SKIMS

Kim Kardashian. Photo: Getty
Kim Kardashian’s Instagram-favorite brand Skims has received a megawatt valuation of $3.2 billion just two years after launch, following a new $240 million Series B funding round.

The round was led by Lone Pine Capital, with additional participation from D1, and existing investors Thrive Capital, Imaginary Ventures and Alliance Consumer Growth. Skims, best known for its waist-cinching nude shapewear and underwear that stretches twice its size, will use the funds to accelerate its retail and brand partnerships as well as product innovation, according to the company.
Since its foundation as a shapewear brand in 2019, Skims has expanded into loungewear in 2019 and sleepwear in 2021. Kardashian co-founded the brand with entrepreneur Jens Grede. His wife, and Skims founding partner, Emma Grede, is also the co-founder of Khloé Kardashian’s Good American denim line.
Skims launched its first pop-up store in Galeries Lafayette. Photo: Getty
With 3.6 million followers on Instagram, Skims sits alongside Kardashian’s other brands, KKW Beauty and KKW Fragrance. Following the most recent valuation, Skims has eclipsed Kardashian’s cosmetics empire: she sold 20% of her beauty and fragrance company to Coty in 2021 for $200 million, valuing it at $1 billion.
Skims originally launched as an online direct-to-consumer brand and has since expanded to mainstream luxury stockists from Selfridges and Ssense to Net-a-Porter and Nordstrom. In November, its body-contouring clothes got the Fendi seal of approval, with a collaborative collection spanning shapewear, hosiery, ready-to-wear, beachwear and accessories. In January, Skims released its second capsule for Team USA, after the first — worn by Team USA athletes at the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo in 2020 — sold out in just 24 hours.
Originally published in Voguebusiness.com

Photo: Instagram/@skims
Kim Kardashian‘s Skims has been announced as the first-ever official loungewear outfitter for the national American team competing in the upcoming Tokyo Olympics. Shared on June 28, her shapewear brand will provide underwear, loungewear, and pajamas for female American athletes in the team. Meanwhile, Ralph Lauren, which has designed the opening and closing ceremony looks for Team USA since 2008, has designed this year’s outerwear too.

In anticipation of the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games scheduled to start on July 23, many national teams from around the world have also been proudly sharing their uniforms on social media, patriotically adorned with colors of their countries’ flags or familiar motifs, featuring designs by popular fashion brands.
Team Australia, for instance, is set to walk into Tokyo’s Japan National Stadium at the opening ceremony with their recently debuted green and gold Olympic uniforms by Asics. The shirts under the jackets, designed by Olympic super featherweight boxer and indigenous artist Paul Fleming, incorporate symmetrical designs of Japanese origami with 52 pairs of footsteps emerging from the centre, an an ode to indigenous athletes who have represented their country at the Games. Their stunning blazers, created by clothing brand Sportscraft, are lined with the monikers of 320 Australian gold medal winners.

Team Canada’s Olympic uniform for their closing ceremony, on the other hand, based on the ‘Canadian Tuxedo,’ took the Internet by a storm when it was announced last year. Canadian department store chain Hudson’s Bay collaborated with American denim brand Levi’s to create a denim jacket with striking patches on the front and black and red graffiti splattered on the back. More subdued red-and-white pieces, such as a warm-up jacket, striped track pants, and a T-shirt with a basic maple leaf motif, sit beneath this unconventional outerwear.
“Tokyo is also known for its street art and fashion,” Hudson’s Bay said. “We paid tribute to this in the must-have piece of the collection – the forever cool jean jacket. The graffiti graphic and unexpected patch placements capture a youthful and celebratory feel,” they added.

Eh, we hear people have been curious about our Canadian tuxedos after the release of @TeamUSA’s uniforms 🤔
Well you can 👀 all about our Tokyo 2020 kit here ➡️ https://t.co/ahIUBRTzhs pic.twitter.com/8hVSzRlOG5
— Team Canada (@TeamCanada) April 15, 2021

Team Turkey’s athletic wear, designed by Turkish designer Bünyamin Aydın, founder of famed Turkish brand Les Benjamins, was showcased just a few days ago on June 24 in the Turkish capital of Istanbul. The collection made use of Nike jersey uniforms, with a color scheme dominated by reds and whites, with some navy blue looks. Aydın explained how he merged his Turkish roots into the logo patterns for the official sportswear, visible on the accessories, tracksuits, windbreakers, zippered tops, and polos.
“The journey started off going back to my heritage. With my own brand Les Benjamins, I was always inspired by carpets and rugs and the heritage of them… I had to focus on Anatolian rugs, which are from this country. I went to the city where they create Anatolian rugs, and I was with the villagers there and they told me how they do the craftsmanship behind creating their rugs. It helped me design and get more inspired,” he stated, according to Forbes.

Made from recycled fiber and dyed with eco-friendly pigments, Team Taiwan’s Summer Olympics uniform is all about being sustainable. The vivid blue uniform also displays Team Taipei’s plum blossom logo, which is inspired by many national symbols, like the ethnic groups of Baiyue or Taiwan’s 100 mountain peaks.

While the Russian team will be neutral this year, sporting red, white and blue in abstract color blocks across the front and the Russian Olympic Committee’s logo, Czech Republic designer Zuzana Osako has created her national team’s designs using print dye, featuring cobalt blue jumpsuits and white strapless dresses for women, and cobalt blue vests, white shirts and trousers for men.

The Olympic games will last until August 8, and the Paralympic games will start August 25 and go until September 5.
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Kim Kardashian West wearing her Skims collections. Photo: Courtesy of Skims
American businesswoman Kim Kardashian and founder of Skims has announced the brand’s latest launch in a never-before-seen way. The 40-year-old television personality took to Instagram to share pictures of herself dressed in the new off-white Skims cozy fabric collection set to release next week, accompanied by a US $200,000 Lamborghini also fully wrapped in the same fabric. However, the lavish photoshoot was not received well by some people online.
“Kimmy had a little lamb-bo!!” wrote Kardashian. “Omg isn’t this the cutest and funniest thing ever??? A new lambo w everything @skims cozy fabric!” As it turns out, the newly-launched collection is not just limited to men, women, and kids, with the luxury ride’s complete exterior and interior redone with the furry material, including the tire hubcap, seats, roof, steering wheel, floor, and even the custom Skims license plate. The star lounged inside the car wearing her cozy line’s bra top, sweatpants, and slides in some pictures, and sunbathed on the car’s hood in another.

After 14 years of drama, fashion, and family, the reality television series Keeping Up with the Kardashians that made Kardashian and her siblings household names took its curtain call on June 10, for which Kardashian said she has no regrets. “This was, like, the best decade and a half of my life,” the model added when asked about the NBC Universal show. However, the Californian family has no plans to step back. They will make a comeback in a two-part reunion on June 17 and 20, and have signed a deal for a new series on the streaming platform Hulu, expected to launch later in 2021.
Read Next: “I want women to feel comfortable”: Kim Kardashian West Chats Inclusivity, Diversity and the Future of Skims

Kim Kardashian West wearing her Skims loungewear. Photo: Courtesy of Skims

Kim Kardashian West is a very busy lady. A mother to four children; a lawyer in training; an activist for prison reform; the head of a global beauty empire; a member of the most famous family in the world outside of the royals, and someone who knows how to take good selfies. Then, of course, there’s the impending divorce from her husband, Kanye West. All in all, there’s a lot going on and she’s still only 40. It’s a miracle she still has time for Skims — even more impressive is what she’s achieved with the brand.
When we think about shapewear, images of constrictive, dowdy, beige girdles come to mind — tools to hide the body. Skims is all about celebrating and accentuating your curves, empowering the women who wear it. In fact, since its launch in 2019, the body-positive shapewear brand has been quietly revolutionising the global underwear industry with its inclusive messaging and diverse range of products that cater to all shapes, sizes and skin tones. It’s the Fenty Beauty of the shapewear world, taking on the likes of Spanx, which has dominated the industry for so long.
Recently expanding to include loungewear (Paris Hilton is a fan), lingerie, and lizardwear (yes, she really did dress North’s pet lizard in Skims) the brand is just as much about feeling good as it is about looking good — which is exactly what we need right now.
Photo: Courtesy of Ounass

Vogue snatched a few minutes from Kardashian West’s busy schedule to talk about her journey so far and her dreams for the future of her brand.
Skims is now in its second year — what was the impetus behind launching a shapewear brand?
“Overall, I really just wanted to give people options when getting dressed. From innovative shapewear that you can wear every day to the comfiest underwear that perfectly moulds to your body — I wanted to create a brand that could be relied on as a true solution for how people dress today. In doing this, it was especially important that we were size-inclusive and offered a range of colors.”
What was missing from the shapewear industry that you wanted to address?
“I used to cut up and sew different styles of shapewear together to create the silhouette I wanted because I could never find the shape I was looking for. Other brands would either flatten my curves, pinch into my skin or roll down. I would also dye pieces with tea bags to match my skin tone as there was such a limited offering of colors on the market. All this experimenting made me notice a gap in the market and realise that there hadn’t been any innovation in this space for so long. It felt like the perfect time to bring a fresh perspective to the shapewear industry that would feel relevant for today.”
How important are diversity and inclusivity for Skims?
“Diversity and inclusivity are in our brand DNA. We started Skims with those two elements being front of mind and today they continue to be the driving forces behind ensuring that what we create is for everyone and everybody.”
What is it you want your customers to feel when wearing Skims?
“Confident! And comfortable. All of our collections are made from materials that you can wear all day, every day. Being comfortable is really important to me and I’m a firm believer that when you feel your best, you look your best. You can always find me in Skims PJs or our Fits Everybody underwear because of how effortless and easy they are.”
What are you most proud of so far in terms of the brand?
“I love hearing how much our customers enjoy the product and seeing them in the clothes — I can’t get enough! To know that we’re giving people options and providing solutions that actually work is so rewarding and I’m extremely grateful.”
How do you hope the brand will evolve?
“My goal for Skims is to continue to expand our product offering and keep finding new ways to create solutions that work for all women, all the time. We’re creating the next generation of underwear, shapewear and loungewear by consistently bringing our customers newness and excitement with each drop, and I am so thankful for the dialogue we have with our community along the way.”
Read Next: Exclusive: Kim Kardashian West on Launching Skims in the Middle East
Originally published on Vogue.co.uk

Although 2020 has not been the year that many hoped for, it has certainly been a time that we won’t forget. The pandemic disrupted many things, the realm of fashion among them. However, while fashion shows were canceled and red carpet events postponed, this year saw the world get creative. As we say goodbye to 2020, Vogue Arabia looks back on 10 of the biggest fashion moments of the past 12 months.
Jean Paul Gaultier’s final catwalk show
Bella Hadid for Jean Paul Gaultier’s final catwalk show. Photo: Alessandro Lucioni / Gorunway.com

At the beginning of this year, Jean Paul Gaultier announced that his SS20 couture show would be his final catwalk spectacular. The show, which took place on January 22, saw the French designer out in style, with the ultimate runway cast, featuring models Karlie Kloss, Bella Hadid, Irina Shayk, Yasmin Le Bon, and the standout appearance of former supermodel Farida Khelfa.
Zendaya goes vintage for the Green Carpet Fashion Awards
Actor Zendaya wears a vintage Versace made in the year she was born, to the Green Carpet Fashion Awards. Photo: Supplied

When Zendaya picked up the Visionary Award at the virtual Green Carpet Fashion Awards on October 10, her outfit was quick to make headlines. The actor wore a vintage slinky brown Gianni Versace dress from the year she was born, in 1996. “She was actually born in 1996, so I thought that it’d be fun [for her] to wear something from that year. It’s taking her back – if Zendaya had been of age then, maybe she would have been a Versace model,” said celebrity image architect Law Roach on Zendaya’s outfit.
Meghan Markle’s final appearance as a member of the royal family
Meghan Markle wore an emerald green Emilia Wickstead dress for her final appearance as a senior member of the British royal family at the Commonwealth Service in March. Photo: Getty

Some of the biggest news this year was Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s announcement that they would be stepping down as senior members of the royal family. The couple officially marked the end of their royal lives at the Commonwealth Service in London, in March; and Markle showcased one of the most-talked-about fashion moments of the year, wearing an emerald green Emilia Wickstead dress.
Farida Khelfa and Jean-Paul Goude Reunite for Vogue Arabia
Farida Khelfa x Jean-Paul Goude for Vogue Arabia October 2020

The October issue of Vogue Arabia saw the iconic artist Jean-Paul Goude and his forever-muse, Algerian-French filmmaker Farida Khelfa, reunite after 30 years. The pair came together for the cover shoot, creating two unforgettable images and echoing their unique creative relationship and trust in each other. “The images that Jean-Paul creates, they stay forever. They are not something that disappears,” Khelfa shared.
Natalie Portman’s Dior cape at the Oscars
Natalie Portman in Dior at the 2020 Oscars. Photo: Getty

Natalie Portman delivered one of the most powerful feminist statements in Hollywood this year, with the black Dior gown she wore to the Academy Awards in February. The actor topped the gown with a long black coat, where the inside edge was embroidered with the names of several female directors who did not receive nominations at this year’s Academy Awards,  including Lorene Scafaria, director of the film Hustlers, and Greta Gerwig, who directed Little Women.
Emily in Paris
Lily Collins’ envious curly locks in Emily in Paris. Photo: Courtesy of Netflix

Since its launch in October, the Netflix series Emily In Paris has been the subject of much discussion throughout the world. Both loved and hated by viewers and critics alike, there was no denying that the show featured some exceptional fashion looks on actor Lily Collins. The show has also been named as part of the most influential style moments of the year, with online platform Lyst citing a 342% increase in searches in Kangol bucket hat after Collins’ character was featured wearing one.
Kim Kardashian West and Paris Hilton bring velour tracksuits back
Kim Kardashian West and Paris Hilton bring back velour tracksuits. Photo: Courtesy of Skim

Kim Kardashian West offered the ultimate early 2000s throwback this year, bringing back velour tracksuits for her Skims label. Kardashian West brought in close friend, and fellow velour-lover Paris Hilton to show off looks from her Skims collection that launched in October. “Velour is one of my favorite collection launches to date! It’s the perfect blend of 2000s nostalgia and present-day loungewear,” Kardashian West said at the time of the collection’s release.
Gigi Hadid’s maternity shoot
Gigi Hadid’s maternity shoot. Photo: Instagram/@gigihadid

One of the more exciting pieces of news this year was the announcement that Palestinian-American model Gigi Hadid was having a baby with her partner, British-Pakistani singer Zayn Malik. Although Hadid kept relatively quiet through her pregnancy and the subsequent arrival of her daughter, she released a series of images from a maternity shoot that took place in July. The stunning photos saw Hadid cradling her bump, with the model noting she was “growing an angel.”
Kamala Harris named as first-female Vice President of the United States
Vice President-elect Kamala Harris wore a white pantsuit at victory speech with President-elect Joe Biden, in November. Photo: Instagram/ @kamalaharris

In one of the most historic moments of the year, the world watched the US elect its first female Vice President, Kamala Harris, the running-mate of President-elect Joe Biden. Harris provided a statement fashion moment, signalling the re-birth of the power suit as she wore a white pantsuit, at a victory speech with Biden in November.
Emma Corrin makes her debut in The Crown as Diana, Princess of Wales
British actor Emma Corrin made her debut in The Crown as Diana, Princess of Wales. Photo: Courtesy of The Crown

British actor Emma Corrin made her debut in the fourth season of the Netflix series The Crown, in November, and her striking resemblance to the late Diana, Princess of Wales certainly didn’t go unnoticed by the world. Throughout the season, viewers saw Corrin wear replicas of many of Princess Diana’s famous outfits, including the royal blue suit worn by the Princess of Wales for her engagement photos, as well as her iconic wedding dress, originally designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel.
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Kim Kardashian West wearing her Skims loungewear. Photo: Courtesy of Skims

Kim Kardashian West‘s Skims brand is on its way to the region. The shape-enhancing undergarment brand will be exclusively available in the Middle East on Ounass.
Skims will be exclusively launching on the luxury e-tailer on December 14, offering those in the region access to her transformative clothing collections. Since its launch in September 2019, Skims has become a revolutionary clothing concept, specializing in body-enhancing shapewear in a diverse range of skin tones. It saw immediate success, with the first collection selling out in minutes, and has since gone on to sell more than three million pieces worldwide.
Photo: Courtesy of Skims

“I’ve always played with shapewear throughout my whole career and viewed it as a solution category. Before Skims I used to cut up shapewear, dye it, and even use shipping tape in order to create a perfect look,” Kardashian West told Vogue Arabia. “It was all this experimenting that made me notice a gap in the market that I knew I had the experience to fill. From there, Skims was born.”
The brand initially entered the fashion world in the women’s luxury lingerie market, however, it soon shifted to a daily womenswear label. Over its first year of operations, Skims has also expanded into loungewear, becoming a huge hit in the coronavirus era, where many found themselves swapping their closet’s best threads for more comfortable attire.
Now, the label offers a variety of undergarments, loungewear, and shapewear in several different collections. Kardashian West highlights the Cozy and Sleep collections among her favorite as “these collections are perfect to lounge in and wear to bed.”
Photo: Courtesy of Skims

Each garment from the Skims brand has been designed by Kardashian West for everybody and all bodies “no matter their shape, size or color” to smooth, enhance, lift, and tone their figures. “Everyone loves soft and comfy clothing,” the former Vogue Arabia cover star says. “With Skims we wanted to make sure that we bring our customers comfort in a cool and modern way. With our shapewear and all of our loungewear collections, we made sure that each silhouette is both stylish and soft so you can feel your best self in every style,” she added.
Noting Dubai as one of her favorite places, Kardashian West has shared her elation at bringing her brand to the Middle East. ” I am excited for Skims to continue to expand and have a larger global presence,” she said. “I can’t wait for Ounass customers to discover and try the products.”
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