Kimora Lee Simmons facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kimora Lee Simmons
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Simmons in 2009
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Kimora Lee Perkins
May 4, 1975 St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
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| Other names | Kimora Lee Leissner |
| Alma mater | University of Hartford (BA) |
| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1988–present |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Partner(s) | Djimon Hounsou (2007–2012) |
| Children | 5 |
| Modeling information | |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) |
| Hair color | Black |
| Eye color | Brown |
Kimora Lee Simmons (born May 4, 1975) is an American businesswoman, fashion designer, TV star, and former model. When she was a teenager, she signed with Chanel and became a model. Simmons has walked the runway for famous fashion brands like Fendi and Valentino. She has also appeared on the covers of magazines such as Vogue and Elle.
In 1999, she started her own worldwide fashion brand called Baby Phat. Later, in 2007, she began starring in a reality TV show with her family, called Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane.
Contents
Early Life and First Steps in Modeling
Kimora Lee Perkins was born in St. Louis, Missouri. As she grew up, she was often teased at school. This was because she was very tall (5 feet 10 inches by age ten) and had a mixed background. Her father was African-American, and her mother was Japanese-Korean. Kimora felt "different" and found it hard to feel confident.
To help her feel better, Kimora's mother enrolled her in modeling classes when she was eleven. Two years later, Kimora went to a model search event in Kansas City. There, she was discovered by Marie-Christine Kollock, an agent from a famous modeling agency in Paris called Glamour. Soon after, Kimora went to Paris, where she quickly became popular in the fashion world and began her modeling career.
Simmons finished high school in St. Louis. In 2017, she went back to school. In 2018, she earned a degree in Business and Entrepreneurial Affairs from the University of Hartford in Hartford, Connecticut.
Her Amazing Career
Becoming a Top Model
When Kimora was just thirteen, she signed a special modeling contract with Chanel. She began working closely with Chanel's designer at the time, Karl Lagerfeld. Their relationship was special because, back then, it was rare to see a model with a mixed background like Kimora's in high-end fashion ads.
Kimora remembers that Karl Lagerfeld was one of the first to feature a mixed-race model on a Parisian runway. She learned from him to "stand tall and claim my destiny." After closing the 1989 Chanel fashion show, Kimora walked for other big fashion houses. These included Fendi, Valentino, Emanuel Ungaro, and Yves Saint Laurent. She also appeared in magazines like Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, and Elle.
Starting Her Own Fashion Brand
In 1999, Kimora launched her global fashion and lifestyle brand, Baby Phat. This brand was created as a women's clothing line. It was part of the larger fashion company Phat Fashions, which her husband at the time, Russell Simmons, had started. Baby Phat was made to offer unique clothing that reflected urban culture.
Baby Phat quickly became very popular and crossed all cultural barriers. It became a well-known name in both fashion and popular culture. On September 15, 1999, Baby Phat had its first fashion show at New York Fashion Week. The show was held at Radio City Music Hall and was even shown live on the Jumbotron in Times Square.
Many celebrities attended Baby Phat fashion shows, including Aaliyah, Lil' Kim, Missy Elliot, Mary J. Blige, and Paris Hilton. Kimora always ended her shows by walking the runway with her daughters, Ming Lee and Aoki Lee. She said that having her children with her on the runway was always her favorite part.
Kimora eventually became the president and creative director of Phat Fashions. This included Baby Phat, Phat Farm, and other lines. This made her one of the first women of color to lead a group of fashion brands. She created a whole new type of urban clothing and accessories designed by women, for women.
Baby Phat was very successful. This led to the company expanding into many new product areas. These included jewelry, handbags, shoes, swimwear, and even fragrances. All these products were sold worldwide.
In 2010, Kimora left Phat Fashions. The next year, she became the President and Creative Director of JustFab, a shopping website. She worked there until 2015. After that, Kimora started working on a new fashion label called KLS by Kimora Lee Simmons. This line offers high-end clothing at more affordable prices. It was sold in luxury stores like Bloomingdales and Lord and Taylor.
Bringing Back Baby Phat
On International Women's Day, March 8, 2019, Kimora announced that she had bought back Baby Phat. She shared this news at an event for UN Women. The new Baby Phat would continue to focus on empowering women. It would be owned and led by women, and designed by women for women.
Baby Phat relaunched in the summer of 2019 and released a new collection in the fall. Kimora said that the new Baby Phat would offer sportswear for young people. She noted that young people want designs with a purpose and messages that connect with them.
Her Business Ventures
In the spring of 2019, Kimora helped launch Pellequr. This is a spa in Beverly Hills that offers a new twist on traditional Korean spas.
Her Personal Life
Kimora Perkins married Russell Simmons in December 1998. They had two daughters together before divorcing in 2009.
In May 2009, Kimora had her first son with actor and model Djimon Hounsou.
In February 2014, it was reported that she married investment banker Tim Leissner. Their son was born in April 2015.
In 2020, Kimora adopted a son, making her a mother of five children.
Giving Back to the Community
Kimora Simmons has always been involved in helping others. She has served on the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation.
In 2008, Kimora supported PETA's "Be an Angel to Dogs" campaign. This campaign encouraged people to treat their pets kindly. Kimora was pictured with angel wings for the campaign. She also donated $20,000 to PETA's "Angel for Animals Project," which provides dog houses to dogs in need. She has also protested with PETA.
On March 14, 2008, the mayor of St. Louis gave Kimora the key to the city. He also declared March 14 "Kimora Day" to honor her contributions to society.
In 2014, Kimora started the Kimora Lee Simmons Scholarship Fund at FIT. She donated one million dollars to help students from less fortunate backgrounds who want to work in fashion. Kimora also supports other organizations like amfAR, The G&P Foundation, Keep a Child Alive, and the Hetrick-Martin Institute.
Since 2018, Kimora has done humanitarian work to help refugees and women and children in crisis. These are people fleeing violence or natural disasters in their home countries. As a Lead Global Ambassador for The Unmentionables, she has helped provide hygiene products to migrant and refugee women in Europe. In 2017, Kimora and her family went to Texas to help with relief efforts after Hurricane Harvey.
In 2018, Kimora spoke at The Global Innovation Coalition for Change (GICC). This was in partnership with UN Women to help women and girls in innovation and technology. She is now a Global Innovator for Change, working for gender equality in the workplace.
In 2021, Kimora and Baby Phat teamed up with Smile Train for the #AllSmilesAreBeautiful campaign. They created a special t-shirt, and all the money from sales went to Smile Train's programs. These programs support the mental health of children with cleft palates.
In August 2022, Kimora, Baby Phat, and Phat Farm worked with Family Dollar and Crayola. They hosted a back-to-school giveaway to help families facing financial difficulties in Los Angeles.
Kimora on TV and in Books
Her Television Appearances
Kimora has worked in television as a host, actress, and reality TV star. She was one of the hosts for the TV series One World Music Beat from 1998 to 2001. In 2003, Kimora was a judge on the first season of America's Next Top Model alongside Tyra Banks.
In 2007, her reality series Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane started on the Style Network. This show followed Kimora's daily life as a businesswoman and a mother. Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane aired until 2011. Kimora also helped produce many episodes of the show.
In 2013, The Style Network launched Kimora: House of Fab. This show focused only on Kimora's work life as the Creative Director of JustFab. Kimora: House of Fab ran for one season.
Kimora received a Tony Award in 2003 for her work as a producer for a Broadway show called Def Poetry Jam.
Other Media Projects
Kimora is the author of a book called Fabulosity: What It Is & How to Get It. This book was published in 2006. It is a guide for female empowerment and received good reviews.
In 2006, Kimora joined many other celebrities in the famous Got Milk? campaign. She was pictured with a milk mustache.
In February 2008, Mattel released the Kimora Lee Simmons Barbie Doll. The doll was designed to look like Kimora's unique style.
Kimora has also appeared in several movies, including Beauty Shop, Brown Sugar, and Waist Deep. She has also been in music videos for artists like Ginuwine and Usher.
Images for kids
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Simmons in 2009
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Simmons in 2009
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Kimora Lee Simmons with then-partner Djimon Honsou at the Push premiere in 2009
See also
In Spanish: Kimora Lee Simmons para niños
