View source for Spanx

{{Short description|American intimate apparel company}}
{{Distinguish|Spandex}}
{{Infobox company
| logo = Spanx logo.png
| name = Spanx, Inc.
| caption =
| type = Private
| industry = [[Apparel]], Intimates, [[Leisurewear]]
| locations =
| founded = [[Atlanta, Georgia]], U.S.<br><small>({{Start date|2000|02|15}})</small>
| founder = [[Sara Blakely]]
| location_city = [[Atlanta, Georgia]], U.S.
| areas_served = [[North America]], [[Europe]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Spanx|url=http://www.spanx.com}}</ref>
| key_people = Caroline "Cricket" Whitton ([[CEO]])
| products = Shapewear, intimates, hosiery, apparel, activewear, loungewear, denim
| revenue = {{Increase}} est. $400 million (as of June 30, 2018)<ref>{{Cite news |last=Berger |first=Sarah |date=June 30, 2018 |title=Self-made Spanx Billionaire Sara Blakely Has Never Had Coffee—Here's How She Starts Her Day Instead |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/06/29/spanx-founder-sara-blakelys-morning-routine-does-not-include-coffee.html |publisher=[[CNBC]] |access-date=11 June 2021}}</ref>
| num_employees = 250
| parent = [[Blackstone Inc.]]
| homepage = {{URL|spanx.com}}
}}
[[File:Spanx Shaping Pantyhose Super Control Sheers top front.jpg|thumb|Spanx Shaping Pantyhose Super Control Sheers top front]]
'''Spanx, LLC'''  is an American [[shapewear]] company founded in 2000 by [[Sara Blakely]] in [[Atlanta, Georgia]].<ref name="Inc">{{Cite web |author=Inc. staff |date=2012-01-20 |title=How Sara Blakely Got Spanx Started |url=https://www.inc.com/sara-blakely/how-sara-blakley-started-spanx.html |access-date=2021-05-14 |website=[[Inc. (magazine)|Inc.]] |language=en}}</ref>  The company offers [[innerwear]] and [[outerwear]], including [[activewear]], [[apparel]], [[denim]], shapewear, [[swimwear]], intimates, [[leggings]], and [[hosiery]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=SPANX {{!}} Shapewear, Clothing, Activewear & Intimates |url=https://spanx.com/ |access-date=2025-01-03 |website=Spanx |language=en}}</ref> As of 2021, the company was valued at $1.2 billion and its products are sold in over 50 countries.<ref name=Sara>{{Cite web |title=Sara Blakely |url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/sara-blakely/ |access-date=2025-01-03 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref>

== History ==

=== Founding ===
Sara Blakely created Spanx in 2000 as a solution to the discomfort she experienced wearing [[pantyhose]] in hot weather, and disliking the seamed foot that stuck out of an open-toe shoe.<ref name="OConnor2">{{Cite web |last=O'Connor |first=Clare |date=July 16, 2012 |title=How Sara Blakely of Spanx Turned $5,000 into $1 billion |url=https://www.forbes.com/global/2012/0326/billionaires-12-feature-united-states-spanx-sara-blakely-american-booty.html |website=Forbes}}</ref> After graduating from [[Florida State University]] (FSU) in 1993, Blakely first worked at [[Walt Disney World Resort]], followed by Danka, an [[office supply]] company, where she sold [[fax machines]] door-to-door. She cut the feet off her control-top pantyhose to achieve a “smooth look” under white pants but did not like that the pantyhose rolled up her leg. Blakely moved to [[Atlanta]], where she continued working for Danka from 9-5, set aside her $5,000 in savings, and spent two years creating her product.<ref name="OConnor2" /> Blakely explained that she chose the name “Spanks” because of the “k” sound in the internationally recognized “[[Coca-Cola]]” and “[[Kodak]].”<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 28, 2012 |title=Spanx Founder Reveals How to Build a Billion-Dollar Business |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Business/build-billion-dollar-business-spanx-inventor-sara-blakely/story?id=17831265 |website=ABC News}}</ref> She changed the spelling to “Spanx” at the last minute after reading that made-up names sold better.<ref name="OConnor3">{{Cite web |last=O'Connor |first=Clare |date=April 12, 2016 |title=Undercover Billionaire: Sara Blakely Joins The Rich List Thanks To Spanx |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/clareoconnor/2012/03/07/undercover-billionaire-sara-blakely-joins-the-rich-list-thanks-to-spanx/ |website=Forbes}}</ref> After several hosiery factories turned down her product, Blakely brought her idea to [[Neiman Marcus]], where she convinced the buying rep by modeling her white pants with and without Spanx.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lake |first=Sydney |date=February 27, 2024 |title=Spanx founder Sara Blakely’s $1 billion idea started with just $5,000 in savings and wanting to solve her problem |url=https://fortune.com/2024/02/27/sara-blakely-spanx-billion-dollar-idea-oprah-5000-savings-billionaire/ |website=Fortune}}</ref> She then brought the product to [[Bloomingdale’s]], [[Saks Fifth Avenue]] and [[Bergdorf Goodman]].<ref name="OConnor3" />
 
Once the Spanx brand was created, Blakely sent several of her products to [[The Oprah Winfrey Show]]. In November 2000, the brand was featured in [[Oprah's Favorite Things]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Makinson |first=Rachel |date=October 21, 2024 |title=How Spanx Founder Sara Blakely Created A Billion-Dollar Brand |url=https://www.ceotodaymagazine.com/2021/10/how-spanx-founder-sara-blakely-created-a-billion-dollar-brand/ |website=CEO Today}}</ref> In 2001, Blakely arranged with QVC to feature her product.<ref name="OConnor3" /> In 2011, Spanx reported revenue of just under $250 million,<ref name="OConnor1">{{Cite web |last=O'Connor |first=Clare |date=November 15, 2012 |title=Watch Out, Victoria's Secret: Spanx Billionaire Sara Blakely Opens First Retail Store |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/clareoconnor/2012/11/01/watch-out-victorias-secret-spanx-billionaire-sara-blakely-opens-first-retail-store/?sh=391e67b02b4b |website=Forbes}}</ref> and Forbes rated Blakely as the youngest self-made female billionaire.<ref name="OConnor1" /> Spanx opened its first [[brick and mortar|brick-and-mortar]] store in 2012.<ref name="OConnor1" /> In 2013, [[Jessica Alba]], [[Adele]] and [[Jennifer Garner]] wore Spanx to the [[Oscars]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chan |first=Jennifer |date=February 21, 2013 |title=2013 Oscars Fashion Scoop: Adele, Jessica Alba and Jennifer Garner Get Support From Spanx |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/390134/2013-oscars-fashion-scoop-adele-jessica-alba-and-jennifer-garner-get-support-from-spanx |website=E News}}</ref> [[Gwyneth Paltrow]] also wears the brand.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chan |first=Jennifer |date=April 25, 2024 |title=Karlie Kloss, Gwyneth Paltrow, and More Celebs Wear This Spanx Sweatshirt That's 'the Comfiest Thing' Shoppers Own |url=https://people.com/karlie-kloss-gwyneth-paltrow-spanx-air-essentials-half-zip-sweatshirt-8639249 |website=People}}</ref>
 
In 2021, the asset manager firm Blackstone bought a [[majority stake]] in Spanx, valuing the company at $1.2 billion.<ref name="Gottfried">{{Cite web |last=Gottfried |first=Miriam |date=October 20, 2021 |title=Blackstone Buying Majority Stake in Spanx |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/blackstone-buying-majority-stake-in-spanx-11634738417 |website=The Wall Street Journal}}</ref> An all-female investment team from Blackstone prepared the deal,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Haverstock |first=Eliza |date=April 21, 2022 |title=Sara Blakely Is A Billionaire (Again) After Selling A Majority Of Spanx To Blackstone |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/elizahaverstock/2021/10/20/sara-blakely-is-a-billionaire-again-after-selling-a-majority-of-spanx-to-blackstone/?sh=10b790dc7d5c |website=Forbes}}</ref> and it was announced that the [[Board of Directors]] would be all-female, with Blakely serving as [[executive chairman]].<ref name="Gottfried" /> At the same time, Oprah Winfrey, [[Reese Witherspoon]], and [[Whitney Wolfe Herd]] also invested in Spanx.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hirsch |first=Lauren |date=November 18, 2021 |title=Oprah Winfrey and Reese Witherspoon join in a private equity takeover of Spanx |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/18/business/oprah-winfrey-reese-witherspoon-spanx.html|website=The New York Times}}</ref>

=== Launch ===
In 2000, Blakely launched the Spanx brand from her apartment,<ref>{{cite web|title=Spanx company info|url=http://www.hoovers.com/company/Spanx_Inc/rystyyi-1.html|work=Hoovers|publisher=D&B}}</ref> undertaking all initial calls and marketing herself. Her boyfriend at the time, a healthcare consultant, later resigned from his job and joined Blakely in the running of the nascent business.<ref name="Inc" />

Blakely previously conducted a meeting with a representative of the [[Neiman Marcus|Neiman Marcus Group]], at which she changed into the product in the ladies restroom in the presence of the Neiman Marcus buyer to prove the benefits of her innovation.<ref>[https://abcnews.go.com/Business/build-billion-dollar-business-spanx-inventor-sara-blakely/story?id=17831265#.UYxnRULD86Y ABC News: "Spanx Founder Reveals How to Build a Billion-Dollar Business" By MELIA PATRIA] November 29, 2012</ref> Blakely's product was sold in seven Neiman Marcus stores as a result of the meeting;<ref name="Inc" /> [[Bloomingdales]], [[Saks Fifth Avenue|Saks]], and [[Bergdorf Goodman]] soon followed.<ref name=ForbesTurned5000>[https://www.forbes.com/global/2012/0326/billionaires-12-feature-united-states-spanx-sara-blakely-american-booty.html Forbes: "How Sara Blakely of Spanx Turned $5,000 into $1 billion" by Clare O'Connor] March 14, 2012</ref>

===2000 onwards===
Following the establishment of the company, Blakely's then-boyfriend eventually became Spanx's [[chief operating officer]] (COO) and met [[Laurie Ann Goldman]] at the [[Saks Fifth Avenue]] in Atlanta in 2001, while she was on maternity leave from her employer at the time, Coca-Cola. Goldman was specifically looking for a Spanx product, and the pair exchanged contact details—Goldman became the [[CEO]] of Spanx in 2002.<ref name="For">{{cite web|author1=Colleen Leahey|title=SPANX CEO out after building the mega-brand|url=http://fortune.com/2014/02/11/spanx-ceo-out-after-building-the-mega-brand/|website=Fortune Magazine|publisher=Fortune|access-date=8 June 2014|date=11 February 2014}}</ref>

Writing for ''[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]]'' magazine in February 2014, Colleen Leahey identified Goldman as a key aspect of the company's successful growth:

<blockquote>
Goldman crafted a business model for the company based on lessons she learned during her 10-year stint at Coke: thinking big, starting small, and scaling fast. She advised her team at SPANX to focus on product quality over profit margins. “Every time somebody puts on a SPANX product, one of two things can happen: Our brand can get stronger, or our brand can get weaker. We gain leverage or we lose leverage.”<ref name="For" /></blockquote>

In the first half of 2014, Blakely worked on building the company's first standalone retail stores in shopping malls along the [[East Coast of the United States|East Coast of the U.S.]], and also introduced denim to an expanding Spanx product line for the "Fall" range in March.<ref name="Pow">{{cite web|title=Power Women > #93 Sara Blakely|url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/sara-blakely/|website=Forbes.com|access-date=8 June 2014|date=June 2014}}</ref>

Goldman resigned from the company in February 2014, after over 10 years at the head of the Spanx.<ref name="For" /> Gregg Ribatt, who had previously worked as an executive for Bennett Footwear, Stuart Weitzman Holdings and Collective Brands' Performance & Lifestyle Group, was appointed as interim [[CEO|chief executive officer]]. Ribatt's appointment generated discussions about a potential footwear expansion by Spanx according to a statement Blakely made in October 2013 explaining her ambition to design the world's most comfortable high-heel shoe prior to retirement.<ref name="Car">{{cite web|author1=Carla Caldwell|title=Spanx CEO steps down|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/morning_call/2014/02/spanx-ceo-goldman-steps-down-high.html?page=all|website=Atlanta Business Chronicle|publisher=American City Business Journals|access-date=8 June 2014|date=13 February 2014}}</ref>

In Blakely's June 2014 ''[[Forbes]]'' profile, the publication claims that the company generates "over $250 million in annual revenues and net profit margins estimated at 20%", while Blakely is very strongly committed to maintaining the private status of Spanx.<ref name="Pow" /> However, speculation arose about a possible [[Initial public offering|IPO]] following Goldman's resignation.<ref name="Car" />

Spanx appointed Jan Singer, previously with [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]], as CEO in 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/clareoconnor/2014/06/05/billionaire-spanx-founder-hires-nike-head-of-apparel-as-new-ceo/|title=Billionaire Spanx Founder Hires Nike Head Of Apparel As New CEO|author=Clare O'Connor|work=Forbes}}</ref>

It was announced on October 20, 2021, that Blakely had sold a majority stake in the business to [[The Blackstone Group|Blackstone]].<ref>[https://www.forbes.com/sites/elizahaverstock/2021/10/20/sara-blakely-is-a-billionaire-again-after-selling-a-majority-of-spanx-to-blackstone/?sh=10b790dc7d5c Forbes: October 20, 2021: Sara Blakely is a billionaire again after selling a majority of Spanx to Blackstone]</ref><ref>[https://fortune.com/2021/10/26/sara-blakely-celebrates-spanx-blackstone-deal-giving-all-employees-first-class-plane-tickets-10000/ Fortune:October 26, 2021:Sara Blakely celebrates Spanx majority sale to Blackstone giving all employees first class plane tickets and $10,000 bonus checks]</ref> The company was valued at $1.2 billion.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.blackstone.com/press-releases/article/blackstone-buys-majority-stake-in-spanx-inc/|title=Blackstone buys majority stake in SPANX, Inc.|last=|first=|website=Blackstone press releases|date=20 October 2021 |language=en|access-date=2021-11-14}}</ref> The deal was prepared by an all-female investment team from Blackstone, and it was announced that the [[Board of Directors]] would be all-female, including Blakely as the Executive Chairwoman.

In 2025, Spanx and Blakely were included in ''[[Pirouette: Turning Points in Design]],'' an exhibition at the [[Museum of Modern Art]] (MoMA) featuring "widely recognized design icons [...] highlighting pivotal moments in design history."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pirouette: Turning Points in Design |url=https://www.moma.org/calendar/exhibitions/5756 |access-date=3 August 2025 |website=[[The Museum of Modern Art]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=23 January 2025 |title=NASA Worm as Art, Museum of Modern Art Opens Exhibition Featuring NASA Worm |url=https://www.nasa.gov/get-involved/art-program/museum-of-modern-art-exhibits-nasa-worm/ |access-date=3 August 2025 |website=[[NASA]]}}</ref><ref name="Feeney-2025">{{Cite web |last=Feeney |first=Mark |author-link=Mark Feeney |date=23 July 2025 |title=At MoMA, designs for living |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/07/23/arts/moma-designs-living/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250724091754/https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/07/23/arts/moma-designs-living/ |archive-date=24 Jul 2025 |access-date=3 August 2025 |website=[[The Boston Globe]]}}</ref> The company's "OnCore" high-waisted mid-thigh short has been in the MoMA design collection since 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017 |title=Spanx, est. 2000, Sara Blakely. 'OnCore' high-waisted mid-thigh short. 2017 |url=https://www.moma.org/collection/works/222479 |access-date=3 August 2025 |website=[[Museum of Modern Art]]}}</ref>

== Products ==
Spanx has a range of sizes, from XS-3X.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Guerra |first=Julia |date=February 1, 2024 |title=What to Know About Spanx and Its Sculpting Benefits |url=https://www.instyle.com/how-to-wear-spanx-shapewear-5379217 |website=InStyle}}</ref> The company has expanded from shapewear, intimates and hosiery to apparel, activewear,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Active |url=https://spanx.com/collections/active |access-date=2025-01-03 |website=Spanx |language=en}}</ref> loungewear,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Braun-Silva |first=Bethany |date=April 12, 2024 |title=Get ready for Spring with these new arrivals from SPANX |url=https://abcnews.go.com/shop/story/new-spanx-shapewear-clothing/?id=105207228 |website=ABC News}}</ref> and denim.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Deyo |first=Jessica |date=March 5, 2024 |title=Spanx leans into apparel offering with first-ever global campaign |url=https://www.retaildive.com/news/spanx-global-brand-campaign-allyson-felix-hulu-ads/709330/ |website=RetailDive}}</ref> Their core collections include SPANXshape Booty Boost,<ref name="People1">{{Cite web |last1=Cepeda |first1=Genevieve |last2=Johnson |first2=Erin |last3=Denby |first3=Laura |date=October 25, 2024 |title=The Best Spanx We Tested Goes Beyond Shapewear — Shop Our Favorite Lounge Pants, Jeans, Bras, and More |url=https://people.com/best-spanx-8733135 |website=People}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Belfiore |first=Emily |date=October 17, 2023 |title=As a Travel Editor, I Live in These Celeb-loved Leggings — and They Just Dropped in a New Fall Color |url=https://www.travelandleisure.com/gwyneth-paltrow-spanx-bootyboost-leggings-8362064 |website=Travel + Leisure}}</ref> SPANX Air Essentials,<ref>{{Cite web |last=VanDerBill |first=Brittany |date=April 20, 2024 |title=Gwyneth Paltrow Owns This 'Really Great' Spanx Half-Zip Sweatshirt and Leggings Set in at Least Two Colors |url=https://people.com/gwyneth-paltrow-spanx-half-zip-leggings-april-2024-8636044 |website=People}}</ref> SPANXsculpt Seamless Power, SPANXsculpt OnCore,<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Rodriguez |first1=Chinea |last2=Flanagan |first2=Hanna |date=July 30, 2024 |title=The Best Shapewear Pieces for Summer |url=https://www.thecut.com/article/best-shapewear-for-summer.html |website=The Cut}}</ref> and SPANXshape EveryWear SPANXsmooth PerfectFit.<ref name="People1" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Baudler |first=Averi |date=September 17, 2024 |title=Spanx Restocked Its Sale Section with 130+ Fall-Friendly Fashion Finds, Including Popular Jeans and Leggings |url=https://people.com/spanx-sale-september-2024-8711653 |website=People}}</ref>

== Corporate affairs ==

=== Ownership ===
Spanx is a private company and has not released financial information. Forbes estimates its value at $540 million in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Wang|first=Jennifer|title=Spanx Is Reportedly Shopping Itself For $1 Billion, But Forbes Estimates The Shapewear Firm Is Worth Far Less|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jenniferwang/2021/06/29/spanx-is-reportedly-shopping-itself-for-1-billion-but-forbes-estimates-the-shapewear-firm-is-worth-far-less/|access-date=2021-10-25|website=Forbes|language=en}}</ref>

In 2002, [[Laurie Ann Goldman]], formerly at [[The Coca-Cola Company|Coca-Cola]], was appointed [[CEO]] of Spanx.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Leahey |first=Colleen |date=February 12, 2014 |title=SPANX CEO out after building the mega-brand |url=https://fortune.com/2014/02/11/spanx-ceo-out-after-building-the-mega-brand/ |website=Fortune}}</ref> She stepped down in 2014 and was replaced by Jan Singer, [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]]’s head of apparel.<ref>{{Cite web |last=O'Connor|first=Clare|date=June 5, 2014|title=Billionaire Spanx Founder Hires Nike Head Of Apparel As New CEO |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/clareoconnor/2014/06/05/billionaire-spanx-founder-hires-nike-head-of-apparel-as-new-ceo/ |website=Forbes}}</ref> In 2024, Caroline (Cricket) Whitton was appointed as CEO and Jeanne Jackson as executive chair of the board.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Lockwood |first=Lisa|date=February 5, 2024|title=Spanx Appoints Caroline (Cricket) Whitton CEO and Jeanne Jackson Executive Chair|url=https://wwd.com/business-news/markets/spanx-names-caroline-cricket-whitton-as-ceo-and-jeanne-jackson-as-executive-chair-1236164821/|website=Women's Wear Daily}}</ref>
 
To celebrate the company's $1.2 billion deal with Blackstone, employees received two [[first class (aviation)|first-class]] plane tickets and $10,000 each.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Woodyatt |first=Amy|date=October 27, 2021|title=Spanx employees given $10,000 and two first-class plane tickets |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2021/10/26/business/spanx-bonus-intl-scli/index.html|website=CNN}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons}}
*{{Official website|https://spanx.com/}}
*''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNLrq13oiNg&ab_channel=TheMuseumofModernArt Spanx and the History of Shapewear]'' [[Pirouette: Turning Points in Design]] ([[MoMA]] via YouTube)

{{hosiery|state=collapsed}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Clothing companies of the United States]]
[[Category:Clothing manufacturers]]
[[Category:Hosiery brands]]
[[Category:Lingerie brands]]
[[Category:Manufacturing companies based in Atlanta]]
[[Category:American companies established in 2000]]
[[Category:Clothing companies established in 2000]]
[[Category:2000 establishments in Georgia (U.S. state)]]
[[Category:Blackstone Inc. companies]]