8% of Skims, around 23% in Good American, and a meaningful share in Safely. Her role on shows like Shark Tank and Dragons’ Den also raises her public profile—and gives her access to new investment flows. As Skims continues to scale, her stake’s value may keep climbing.
Even powerful founders face obstacles—and Grede is no exception. She’s spoken openly about being dyslexic, which she regards as a strength in creative problem solving. She also emphasizes trade-offs, balance, and boundaries—especially as a working mother and executive. Moving forward, she’s expanding her footprint into new sectors, continuing her activism, and growing her influence in fashion and business. Her ability to pivot, diversify, and maintain control over brand identity is arguably her biggest advantage.
Which part of Emma Grede’s story inspires you most—and what lessons would you try to apply in your own life or work? Let me know in the comments!
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The post Emma Grede: The Fashion Mogul Behind Good American & Skims Whose Net Worth Tops $300M appeared first on Plunged in Debt.
