Emma Grede, the self-made businesswoman behind the Kardashians' fashion ventures, has sparked controversy by declaring that working from home is 'career suicide' for women. Speaking on actor Keke Palmer's podcast, the 42-year-old said remote work harms career progression, a stance that has reignited debate about flexible working.
Grede, who grew up in Plaistow, east London, and left school without qualifications, is now worth hundreds of millions of dollars. She helped build Khloe Kardashian's denim label Good American and Kim Kardashian's shapewear brand Skims, and appears on Forbes' list of America's richest self-made women.
In her new book, Start With Yourself: A New Vision for Work and Life, Grede expands on her no-nonsense approach. She has also faced criticism for saying she is a 'max three-hour mum' who limits weekend time with her children to 120 minutes, and for questioning the existence of work-life balance.
Grede attributes her straight-talking style to her East End upbringing and her own mother, who worked long hours at a bank. As the eldest of four sisters, Grede took on childcare duties, which she says taught her not to sweat the small stuff. She admitted she is not bothered by school gate WhatsApp groups or perfectly cut sandwiches.
