When you launch a shapewear company in your bathtub and six years later it's worth $5 billion, you're doing something right. That's the Skims story in a nutshell, and it just got another plot twist with a fresh $225 million funding round.

Goldman Sachs Alternatives led the investment, which values Kim Kardashian's apparel empire at $5 billion—up from $4 billion back in July 2023. Kardashian owns 35% of the company she co-founded with CEO Jens Grede in 2019, and that stake has helped propel her personal net worth to $1.7 billion.

The numbers tell a compelling growth story. Since 2020, Skims has multiplied its revenue fivefold, reaching $750 million in 2023. That kind of trajectory has made it one of the fastest-growing apparel brands in the United States, which is no small feat in an industry where most celebrity ventures fizzle out.

What started as shapewear has evolved into something bigger. Skims now sells loungewear, swimwear, and menswear. The brand has landed partnerships that would make any sports marketing executive jealous—it's the official underwear partner for the NBA, WNBA, and USA Basketball.

After building its reputation online, Skims is betting on physical retail. The company already has stores in Georgetown, Miami, Austin, and New York. This year it plans to open 16 more US locations, plus international expansion is on the horizon with standalone stores planned for London and Dubai by mid-2026.

The Skims success story shows what happens when celebrity influence meets actual business execution. In the competitive apparel world, that combination is rare—and apparently worth billions.