From Bullied Teen to Runway Royalty
Kimora Lee Simmons’s mother enrolled her in modeling classes at age 11 to combat bullying over her height and mixed heritage (Korean-Japanese mother, African-American father). Consequently, by 13, she signed with Chanel under Karl Lagerfeld’s mentorship, storming into history as one of the first Asian-American supermodels.
Notably, Lagerfeld crowned her the “child bride” in a Chanel couture show, cementing her status as a global icon. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of her influence on fashion’s diversity, challenging Eurocentric beauty standards.
Kimora Lee Simmons Breaking Barriers in Fashion
Building on her modeling success, Kimora revolutionized urban streetwear with Baby Phat in 1999, transforming it into a billion-dollar empire under Phat Fashions. Furthermore, she expanded the brand into jewelry, cosmetics, and fragrances, blending hip-hop flair with unapologetic femininity.
Afterward, she pivoted to digital fashion with JustFab and later launched KLS by Kimora Lee Simmons, a luxury line sold at retailers like Bloomingdale’s. Through these businesses, she redefined affordable luxury and allowed women to indulge in fearless, uncompromising fashion.
From Catwalk to Camera: Her Media Reign
While so, Kimora traded catwalk heels for reality television stardom with Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane (2007–2011), and gave viewers a peek at her organized but fabulous mogul and mother life. She also got into Hollywood, appearing in Waist Deep (2006) and Rebound (2005). Ultimately, her sense of humor, vulnerability, and determination helped her become a household name, demonstrating her potential outside of fashion.
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Kimora Lee Simmons Love, Family, and Legacy
Kimora married Russell Simmons in 1998 and divorced him in 2009 after giving birth to daughters Ming Lee and Aoki Lee. She married financier Tim Leissner in 2014, with whom she has two sons and a son with actor Djimon Hounsou.
Outside of her family, she champions philanthropy, emphasizing education and feminism. She urges marginalized groups to pursue their dreams through her activities, following her path.
A Trailblazer’s Impact
Last but not least, Kimora Lee Simmons revolutionized fashion by fusing street and high-end and breaking the glass ceiling for black women. Her legacy attests that determination, creativity, and drive can turn adversity into empire-generating success. She remains a cultural architect today, fusing entrepreneurship and activism to leave an indelible mark on fashion and beyond.
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