Baby Phat Archives - New Hip Hop News

Saweetie’s Iconic Halloween Recreation Pays A Glamorous Tribute To Kimora Lee Simmons

November 1, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Halloween, the time of the year when creativity knows no bounds and paying homage to iconic figures is the name of the game. This year, rapper Saweetie took the Halloween game to a whole new level. Although she didn’t dress up per say, she did recreate a look. She recreated a look that was none other than fashion mogul Kimora Lee Simmons. Her Halloween choice wasn’t just a “costume;” it was a heartfelt tribute to Kimora’s legendary Baby Phat brand. She recreated one of Kimora’s most memorable Baby Phat advertisements, identically replicating the photo to a tee. And here’s where the internet went into a frenzy: she posed nude as well, embodying the essence of Kimora’s unapologetic confidence and the empowering spirit of the Baby Phat brand.

The creativity and attention to detail in Saweetie’s Halloween look honored a fashion icon. However, it also underscored the importance of self-expression and the celebration of powerful women in the industry. Kimora Lee Simmons has long been a symbol of style, business acumen, and fierce determination. And Saweetie’s Halloween tribute served as a powerful acknowledgment of the impact that figures like Kimora have had on the world of fashion and culture. Several celebs pulled out all the stops this year to recreate a fashionable look.

Saweetie Channels Kimora Lee Simons

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Moreover, in an industry where fashion and art continually intersect, Saweetie’s Halloween tribute reminded us that artists can use their craft to pay homage to those who’ve left a mark on the world of style. Beyond the fun and festivities, this iconic costume carried a deeper message: it celebrated the women who have blazed trails in the fashion world and who continue to inspire the next generation of creative minds. Many celebs pulled out all the stops for Halloween. In fact, Winnie Harlow recreated Katt Williams for an on-point look and hilarious skit.

Saweetie’s choice to embody Kimora Lee Simmons on Halloween wasn’t just a costume. It was a statement, a celebration, and a testament to the power of art and fashion to connect generations and honor those who have shaped the industry. It was a reminder that creativity knows no bounds, and Halloween is the perfect canvas to paint one’s tribute to the icons who have made a lasting impact on the world. Did she nail it? Let us know on HNHH!

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Baby Phat: Kimora Lee’s Dream, A Cultural Phenomenon

October 17, 2023 by newhiphopnews

In the 2000s, Kimora Lee had the fashion industry on lock with her fashion brand, Baby Phat. Her seamless transition from stunning model to fashion mogul remains an essential story in fashion history. It’s not news that the brand has lost much momentum since the 2010s rolled in. However, Baby Phat remains Kimora Lee’s passion project. The brand was once a cultural phenomenon in the 2000s and had a longstanding impact on the fashion industry. With that in mind, it is no surprise that Kimora is set to return Baby Phat to its former glory sooner rather than later.

Baby Phat originated as an extension of the Phat Farm label established by Lee’s ex-husband, Russell Simmons, in 1992. Simmons, a renowned figure in the Hip Hop stratosphere, co-founded Def Jam Recordings. He later ventured into the fashion world with Phat Farm, catering primarily to men’s urban fashion.

Baby Phat was first explored in 1993, just a year after Phat Farm started. At the time, the brand was in its very early stages and only offered a limited variety of women’s T-shirts. By the mid-’90s, the production and development of Baby Phat designs was put on hold until further notice. Soon after, Russell Simmons partnered with Turbo Sportswear, forming the American Design Group (ADG). Following this partnership, the license for Phat Farm apparel was awarded to ADG. Eventually, in 1998, ADG decided to resume the development of Baby Phat, and the brand was relaunched soon after.

Kimora Lee Steps In

In 1998, Kimora Lee was shown a new prototype of a women’s t-shirt from Phat Farm. Lee thought the shirt was disappointing and told her then-husband that she “would never wear this.” She described the prototype as “very athletic and basic, scaled-down pieces of what a guy would wear.” However, she realized she could help take the brand to the next level with her fashion experience and great eye for design. Soon after, Kimora Lee decided to take on the designer and creative director role of Baby Phat. In addition, Lee went on to create a collection of designs she saw fit to be worn by women. By the following year, 1999, Baby Phat by Kimora Lee Simmons launched.

The Rise Of Baby Phat

After launching, Baby Phat quickly gained popularity for its distinctive style. More importantly, the brand became a hit within the Hip Hop community. Characterized by flashy designs, rhinestones, animal prints, and the iconic cat logo of the brand, Baby Phat had great appeal. The brand’s aesthetic mirrored the Hip Hop culture of the late ‘90s and early 2000s, and it soon became synonymous with urban glamor.

Under Kimora Lee’s watchful eye, Baby Phat became a trailblazer in the urban fashion scene. It appealed to many celebrities, including Lil’ Kim, Missy Elliot, Mary J. Blige, and Aaliyah. Moreover, Baby Phat was also sought after by fashion enthusiasts, fans of Hip Hop, and young women alike. Over the next few years, the brand became a billion-dollar venture.

The Departure Of Kimora Lee

In 2004, The Kellwood Company, a major fashion manufacturer, acquired Baby Phat. Kellwood decided to keep Kimora Lee in her position as president and creative director. Lee’s contract ended in 2010, and she subsequently left, but she retained ownership of all licensing rights to her collections. Although sales had begun to drop by the late 2000s, Kimora Lee’s exit made them plummet even harder. As time went by, the brand slowly faded from mainstream fashion markets and public consciousness.

The Return Of Baby Phat

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Following years of decline, Baby Phat made a grand comeback in 2019 after Kimora Lee announced she had reacquired the brand. She relaunched soon after, and the brand has steadily risen since then. Lee recently announced a new 2023 collection that went on sale on September 29. In this new fall collection, Kimora Lee has gone “back to the basics,” being heavily inspired by the Y2K fashion she’s a pioneer of.

In an exclusive interview with People, Lee referred to the collection as “kind of a relaunch.” She further stated, “I just think because of everything we’ve been through, throughout COVID and everything, it seems like your life is always a relaunch every time you give birth to a different iteration of, you know, your baby, which this is.” The fall collection is priced between $50 and $100 and is now exclusively available on Babyphat.com.

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Kimora Lee Simmons: A Fashion Icon And Business Mogul

June 21, 2023 by newhiphopnews

In the 90s, very few women in fashion commanded authority quite like Kimora Lee Simmons. A woman of many talents, Simmons has been an unstoppable force since she first signed with Chanel at age 13. Since then, she’s gone on to succeed in numerous business ventures. Kimora Lee Simmons has added to her impressive repertoire by becoming a successful businesswoman and philanthropist.

Besides her impressive career, Simmons became Hip Hop royalty after her marriage to Russell Simmons. On June 18, the world at large celebrated Father’s Day. Barely 24 hours later, Simmons publicly called out her ex-husband. In a series of Instagram story posts, the fashion icon alleged that she and the two kids she shares with Russell have been subjects of abuse at the hands of the record executive.

Nonetheless, Kimora Lee Simmons remains a definitive figure in the history of fashion. She was a highly in-demand model in the 90s. By the 2000s, her brand Baby Phat became a global phenomenon. It didn’t take long before she ventured into the world of reality TV. Altogether, Simmons’ status as a fashion legend and business mogul is indisputable.

Early Beginnings As A Model

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Kimora Lee Simmons plunged into global fashion success at the tender age of 13. When she was 11, her mother enrolled her in modeling classes to build her confidence. As a tall, biracial child of Black American, Japanese, and Korean descent, Simmons was the target of bullying. After being successfully scouted, she was flown to Paris where she started a meteoric rise to fame.

Simmons was signed exclusively to Chanel, where her racial ambiguity was put on full display by Karl Lagerfeld. Later on, she would walk the runway for many major fashion houses, including Fendi, YSL, and Valentino. In addition to this, she landed numerous magazine covers. Her love of fashion would eventually lead her to launch Baby Phat.

Success And Impact Of Baby Phat

Kimora Lee Simmons at Baby Phat Afterparty in 2004. — Kimora Lee Simmons during Olympus Fashion Week Fall 2004 – Baby Phat – After Party at Boulevard in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)

After a highly successful decade, Kimora Lee Simmons extended her power in fashion to the world of design. In 1999, she launched the widely popular lifestyle brand, Baby Phat, an off-branch of Russell Simmons’ Phat Farm. The brand served to open several doors for many minority fashion designers. Baby Phat was also noted for being unmistakably inspired by Hip Hop’s style.

Baby Phat became such a huge phenomenon that it spread all across the globe. The brand was in extremely high demand in the 2000s, attaining monumental commercial success. Capitalizing on the popularity of the brand, Simmons continued to expand, accommodating several products besides clothing. By 2010, Simmons and Phat Fashions parted ways, but she relaunched the brand in 2019.

Other Ventures and Personal Life

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A post shared by Kimora Lee Simmons (@kimoraleesimmons)

Kimora Lee Simmons’ successes in recent years are just as outstanding as her career in modeling and fashion design. In 2007, she gained a new set of fans after starring in her reality TV show. Titled, Kimora: Life In The Fab Lane, the series focused on the mogul’s personal life. Her three children at the time, Ming Lee, Aoki Lee, and Kenzo Lee all appeared, including her then-boyfriend, Djimon Hounsou, and her ex-husband Russell.

Simmons is also a bestselling author and has starred in several television shows and films. She has also appeared in three music videos — “Nice & Slow” by Usher, “Change Clothes” by Jay-Z, and “In Those Jeans” by Ginuwine. Altogether, Kimora Lee Simmons has cultivated such a multifaceted career that has stood the test of time.

Kimora Lee and Russell Simmons were married between 1998 and 2009. However, she and the media mogul separated and she began a relationship with actor Djimon Hounsou. The pair had an intimate ceremony in Hounsou’s native country Benin, but the union was not recognized in the United States. They separated in 2012, and two years later, she married investment banker, Tim Leissner, although they’re now estranged. She has five children altogether.

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