Emma Grede

Last updated

Emma Grede
Born
Emma Findlay

(1982-09-23) 23 September 1982 (age 42)
London, England
Education London College of Fashion (did not graduate)
Occupation(s)Co-founder & CEO, Good American
Years active2007–present
SpouseJens Grede
Children4 [1]

Emma Findlay Grede (born 23 September 1982) is a British businesswoman, entrepreneur and fashion designer. She is recognised for her business ventures involving members of the Kardashian family and serves as the CEO and co-founder of the denim company Good American, a founding partner of Skims, and co-founder of Safely. [2]

Contents

Early life

Grede was born and raised in the Plaistow neighborhood of East London, England. [3] [4] She is the daughter of Jenny-Lee Findlay, a white English mother who worked for Morgan Stanley and a Black Jamaican and Trinidadian father. [5] [6] [7] Raised by her single mother, she has three younger sisters, Charlotte, Rachelle, and Katie-Beth. [7]

Starting as a teenager, Emma began working at a number of odd jobs, including delivering newspapers, which she credits for teaching her perseverance and discipline. [8] She regularly saved her earnings to purchase magazines like Elle and Vogue and has noted that the fashion industry was a form of escapism for her. [2] [9] [10] [11]

At age 16, Grede enrolled at the London College of Fashion, where she also secured internships at places like Gucci. [4] [7] However, in order to pursue her career, she withdrew from school before completing her degree, noting that "It was the right decision for me." [7]

Career

Entrepreneurship

After leaving college, Grede worked for Quintessentially, a concierge company, before joining Inca Productions as a fashion show and events producer. [7] [12] In 2008 at age 26, Grede founded and was CEO of Independent Talent Brand (ITB) Worldwide, a London-based talent management and entertainment marketing agency [13] [4] [14] [5] Ten years later, ITB was acquired by Rogers & Cowan for an undisclosed amount, and Grede exited the company. [14]

Around 2015, Grede proposed an idea for a denim company to Kris Jenner, whom she met during Paris Fashion Week, explaining that she wanted to partner with Jenner's daughter, Khloé Kardashian. [12] [15] Grede and Kardashian launched Good American in 2016, as a women's clothing company focused on size inclusivity and body positivity with Grede as CEO. [3] [4] The company sold a million dollars of denim merchandise on opening day. [11] Good American expanded from strictly selling denim jeans to include dresses, activewear, tops, swimwear, sleepwear, and shoes in its line. [4] [12] The company also invented the size 15 jean—in between 14 and 16—to accommodate more body types. [12] [16]

Grede is a founding partner of Skims, a shapewear brand co-founded by her husband Jens Grede and Kim Kardashian in 2019. Grede is the company's chief product officer. [4] Along with Kris Jenner and Chrissy Teigen, Grede also co-founded Safely, a brand of plant-based cleaning and self-care products that launched in March 2021. [17] [18] Emma conceived of the company during the COVID-19 pandemic, as she desired products that would be safe for her own family. [19] To that end, Safely's mission is "to rid American homes of harsh toxins with plant-powered products." [19]

In January 2025, Grede teamed up with fashion designer Kristin Juszczyk [20] to launch apparel brand Off Season in collaboration with the NFL and Fanatics. [21]

With an estimated net worth of over $300 million, Grede has 8% stake in Skims, 23% stake in Good American, and 22% stake in Safely. [11]

Philanthropy

Emma Grede regularly addresses the need for more diverse representation amongst CEOs and entrepreneurs and has used her influence to create opportunities for people of color, specifically. [22] Grede is a guest shark on the first episode of season 13 and the fourteenth episode of season 14 of the reality television series Shark Tank . [23] She is the first black woman investor on the show. In 2024 she became a guest dragon on the 21st series of Dragons' Den (British TV programme) . [24]

Grede also is chairwoman of the 15 Percent Pledge, an initiative for retailers to reserve 15% of their shelf space for black-owned businesses. [2] Designer Aurora James spearheaded the movement after being inspired following the murder of George Floyd in 2020 and subsequent protests. [25] By 2022, the nonprofit helped black business owners generate $10 billion in revenue. [26]

Recognition

In November 2022, Emma, husband Jens Grede, and Kim Kardashian won the first Innovation Award presented by Amazon Fashion for Skims at the CFDA Awards in New York. With an estimated net worth of $320 million by 2023, Forbes magazine identified Grede as one of the Richest Self-Made Women in America. [27]

Personal life

Grede is married to Jens Grede, the Swedish co-founder of Skims and denim brand, Frame. [2] The couple moved to Bel Air, Los Angeles in 2017, and they have four children together. [28] [29] [30]

In her mid-twenties, Grede learned that she is "super-dyslexic." [10]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kourtney Kardashian</span> American media personality (born 1979)

Kourtney Kardashian Barker is an American media personality and socialite. In 2007, she and her family began starring in the reality television series Keeping Up with the Kardashians. Its success led to the creation of spin-offs including Kourtney and Kim Take Miami  and Kourtney and Kim Take New York. After she and her family made the decision to end their show after 20 seasons in 2021, they began appearing in an all new reality television series titled The Kardashians on Hulu in 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Khloé Kardashian</span> American media personality (born 1984)

Khloé Alexandra Kardashian is an American media personality and socialite. She rose to fame starring with her family in the reality television series Keeping Up with the Kardashians from 2007 to 2021. Its success led to the creation of spin-offs, including Kourtney and Khloé Take Miami (2009–2013) and Kourtney and Khloé Take The Hamptons (2014–2015). Following the ending of their previous show, she and her family began starring on Hulu's The Kardashians in 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kris Jenner</span> American media personality, socialite, and businesswoman (born 1955)

Kristen Mary Jenner is an American media personality, socialite, and businesswoman. She rose to fame starring in the reality television series Keeping Up with the Kardashians (2007–2021) with her family. The success of their show led her and her family to star in multiple spin-off series, including Kourtney and Khloe Take Miami (2009), Kourtney and Kim Take New York (2011), Khloe & Lamar (2011), Rob & Chyna (2016) and Life of Kylie (2017). She acted as executive producer for most of her family's reality programs. In 2013, she hosted a six week long pop culture-driven daytime talk show, called Kris. Following her family's decision to sign off from E! in 2021, they then went on to star in The Kardashians on Hulu from 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kim Kardashian</span> American media personality (born 1980)

Kimberly Noel Kardashian is an American media personality, socialite, and businesswoman. She first gained media attention as a friend and stylist of Paris Hilton, but received wider notice after the sex tape Kim Kardashian, Superstar, which she filmed in 2003 with her then-boyfriend Ray J, was released in 2007. Later that year, she and her family began to appear on the E! reality television series Keeping Up with the Kardashians, which aired until 2021. Its success led to the formation of two spin-offs and a successor show; Kourtney and Kim Take New York (2011–2012), Kourtney and Kim Take Miami (2009–2013), and Hulu's The Kardashians (2022–present).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kylie Jenner</span> American media personality (born 1997)

Kylie Kristen Jenner is an American media personality, socialite and businesswoman. She starred in the E! reality television series Keeping Up with the Kardashians from 2007 to 2021 and then the Hulu reality television series The Kardashians from 2022. She is the founder and owner of cosmetic company Kylie Cosmetics. She is the fifth-most-followed person on Instagram.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kendall Jenner</span> American model and media personality (born 1995)

Kendall Nicole Jenner is an American model, socialite and media personality. She rose to fame in the reality television show Keeping Up with the Kardashians, in which she starred for 20 seasons and nearly 15 years from 2007 to 2021. The success of the show led to the creation of multiple spin-off series including Kourtney and Khloe Take Miami (2009), Kourtney and Kim Take New York (2011), Khloé & Lamar (2011), Rob & Chyna (2016) and Life of Kylie (2017). Following the decision to end their reality show, in 2022 she and her family starred in the reality television series The Kardashians on Hulu.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Natalie Massenet</span> American businesswoman (born 1965)

Dame Natalie Sara Massenet, is a British-American fashion entrepreneur and former journalist, who founded the designer fashion portal Net-a-Porter. From 2013 to 2017, she was the chairman of the British Fashion Council. In 2018 alongside Nick Brown, she co-founded Imaginary Ventures and became non executive co-chairman at Farfetch.

The Kardashian family, also referred to as the Kardashian–Jenner family, is an American family prominent in the fields of law, entertainment, reality television, fashion design, and business. Through different ventures, several members of the family have assets of over $1 billion. Kim Kardashian became a celebrity in 2007, after selling a pornographic film featuring ex-boyfriend, singer Ray J, which enabled the family to rise to stardom. From October 2007 through June 2021, they appeared together on the highly popular, albeit controversial, reality television show Keeping Up with the Kardashians. The show's 14-year run gave and maintained media exposure to each member of the family, allowing them to start and build their individual careers in multiple businesses under their separate brands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sherri Hill</span> American fashion designer

Sherri Hill is an American fashion designer and businesswoman who specializes in formal evening wear.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kendra Scott</span> American fashion designer and businesswoman

Kendra Scott is an American fashion designer. She is the executive chairwoman, designer, and former chief executive officer of Kendra Scott, LLC. In 2017, she was named Ernst & Young's National Entrepreneur of the Year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saturday Group</span> International company based in the United Kingdom

Saturday Group is a marketing group that invests in and manages firms in the fields of fashion and entertainment marketing. The company is Based in London and has offices in New York, Los Angeles, Paris and Milan. In 2014 Saturday Group operates 12 separate businesses that specialize in fashion marketing, advertising, publicity, and intellectual property ownership.

Kylie Cosmetics, LLC is an American cosmetics company founded by Kylie Jenner. The company began selling Kylie Lip Kits, a liquid lipstick and lip liner set, on November 30, 2015. Formerly known as Lip Kit by Kylie, the company was renamed Kylie Cosmetics in 2016.

PrettyLittleThing is a UK-based fast-fashion retailer, aimed at 16- to 24-year-old women. The company is owned by Boohoo Group and operates in the UK, Ireland, Australia, US, France, Middle East and North Africa. The brand's headquarters are in Manchester. PrettyLittleThing has offices in London, Paris and Los Angeles.

Jen Atkin is an American hairstylist, entrepreneur, and columnist. Atkin is the co-owner of the hair care line OUAI with Lamees Hamdan.

Frame is an American fashion-retail company that designs and sells high-end clothing for men and women. The company is known for its denim jeans and hand bags sold at retail outlets in the United States that were first popular with models Karlie Kloss, Miranda Kerr, and Emily Ratajkowski.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jordyn Woods</span> American socialite (born 1997)

Jordyn Woods is an American model and socialite. She is known for her role in the reality television show Life of Kylie.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maison Schiaparelli</span> French fashion house

Maison Schiaparelli is a haute couture house created by avant-garde Italian fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli in 1927, and moving towards luxury ready-to-wear after being bought in 2007 by Diego Della Valle. The house is famous for its eccentric fashions, the use of Surrealism in its collections, its sense of humour, the "shocking Pink" color, gender crossing, and its use of human anatomy depictions, among other unconventional themes.

Skims is an American shapewear and clothing brand co-founded by Kim Kardashian, Emma Grede and Jens Grede. Skims has a focus on body positivity and inclusivity across the brand and practices inclusive sizing. The company was valued at over $4 billion in July 2023.

Philomina Kane is a Ghanaian-American entrepreneur and founder of KIN Apparel, a clothing brand consisting of satin-lined hoodies with the goal of protecting and preventing breakage and frizz for natural hair. She appeared on Season 13 of Shark Tank and received a $200,000 investment from Emma Grede, founder of Good America and Lori Greiner. Her company KIN Apparel is an acronym for "Keeping It Natural".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lauren Chan</span> Canadian entrepreneur

Lauren Chan is a Canadian model, editor and entrepreneur.

References

  1. ↑ Johansson, Victor (7 February 2022). ""Råder alla vänner att gifta sig med en svensk"". Svenska Dagbladet (in Swedish).
  2. 1 2 3 4 Lodi, Marie (5 October 2021). "The British Powerhouse Behind Good American". Bustle. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
  3. 1 2 Murray, Daisy (20 June 2021). "Emma Grede Is The Celebrity Fashion Brand Mogul With The Midas Touch". Elle. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Mamona, Sheilla (30 June 2021). "From East London to Bel Air: The co-founder of Good American and founding partner of SKIMS shares her recipes for multi-million dollar success". Glamour. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  5. 1 2 Segran, Elizabeth (20 February 2018). "Good American's CEO on Being the Only Black Woman in the Room: "I Don't Notice"". Fast Company.
  6. ↑ Browley, Jasmine (30 August 2022). "Good American's Emma Grede Made History As Shark Tank's First Black Woman Investor". Essence. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 Mahanty, Shannon (17 June 2021). "Emma Grede on building a fashion empire with the Kardashians: 'Ask questions, work really hard and don't be an a***hole'". Evening Standard. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  8. ↑ ‘Shark Tank’ star Emma Grede dispels myth of overnight success , retrieved 3 December 2023
  9. ↑ Dawkins, Jennifer Ortakales (30 October 2023). "Meet Emma and Jens Grede, the team behind Kim Kardashian's Skims and Kylie Jenner's new clothing line, Khy". Business Insider. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  10. 1 2 Peters, Maxine (24 August 2023). "How savvy businesswoman Emma Grede helped the Kardashian-Jenner family build their billion-dollar empire". You. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  11. 1 2 3 McEvoy, Jemima (14 June 2022). "Keeping Up With The Kardashians: Meet The Woman Who Made A Fortune Helping Build The Family's Billion Dollar Business Empire". Forbes. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
  12. 1 2 3 4 Winn, Layne (12 November 2019). "Good American founder Emma Grede on how she got into business with Khloe Kardashian". ABC News. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  13. ↑ Grede, Emma (2 March 2015). "Case study: How influencers can cut through social noise". Marketing Tech News.
  14. 1 2 Day, Andy (10 May 2018). "London based influencer agency ITB Worldwide acquired by Rogers & Cowan". Capital A. Retrieved 1 October 2021.
  15. ↑ Singh-Kurtz, Sangeeta (3 November 2023). "The Couple Behind the Skims-Industrial Complex". The Cut. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  16. ↑ Fisher, Lauren Alexis (20 September 2018). "Good American Just Invented a New Size of Jeans to Fix Fit Issues". Harper's BAZAAR. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  17. ↑ Green, Penelope (24 March 2021). "Are You Cleaning Enough? Celebrities Want to Help". New York Times. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  18. ↑ McCann, Maile (3 August 2021). "'You've got to be where the customers are': Safely's Emma Grede on entering Bed Bath & Beyond". Modern Retail. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  19. 1 2 Hagan, Eva (24 October 2023). "How Emma Grede and Kris Jenner's Brand Safely Is Cleaning up the Home Care Industry (Exclusive)". Green Matters. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  20. ↑ Freestone, Camille (2 January 2025). "Kristin Juszczyk Partners With Emma Grede to Launch Off Season—A Sports Apparel Brand Born from Juszczyk's Viral DIY Looks". Vogue. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  21. ↑ Malach, Hannah (7 January 2025). "Kristin Juszczyk and Skims Cofounder Emma Grede Launch Off Season Apparel Brand in Collaboration With NFL and Fanatics". WWD. Retrieved 9 January 2025.
  22. ↑ Pliska, Jessica (29 March 2021). "For Emma Grede, Purpose-Driven Business Is The Best Kind". Forbes. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  23. ↑ Hipes, Patrick (26 August 2021). "'Shark Tank' Guest Sharks For New Season Include Kevin Hart, Skims And Nextdoor Co-Founders". Deadline. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  24. ↑ Pike, Naomi (9 February 2024). "Meet Emma Grede, the most stylish judge on Dragons' Den". The Times. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  25. ↑ Ogunnaike, Lola (26 October 2022). "How Aurora James Changed Fashion". Town & Country. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  26. ↑ Davis, Dominic-Madori (5 April 2022). "Black Americans represent the fastest-rising class of business owners. Here's how the 15 Percent Pledge aims to help black entrepreneurs generate $1.4 trillion in wealth". Business Insider. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  27. ↑ "Emma Grede". Forbes. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  28. ↑ McClain, James (12 May 2020). "Fashion Designers Jens and Emma Grede Buy $24 Million Bel Air Estate". Variety. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  29. ↑ Pithers, Ellie (12 September 2021). "Good American Co-Founder Emma Grede Has Created A Distinctly English Home In The Middle Of Bel Air". Vogue. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  30. ↑ Heaf, Jonathan (11 May 2022). "Jens and Emma Grede – the brains behind Skims". Financial Times. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.