Leading Successful Brands in Fashion and Consumer Products

Emma Grede has built a strong presence in the fashion and consumer goods sectors through careful brand development and a focus on broad customer appeal. Born in 1982 in East London, she grew up in Plaistow with her single mother and three younger sisters. From age 12, she took on jobs such as delivering newspapers, which helped develop her work habits and sense of responsibility. She attended the London College of Fashion but left early to enter the industry directly. Her first roles included internships and production work for fashion shows, where she collaborated with designers and major labels. In 2008, she founded ITB Worldwide, a talent and entertainment marketing agency, with her husband Jens Grede and partners. The agency grew steadily and was acquired by Rogers & Cowan after ten years, allowing Grede to pursue new ventures. This experience in marketing and partnerships proved valuable for her later work. In 2016, Grede co-founded Good American with Khloé Kardashian. The brand launched with denim offering sizes from 00 to 32, emphasizing fit for various body types. On its first day, Good American recorded one million dollars in sales, the strongest denim debut at the time. Since then, the company has expanded to include ready-to-wear, activewear, swimwear, and footwear. It earned B-Corp certification and recognition from Fast Company for advancing representation in apparel. Grede serves as CEO, guiding the brand toward consistent growth while maintaining high standards of quality and accessibility. As a founding partner in SKIMS, launched in 2019 with Kim Kardashian and Jens Grede, she has helped shape a line of shapewear, loungewear, and related items known for inclusive sizing. In November 2025, SKIMS raised 225 million dollars in funding, reaching a five billion dollar valuation. The brand has opened stores across the United States and internationally, formed partnerships such as with Nike, and continues to add categories. Grede also co-founded Safely in 2021 with Kris Jenner and Chrissy Teigen, a line of plant-based cleaning and self-care products developed with family safety in mind. In January 2025, she partnered with designer Kristin Juszczyk, the NFL, and Fanatics to launch Off Season, a sports apparel collection offering stylish options for fans. These projects reflect Grede’s ability to work across product types while upholding quality and wide reach. Forbes recognizes her among America’s richest self-made women, with estimates placing her net worth near 390 million dollars in 2025. She holds board positions, including with the Obama Foundation, and supports organizations like Baby2Baby.

Grede serves as a recurring guest investor on Shark Tank, the first Black woman in that role, where her evaluations support emerging business owners. She chairs the Fifteen Percent Pledge, encouraging retailers to dedicate shelf space and resources to Black-owned companies, contributing to economic progress in that sector. In May 2025, she launched the podcast Aspire with Emma Grede, featuring conversations with established leaders to share practical insights. Recent activities include dedicating time to learning about artificial intelligence to stay current with tools that affect business operations.

Practical Guidance

Emma Grede’s professional experience offers clear examples of building brands by addressing customer needs and forming effective partnerships. Good American’s full size range and attention to fit show how meeting specific demands leads to customer loyalty and sales increases. Grede builds alliances that bring together complementary skills, as demonstrated by SKIMS achieving a five billion dollar valuation in 2025. She allocates time periodically to study artificial intelligence, highlighting the value of keeping up with new developments. Her leadership of the Fifteen Percent Pledge integrates broader goals into business practices, strengthening brand position and supporting progress across the industry. The transition from founding and selling ITB Worldwide to starting multiple companies illustrates thoughtful timing in decisions about resources and opportunities. Professionals can take from her path the benefits of consistent effort, shaped by early roles that built practical knowledge. Placing customer priorities at the center and assembling diverse teams contributes to sustained results and helpful influence.

Grede provides guidance through her podcast Aspire with Emma Grede and various board commitments. She coordinates family responsibilities with professional demands in a manner that supports continued achievement. Her move into sports apparel with Off Season reflects planning for growth in adjacent markets. These elements together present a straightforward framework for those pursuing long-term success in business.

Current Work and Future Directions

Emma Grede’s efforts have increased options and representation in fashion through expanded sizing and careful product design. Her companies show ongoing growth in sales and locations, responding to demand for well-made items that suit many customers. Present activities, including media work and new collaborations, suggest additional advancements in her brand portfolio. Grede mentors new entrepreneurs and backs initiatives, sharing her knowledge with others. Her commitment to quality standards and equal opportunities establishes her as an important presence in business. These steps maintain open discussions about access in retail. Grede aligns ambitious targets with tangible advantages for wider groups. Upcoming developments across her companies are expected to introduce further improvements in the sector. In summary, her accomplishments encourage others to follow focused paths with determination and clear intent.

Grede’s advancement from initial fashion positions to directing large-scale brands demonstrates the effectiveness of steady application and productive alliances in achieving broad objectives. She invests time in understanding artificial intelligence to equip her operations for upcoming requirements and recommends similar approaches to colleagues. Honors from publications and board roles, combined with community support, indicate a complete perspective on achievement that combines commercial outcomes with extended effects. As her brands establish examples via fresh products and expansion, Grede’s methods supply practical suggestions for fostering settings that encourage fresh thinking and fair practices. Her record indicates that emphasis on customer understanding and sound judgment produces solid recognition and beneficial shifts in availability and prospects. Individuals in different areas can apply these principles to address issues and deliver value. Grede’s present engagements position her as a reliable source of direction and encouragement.