The Label
Perhaps the only brand that describes itself as "a publicity tool" on its website, Baby Phat was created by Russell and Kimora Lee Simmons in 1999 to further their hip-hop lifestyle empire. The sister line to urban menswear label Phat Farm, Baby Phat embraces the girly "ghetto glam" look with metallic pink miniskirts, furry white go-go boots and slinky leopard print tops. A favorite of club girls and bootylicious celebrities, Baby Phat's line expands every year; what was once a small collection of tees has grown to include cocktail dresses, outerwear, a new shoe collection and a series of clothes actually made for babies and small children. The line's success comes partly from Baby Phat's lavish fashion shows, so packed with rock stars that they resemble an official MTV event. But while Baby Phat is still the main name in urban girly wear, it's facing competition from Damon Dash's Roca Wear label, which recently paired with Patricia Field for their new line and also employs Damon's wife Rachel Roy—another model-turned-mogul-wife—as its creative director.
The Look
Hip-hop video dancer meets girly ice princess, Hello Kitty diamond tiara included.
The Designer
Born in St. Louis in 1975, Kimora Lee Simmons began her career in fashion at age 13, when Karl Lagerfeld anointed her a muse of Chanel. Her catwalk career led to many VIP admirers, among them Def Jam Records founder Russell Simmons, whom she married in 1998. Though Kimora had no previous experience in design or business before Baby Phat, she claims her time inside the House of Chanel prepared her for helming her own company, and it looks like she may be right: Under Kimora's leadership, Baby Phat continues to expand its collections and recently entered into the lucrative world of licensing, with a series of Baby Phat cell phones released in 2003, and a new perfume launched in 2005. Kimora also serves as a Baby Phat ambassador through television stints on "America's Next Top Model" and "Life & Style." In a profile of her bling-heavy lifestyle in March 2005's "Vanity Fair," Kimora spoke of her label as an aspirational brand, telling the magazine, "They see my life... they want my clothes. Got it?"
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment