Kimora Lee Simmons recruits her daughters Ming Lee and Aoki Lee star in new Baby Phat campaign
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Kimora Lee Simmons’ new business venture includes her daughters Ming Lee Simmons and Aoki Lee Simmons.
The women – aged 47, 22 and 20 respectively – are all taking center stage in the campaign for their new Forever 21 x Baby Phat collaboration.
Speaking of the collaboration, the former model told People: ‘I try to create for them a very strong business sense and a very strong sense of independence and autonomy.’
Family Business: Kimora Lee Simmons’ new partnership with Forever21 includes daughters Ming Lee Simmons and Aoki Lee Simmons
She continued, “I want them to know that I’m growing something for them — for me and for them.” That is it. Me and my five children.’
Joining some of the promotional content were Kimora’s three sons – Kenzo Lee Hounsou and Gary Lee, both 13, and Wolfe Lee Leissner, seven. She adopted
Kimora shares her daughters with ex-husband Russell Simmons, Kenzo with ex-partner Djimon Hounsou, and Wolfe with estranged husband Tim Leissner. Gary was adopted in 2020.
The stunners posed in baby blue outfits including a puffy jacket, sleeveless turtleneck and cropped zip jacket.
Models: The women are all the focus of the campaign for their new Forever21 x Baby Phat campaign
The looks are designed with the sensibility of Baby Phat’s Y2K era in mind, reviving the memorable fabrics and styles of that period.
“It’s about creating that legacy,” the fashion magnate said of the recovery of the beloved early-2000s company.
‘I want [them] to understand the legacy of the company it was created for [them]. It’s been a 20+ year ride and I want them to understand that,” she continued.
Simmons emphasized the importance of getting her kids well informed, as she noted, “I think a lot of kids these days go to school and come out and don’t know how to get a mortgage. They don’t know how to invest.
“They don’t know how to turn a dollar into five. I want [my kids] to understand those things and have fun. And I think they do.’
Values: Speaking about the partnership, the former model told People, “I’m trying to create for them a very strong sense of business and a very strong sense of independence and autonomy”
The photoshoot for the new collection had a winter theme and the family posed on a set with simulated snow.
The brands rolled out photos and Instagram reels to promote the range’s debut on November 17.
In a post on Thursday, Forever 21 captioned a clip, “ICONIC SUPERSTAR @kimoraleesimmons and her daughters ready to take over this holiday season with an exclusive @forever21 x @babyphat collaboration.
Shop the exclusive Forever 21 x @babyphat collection online + in-stores now!
Family Affair: Kimora’s three sons — Kenzo Lee Hounsou and Gary Lee, both 13, and Wolfe Lee Leissner, seven — joined them in some of the promotional content
The fashionista spoke fondly of Kenzo, saying, “Kenzo is six feet tall. So he kind of took the lead in terms of height and the whole modeling thing.
“But I think the others are hot on his heels.”
Her daughters are not new to modeling as they first appeared in advertisements for the fashion house when they were much younger.
Baby Phat entered the tailoring scene in 1999 as an extension of Phat Farm, which was run by her then-husband, Russell.
The brand was a mainstay in the fashion world and distinguished itself with its velor sweatsuits.
Kimora acquired Phat Fashions in 2007, but sold it to the Kellwood Company just three years later.
Years later, in 2019, Kimora announced she had bought back the company and relaunched that summer with Forever 21.
Now Phat Farm joins Baby Phat in its revival and Simmons allows her daughters to participate in the process.
Fierce: Kimora struck a pose with her eldest child, Ming Lee while they were dressed in black
“They’re Gen Z and I think they’re rethinking not only fashion, but also the business side of things,” the businesswoman explained.
She said, “Obviously things are more developed in terms of social media and having platforms like that and how you reach people.”
The proud mom added, “Both girls have some kind of business aspect [college] main subjects. Ming’s deals with marketing and advertising a little more specifically and I just love it.
“It’s like you can take some of that information and some of that brains and smarts home with you.”
Describing the selections offered, Kimora said, “It’s outdoor wear. So we have a snowsuit in all colors. I also have little low-slung hip cuddly skirts, but in great fabrics that are warm and cozy.
“It’s all about layering, keeping it sleek and cute and sexy, but also having outerwear.”
Brood: Kimora shares her daughters with ex-husband Russell Simmons, Kenzo with ex-partner Djimon Hounsou, and Wolfe with estranged husband Tim Leissner