Jens Grede is a Swedish-American businessman who has a net worth of $375 million as of 2023. He is the CEO and co-founder of Skims, a shapewear brand that he launched with Kim Kardashian in 2019.
He is also the co-founder and creative director of Frame, a premium denim and lifestyle brand, and the co-founder of Safely, a plant-based cleaning and self-care brand with Kris Jenner and Chrissy Teigen. In this article, we will explore how Grede built his fashion empire, what are his sources of income, and what are his future plans.
From Stockholm to Los Angeles
Grede was born and raised in Stockholm, Sweden, by a Swedish father and a German mother. He studied business and economics at Stockholm University, but dropped out to pursue his career in fashion.
He moved to London in 2004 and worked as a creative director for various magazines and brands. He met his wife, Emma Grede, a British entrepreneur and fashion designer, in 2007 and they married in 2010. They have four children and live in Los Angeles, California.
The Frame and Skims Story
Grede co-founded Frame in 2012 with his friend and business partner Erik Torstensson, a Swedish photographer and creative director. Frame is a premium denim and lifestyle brand that offers jeans, clothing, accessories, and eyewear for men and women.
Frame is known for its quality, fit, and style, and has been worn by celebrities such as Gigi Hadid, Karlie Kloss, and Meghan Markle. Frame is valued at $300 million as of 2021 and has plans to expand into new categories and markets.
Grede is also the CEO and co-founder of Skims, a shapewear brand that he launched with Kim Kardashian in 2019. Grede is the chief executive officer of the company, overseeing the strategy, operations, and finance of the business. Skims offers a range of shapewear, underwear, loungewear, and accessories in various sizes, colors, and fabrics.
Skims has been praised for its inclusivity, innovation, and comfort. Skims is also the official underwear and loungewear partner of Team USA for the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. Skims is estimated to be worth $3.2 billion as of 2021 and has raised $154 million in funding.
The Safely Venture
Grede is also a co-founder of Safely, a brand of plant-based cleaning and self-care products that launched in March 2021. He teamed up with Kris Jenner and Chrissy Teigen to create products that are safe, effective, and eco-friendly. Safely offers products such as hand soap, hand sanitizer, laundry detergent, glass cleaner, and more. Safely also donates a portion of its profits to Baby2Baby, a nonprofit organization that provides children living in poverty with basic necessities.
What are some challenges Jens Grede faced?
Jens Grede faced some challenges in his journey as a fashion entrepreneur. Some of them are:
- He dropped out of college to pursue his career in fashion, which was a risky decision that required a lot of hard work and perseverance.
- He moved from Stockholm to London and then to Los Angeles, which involved adapting to different cultures, markets, and lifestyles.
- He co-founded Frame, a premium denim and lifestyle brand, in a competitive and saturated industry, where he had to differentiate his products and brand from others.
- He co-founded Skims, a shapewear brand, with Kim Kardashian, which involved dealing with high expectations, media scrutiny, and legal issues. For example, Skims had to change its original name, Kimono, after facing backlash for cultural appropriation.
- He co-founded Safely, a plant-based cleaning and self-care brand, in a new and unfamiliar category, where he had to educate consumers and retailers about the benefits and features of his products.
These are some of the challenges that Jens Grede faced, but he also overcame them with his creativity, vision, and leadership. He is now one of the most successful and influential fashion entrepreneurs in the world.
Conclusion
Jens Grede is a fashion entrepreneur who has a net worth of $375 million as of 2023. He is the CEO and co-founder of Skims, a shapewear brand that he launched with Kim Kardashian in 2019. He is also the co-founder and creative director of Frame, a premium denim and lifestyle brand, and the co-founder of Safely, a plant-based cleaning and self-care brand with Kris Jenner and Chrissy Teigen. Grede is a visionary leader who has transformed the fashion industry with his innovative and inclusive brands.