We’ve been ready with bated breath for Kimora Lee Simmons Leissner’s return, seeing that she announced that she, in my view, bought her streetwear label Baby Phat with plans to relaunch come summer. And four months later, we discovered that the extensive relaunch includes collaborating with Forever 21. A rep for Leissner tells Refinery29 that this is just a teaser for the total reboot in September. There will no longer be any accessories, just 18 garb objects proposing the emblem’s signature cat, all priced below $25. Everything is to be had in immediately, plus sizing.
When the magnate started Baby Phat in 1999 — apparel, shoes, and accessories off-shoot of her then-husband Russell Simmons’ Phat Farm — she must be lauded as being the way in advance of her time. Instead, Simmons turned into a shut-out of a mainstream style, and the logo became labeled “urban,” a loaded term that the industry often slaps on black designers irrespective of their aesthetic.
“Now, all and sundry’s doing unfashionable with a touch excessive-waisted jean and tube top, or the sneaker and the jean — that’s the Baby Phat female,” Simmons advised Refinery29 behind the scenes at her KLS spring 2018 display. “That’s famous [again], and we have been one of the first ones to do it, considered one of the biggest and one of the finest.” Simmons isn’t discounting folks who came earlier than her (she cites labels like Cross Colors and Karl Kani). However, she did make a factor to renowned the Baby Phat’s position in pushing streetwear forward. “We created the idea of a way of life emblem. I don’t want to be careworn and say we were the most effective ones doing that; however, for most people of color who came after us, we were those who did it first.”
And she’s nevertheless doing it with the help of her daughters Ming Lee, 19, and Aoki Lee, 16. “Fashion has one of these nuanced lifestyle cycles, and I’m thrilled to convey back Baby Phat with this tablet for Forever 21,” Leissner tells Refinery29 ultimately. “Now that Ming Lee and Aoki Lee are grown and operating on the brand they grew up with, it means so much to me to introduce Baby Phat to an entirely new era who didn’t get a threat to experience our first cross round. We’re mixing aspiration and accessibility and continuing to aid girls, particularly women of color. Baby Phat defined what a feminine lifestyle emblem will be, and this partnership with Forever 21 permits us to the percentage that adventure through a reinvention with an entirely new audience.”
“Baby Phat is always front and middle when you think about iconic streetwear manufacturers,” says Linda Chang, VP of Merchandising for Forever 21. “We are so thrilled to be a part of a relaunch for an emblem that carved the way for women in streetwear and fashion. It has been an honor to work with Kimora Lee Simmons and her daughters, Ming Lee and Aoki Lee, in this venture, and we ca to’t wait to help clients rediscover a legendary logo.”
