Spanx is turning 15!
The Atlanta-based company, founded by Sara Blakely , recently moved its headquarters to The Shops Buckhead Atlanta, the mixed use development that opened last fall. And while Blakely's name has been in the headlines for other reasons lately -- she and husband Jesse Itzler are now part owners of the Atlanta Hawks -- the Spanx shine hasn't lost its luster.
For those who don't know, Blakely's idea to wear footless pantyhose as body shapers struck gold in 2000 when she received her first order from Neiman Marcus and a shout-out from Oprah's Favorite Things. The love-fest from celebs took on a life of its own and regular women followed suit. Their allegiance catapulted Blakely to billionaire status on Forbes' list of "America's Richest Self-Made Women" in 2012.
That's the same year the company began opening freestanding stores including one at Hartsfield-Jackson airport, though plans to open a flagship retail store at the Buckhead headquarters didn't pan out.
To celebrate 15 years, Spanx is bringing back five of their all-time favorite original styles, the Footless Pantyhose, the Power Panties, the High Waisted Power Panties, SlimCognito and Bra-llelujah. To toast our hometown hero, here's a look at how celebs through the years have worshipped at the altar of Spanx.
Spanx flashing (intentional and accidental) is a thing. Jennifer Garner, Kim Kardashian, Tyra Banks and Katie Holmes have all showed their Spanx. But the all-time greatest Spanx reveal was Tina Fey stripping down to her Spanx as a send-off to talk show host David Letterman.
The Ellen DeGeneres show has specialized in Spanx confessionals over the years:
“A lot of us wear them occasionally for certain things,” said Melissa McCarthy, to Ellen as she talked about wearing Spanx for the first time. Her pants fell down and revealed her nude colored Spanx, but she still loves 'em.
“I triple Spanxed which is not good. Spanx really, really work but you do not need to overdo it," said Octavia Spencer to Ellen about her walk down the red carpet.
“It’s tricks. It’s all tricks and mirrors. I’m not in great shape. I’m wearing Spanx. I’m not going to lie with you Ellen," said comedian Wanda Sykes on the show. The Spanx shtick is now part of her comedy routines.
Just as Oprah's magazine gave the brand a boost in its infancy, Oprah offered the ultimate endorsement in 2006 on her talk show. "I wear Spanx every single day," she said. "I’ve given up panties."
Congratulations Spanx!
