Time unveiled the cover of their 2023 Most Influential Business issue, featuring Kim Kardashian for her brand Skims.
This recognition underscores Kim’s significant impact on the business world, highlighting her successful venture into the fashion industry and the influence of her inclusive and innovative shapewear line.
“At the beginning, when I didn’t really understand where my career was going because I was just kind of winging it, I would do licensing deals with a lot of different companies that would contradict themselves, like a cupcake brand with a weight-loss pill at the same time,” Kardashian told Time.
Skims, originally known for its underwear and shapewear, has transformed and expanded its offerings to include loungewear, swimwear, tees and dresses. This evolution has not only reshaped the brand but also altered the public perception of Kardashian in the business realm.
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Reflecting on her thriving independent endeavor, Kardashian expressed a sense of accomplishment and relief, affirming her satisfaction with the journey: “I feel like, OK, I did it.”
Founded in late 2019, Skims exceeded expectations by generating $500 million in revenue last year, marking an 80% increase from 2021. Despite a challenging year for underwear sales in 2023, Skims experienced an 86% year-over-year growth in intimates sales in April. The brand’s value soared to $3.2 billion in a recent funding round, outpacing Kylie Cosmetics and Spanx.
Skims’ remarkable success is comparable to the high-profile legal defense undertaken by her father Robert Kardashian for O.J. Simpson.
Her co-founder, Jens Grede, said Kardashian is one of the best creatives he’s worked with. “To be a successful creative director today, you’ve got to have a point of view of the world,” he says. “You’ve got to have a very clear aesthetic that is identifiable to you, and you’ve got to be able to intimately understand popular culture.”
The multi-talented mompreneur graced the cover in a sleek all-black ensemble featuring a chic textured turtleneck and a maxi skirt adorned with intricate cutouts that extended from her waist down to her feet. Her sleek outfit exuded sophistication and showcased her intrinsic sense of style.
Kardashian kicked back in pointy velour booties with a striking stiletto heel. Stiletto heels, characterized by their slender and tall design, became popular in the 1950s. They symbolize femininity, elegance, and confidence.
Kardashian’s style has made a significant impact on fashion, showcasing bold and daring choices that blend luxury, streetwear and body-conscious silhouettes, influencing trends and shaping popular culture.
The Time 100 Most Influential Companies of 2023 issue will hit newsstands on Friday.
