Blog Kimora

Trying to understand the creative process

Fashion-types are creative by nature. But sometimes they can take creativity to places we lay folks just don't understand.

Model coach and America's Next Top Model star Jay Alexander sat down after the Carolina Herrera fashion show and filled me in on the vision behind Kimora Lee Simmons' over-the-top Baby Phat show, which was too early in the week for me to catch.

"Imagine a plane crashes on an exotic island," Alexander said, in his haughty, Euro-tinged voice. "The models were in eclectic pieces of all the clothing gathered from all the dead passengers. They were in a rainforest. They had leaves in their hair. And the grills in their mouths came from the socialites on the plane. The models, they crushed the diamonds they found on the socialites and put them in their mouths."

Ewwww.

While sitting and waiting for shows to begin (they're always at least 20-30 minutes late), I also learned that we lay folks will soon have two new ways to learn how to dress and live like the fashionable fortunate.

Designer-turned-talk-show-host Isaac Mizrahi has launched a new free magazine, Isaac's Style Book, which will show -- mainly in documentary style photography -- "all the mistakes and embarrasments people make in the pursuit of fashion, travel and cooking," Erika Kawalek, the mag's editor-in-chief told me.

And editor-at-large Suze Yalof Schwartz shared with me that Glamour magazine is coming out with a hilarious, photo-laden how-not-to book called Glamour's Big Book of Dos and Don'ts. The book will detail rules for dressing, as well as show celebrities at their worst -- just to make us all feel a little better.

"The moral of the story," Yalof Schwartz says, "is that you can have all the money in the world and still be tacky."

The Baltimore Sun -  Sept. 12, 2006

Bringing Bling to the Runway

Kimora Lee Simmons' Baby Phat line kicked off the evening shows of the first day of Olympus Fashion Week. Her sexy styles set off sirens with short shorts and smoking suits.

"It's all about Brazilian safari, Brazilian rainforest. It's like, it's tropical colors. It's warm, beautiful delicate flowers," said Kimora Lee Simmons. "It's little sculptures on the nails of orchids that are turquoise and pink, white, cream. It's really a beautiful collection."

The celebs sat in the front row and sang Kimora Lee's praises.

"It's absolutely fabulous; everything I thought it was going to be," said Lil' Kim. "I love Kimora. I love Baby Phat."

"She's a little bit rock-and-roll; she's hip-hop; she's funky. But she's down to earth, and she feels sort of like an every woman," said Jamie-Lynn Sigler.

With a bling orthodontist backstage the show took a bite out of fashion week.

"That is something that's from the ghetto, down south, they've been doing that," said Simmons. "Black folks were born with grills in they're mouths, so I wanted to show the world a little taste of really how it's done."

NY1 - Sept. 11, 2006

Baby Phat: Monarch of Urban Style Channels Brazilian Rainforest

Fight, fight, fight!" someone chanted from the audience towards rapper 50 Cent at the Baby Phat Spring 2007 Women's presentation on Friday, September 8th. The cause of the disparagement was likely someone disgruntled by his seat assignment or possibly a lyrical diss.

The Baby Phat show, known for its anarchic nature - i.e starting late, shouting matches, fights and hip-hop royalty seat swapping - are all part of the rites of passage for attendees.

A rainforest backdrop indicated the theme of the designs and the stage was flanked with Louis Vuitton luggage (letting it be known Kimora owns one of the largest private LV collections in the world). The runway took us on a Brazilian holiday.

Opening to the sounds of Beyonce's "Ring the Alarm," a red sequined scoop neck backless top was paired with denim shorts affixed with Baby Phat kitty logo on its rear. Following this season's trend of super short shorts, a tiny dark denim jumper and a deep red skimpy flight suit with chocolate leather trim were defining pieces. Peacock embellishments popped up on skirts and tops.

Wraps and sarong dresses in pink, brown and black were reminiscent of Missoni's box print. Later pinstriped suits with cigarette pants were accessorized with gold and diamond encrusted mouth grills. With color schemes ranging from deep browns to warm pinks, the Spring collection had a more Fall feel.

Baby Phat has established itself as a "lifestyle" brand and Kimora Lee Simmons, the face and creative force behind the label is the czar of the urban teeny-booper market. With bedazzled jewelry, affordable shoes, well-marketed beauty and scent extensions, Simmons is not only a designer but a savvy business woman.

With hip-hop dominating pop culture trends, the Baby Phat group will continue to govern the retail world with its Spring 07 teen-friendly collection of logo denims and micro-shorts.

©2006 Fashion Wire Daily

New York Fashion Week - Spring 2007

The good news from Baby Phat is that one could picture the young hipsters who go to city clubs wearing many of the outfits previewed on the catwalk. The bad news is that the emphasis was on everything but the clothes at Kimora Lee Simmons' filled-to-capacity show Friday night.

First, there were the celebrities in the audience, including 50 Cent and "The Sopranos" stars Lorraine Bracco and Jamie-Lynn Sigler; then the hour-long wait for the first model to step onto the runway. And what was she wearing? A jeweled grill over her teeth, imaginably to give her street cred.

It would have been OK to distract attention away from that first look - a sparkly red-and-purple cowl top with denim shorts - but the loose white tunic tops that came next could have stood on their own. The same could be said for the jersey dresses, the scarf-style dresses and a gray denim suit with cigarette pants.

But Simmons went too far with some outfits, including a sequined bikini bottom topped with jeweled fanny packs and a short jumpsuit in red with brown leather trim."

Forbes.com - Sept. 9, 2006

Saddle River Splendor

Russell and Kimora Lee Simmons' Saddle River Splendor is on the market for $20M+.

Forbes.com - Simmons and Lee, who have declined to comment on their next destination, purchased their estate from apparel executive Arnold Simon, who had built the home five years earlier.

Set on nearly four acres, the 35,000-square-foot home has ten bedrooms, eight full baths and three half-baths. In addition to lavish marble work and grand picture windows, the mansion features the utmost in luxury--to say nothing of comfort--with heated floors throughout.

The opulence extends to the dining room, a spectacular space that has a gold leaf ceiling and five hand-painted murals by artist Andrew Tedesco. Off of the mahogany living room, which is also embellished with gold leaf inlay, is the estate's library and smoking room.

The mansion includes a great room with 35-foot-high ceilings and a 20-foot-long marble hearth, as well as a 100-foot-long gallery, complete with coffered ceilings. What's more, there is a "Versace" room, with a bed designed by late fashion designer Gianni Versace.

Boredom will hardly be an issue for whoever purchases this fully equipped pad. The estate features its own movie theater, which comes with a marquee and wax ticket taker, as well as a candy room and popcorn machine.

The property has both indoor and outdoor pools. During the winter months, the 12-by-24-foot indoor pool is the venue of choice. Come summer, everyone will want to move outside to the 30-by-70-foot lagoon-style pool. In addition to a cabana, bar and "his and hers" bathrooms, the outdoor space has waterfalls, caves and an ultra-luxurious Jacuzzi.

The property's grounds are immaculately landscaped with bamboo and plum trees, as well as a decorative koi pond. It is dotted with pre-cast fountains and wrought-iron gates.

It is listed with Lisa Maysonet of Prudential Douglas Elliman.

Photos: Douglas Elliman

More: Forbes

Jolie Mag Cover Girl - October 2006

Ever since her "separation" from hip-hop impresario Russell Simmons was announced last spring, Kimora Lee Simmons is one hot commodity -- on the media circuit.

The former fashion model turned businesswoman has appeared on TV shows such as 'Martha,' 'The Tyra Banks Show' and even the newsmagazine show '20/20' (last week). On the print front, the bi-racial, half Black half Japanese, superwoman has returned to her supermodel glory, appearing on numerous magazine covers.

The 31-year-old St. Louis native recently graced the cover of 'Vibe Vixen' and the top-selling urban men's mag, 'King.' On Aug 29, the new edition of 'Jolie' magazine arrives on newsstands with an interview between Simmons and actress Vivica A. Fox.

"I try not to let others’ perceptions of me affect the things I know about myself," the statuesque six-footer said about misconceptions of her. "But at the same time I preach to all women everywhere that a little self-indulgence is sometimes necessary."

Fox --who is no stranger to hip-hop scandal-- didn't pull any punches when asking Lee Simmons (known to be a walking sound-bite) about the beloved Def Jam Records founder. While the usually over-the-top Baby Phat empress remained tight-lipped about divorce proceedings, Fox gave her the platform to address the ongoing rumor circulating about the couple's dismal sex life.

"Allegedly, you were quoted in a major media outlet as saying, 'I am happy and wished that Russell and I departed years ago….Russell and I had outgrown one another years ago and the little blue pill did not help our sex life….Russell was awful in bed! We will continue our business relationship and we will both be active in our kids’ lives, but the romance is what...over!!!'"

Lee Simmons responded in her trademark exclamatory fashion: "Absolutely false!"

"I would never nor have I ever been known to be the type of woman that would carry herself in such a way - by saying such silly and senseless things about another person, let alone my baby daddy!"

Oh, okay Kimora.

So what's behind the allure of Kimora on the magazine cover front?

"Kimora's mixed ethnic background, confidence and glamorous image speaks directly to our audience who's thirsty for individuals much like themselves," offered 'Jolie's' Co-Publisher/Executive Editor Rachel Breton. "Also, as a mother and a businesswoman, Kimora's story hits home for some of our readers who can relate to the aspect of juggling motherhood and a career successfully."

Jolie Magazine, October 2006

Spring 2007 Fashion Week

Kimora Lee will present her Baby Phat line at 8 p.m. on Fashion Week's opening night.

King Mag Cover Girl - September 2006

(NY Daily News, July 2, 2006) - Hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons is openly dating, but his estranged wife, Kimora Lee Simmons, tries to keep her love life secret in a cover-story interview with King magazine. When editor in chief Datwon Thomas asks what it's like being "on the market," Kimora pretends ignorance. "Am I on the market? What market?" With that - in the unpublished outtakes of the interview - a publicist breaks in to demand: "What's going on here?" When Thomas repeats the question, the flack advises: "I have to tell you we are going to have to end this interview." But Kimora did return to the phone to take a few more questions.

At another point, the 6-foot-tall model-turned-designer insists men don't hit on her. "Guys do not step to me! They don't, and if they do, they're a certain kind of a guy, like some little kid in the club. Like, 'What, do you even know who I am?' But no one ever steps to me, I guess 'cause they are being respectful." Thomas asks: "Because of the affiliation?" - meaning Russell. Kimora pauses and stammers: "I mean, yeah ... uh, I don't know."

Elsewhere, the half-Japanese, half-African-American beauty announces that she's a "blazin' Asian. ... Me and Tiger Woods are the same damn thing!" As for her addiction to labels: "When I was a little girl, I slept on Ralph Lauren sheets. I was sleeping on another man: Ralph!"

New haircut?

Kimora Lee Simmons at the "AMFAR" Party
during the 59th Cannes Film Festival
May 25, 2006 (Photo: Stephane Cardinale)

2006 Vanity Fair OSCAR Party

Russell Simmons and Kimora Lee Simmons arrive at the 2006 Vanity Fair Oscar Party held at Morton's in Los Angeles, CA, USA, on Sunday, March 5, 2006