Kimora Lee Simmons wasn’t always the CEO and creative director of the clothing line Baby Phat. At age 13, in hopes of gaining some self-confidence, she began modeling. Sure, 13 is young, but when you are 6-feet tall and Karl Lagerfeld anoints you “the face of the 21st century” you just go with it.
Growing up St. Louis, Missouri Simmons caught a lot of flack for being biracial (her father is African American and her mother is Japanese), but it’s her looks that launched her career. In addition to being a fashion designer, former model and wife of hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons, she is also a shrewd business woman.
She launched her own perfume, Goddess, and a makeup line called KLS Cosmetics Collection as well as appearing on various cable television programs, including the syndicated show Life and Style as well as on friend Tyra Banks’ America’s Next Top Model as a celebrity judge.
She also wrote a how-to book entitled “Fabulosity,” which was released in 2006 – the title was taken from her VH1 series of the same name.
Simmons’ love of the good life and all things “bling” have garnered just as much attention as her business endeavors. She is the largest collector of Louis Vuitton worldwide and has a shoe and handbag collection that puts Imelda Marcos to shame.
