Kimora Lee Simmons

hideThis article has multiple issues. Please help or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these template messages) This article contains text that is written in a promotional tone. Please help by removing promotional language and inappropriate external links, and by adding encyclopedic text written from a neutral point of view. (May 2021) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) This article may have been created or edited in return for undisclosed payments, a violation of Wikipedia's terms of use. It may require cleanup to comply with Wikipedia's content policies, particularly neutral point of view. (February 2020) This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources:  –  ·  ·  · scholar · JSTOR (December 2019) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

Kimora Lee Simmons
Leissner at the Push premiere in January 2009
Born	Kimora Lee Perkins[1] (1975-05-04) May 4, 1975 (age 46) St. Louis, Missouri, United States
Other names	Kimora Lee Leissner
Occupation	Businesswoman fashion designer TV personality author model
Years active	1988–present
Spouse(s)	Russell Simmons ​ ​ (m. 1998; div. 2009)​ Tim Leissner ​ (m. 2013)​
Partner(s)	Djimon Hounsou (2007–2012)
Children	5
Modeling information
Height	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Hair color	black
Eye color	Brown
Website	www.babyphat.com

Kimora Lee Leissner (previously Simmons, née Perkins; born May 4, 1975)^[2] is an American entrepreneur, fashion designer, TV personality, author, philanthropist and model.

Early life[]

Kimora Lee Perkins was born in St. Louis, Missouri^[3][4] and spent her early life in the northern St. Louis suburb of Florissant, Missouri. She is of African-American and Japanese Korean heritage. Nearly 6 feet tall by age 10, she was teased because of her height.^[5]

To boost her confidence because of her height, Kimora’s mother enrolled her in a modeling class when she was eleven years old.

Career[]

Modeling[]

At age 13, Perkins signed a modeling contract with Chanel and under the tutelage of Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld.

Simmons helped inspire Lagerfeld's creative vision and call for racial inclusion, and paved the way for other mixed race models in the fashion world. Lagerfeld deemed her the "Face of the 21st Century".^[6]

She gained attention in the fashion world when she closed Lagerfeld's haute couture show in 1989 as the "bride" – the concluding bridal look signature to every Chanel show under Lagerfeld’s tenure

Simmons later modeled for Fendi, Valentino, Emanuel Ungaro, Christian Dior, Roberto Cavalli, Kenzo, Anna Sui, Geoffrey Beene, and Yves Saint Laurent.

Baby Phat by Kimora Lee Simmons and Phat Fashions[]

In 1998, Simmons' then husband, music mogul and entrepreneur, Russell Simmons, was at the helm of "Phat Farm", an urban menswear brand. Simmons created a parallel women’s brand, "Baby Phat by Kimora Lee Simmons", under the umbrella of "Phat Fashions".^[7]

Simmons stepped in as Baby Phat's designer, creating a collection based on what she would wear.^[8]

In 2000, Simmons was appointed president and creative director of the Baby Phat brand. In 2001, Baby Phat reported gross revenue earnings of $30 million.^[9] By 2002 Phat Farm and Baby Phat had made a combined profit of $265 million.^[10]

In 2004, the Kellwood Company purchased Phat Fashions for $140 million. Simmons stayed on as President and Creative Director of Baby Phat, expanding the label into a "lifestyle brand" with denim, accessories, jewelry, swimwear, fragrance and lingerie categories.

Later that year, the label expanded to selling a custom Motorola i833 mobile phone sold exclusively at Bloomingdale's and partnered with Vida Shoes International, Inc. to create a shoe line.^[11]

In 2006, she was named president of parent company Phat Fashions. In 2007, Phat fashions partnered with Silver Goose/Kidstreet to create an infant and toddler accessory line.

In 2008 the Kellwood Company sold a majority stake in Phat Fashions to Sun Capital Partners, after which Simmons left Phat Fashions in 2010.

In 2019 Simmons announced she had reacquired the Baby Phat brand and in August 2020 she announced Baby Phat Beauty line curated by her daughters Ming Lee and Aoki Lee.

Philanthropy[]

amFAR[]

Simmons has long been passionate about supporting AIDS research via amfAR (the American Foundations for AIDS Research). Simmons attended Lionel Richie’s performance to benefit amfAR at Cipriani Wall Street in April 2006 in NYC, and then the 'Cinema Against AIDS 2006', the annual event in aid of amfAR at Le Moulin de Mougins during the 59th International Cannes Film Festival in May 2006.

Rush Philanthropic[]

In addition, Simmons is instrumental at the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation, serving on the Board of Directors and as the host of the 2011 Annual ‘Art for Life’ Fundraiser in the Hamptons. This event raised money for the RUSH Philanthropic charity that supports arts programs for inner city kids. Grammy-winning singer Jennifer Hudson performed before a star-studded audience filled with famous faces, including Mary J. Blige, Taraji P. Henson, Star Jones, and LaLa Anthony. Hip hop violinist Miri Ben-Ari also kept guests entertained throughout the evening.^[12]

Hetrick Martin Institute – Harvey Milk School[]

Since 2009 Simmons has hosted the annual red carpet gala celebration supporting Hetrick-Martin and its tribute to gay rights activist, Harvey Milk. According to its mission statement, HMI, home of New York's Harvey Milk High School, "believes all young people, regardless of sexual orientation or identity, deserve a safe and supportive environment in which to achieve their full potential. Hetrick-Martin creates this environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth between the ages of 12 and 21 and their families."^[13]

Simmons is also a supporter of The G&P Foundation and Keep a Child Alive.

The Kimora Lee Simmons Scholarship Fund[]

Simmons has a long history of philanthropy establishing and sponsoring programs at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in NYC and the Fashion Institute for Design and Merchandising (FIDM) in LA. Simmons personally donated one million dollars of her own money to students pursuing careers in fashion. Speaking to FIT students in 2014, Simmons said, “I’m from St. Louis, Missouri, for those of you that may not know, and growing up in St. Louis, the fashion industry always felt so far away, like millions of miles away,” she said. “I always knew that I wanted to be a part of it, but I never really imagined how to make that happen for myself, and I imagine that’s the case for maybe a lot of you.”^[14]

The Unmentionables[]

Named Global Ambassador for non-profit group ‘The Unmentionables’ in 2016,^[15] Simmons and her family have done extensive work to support refugees and in-crisis migrant women and children fleeing violence and natural disasters. Simmons has worked to provide refugees protection from exploitation and trafficking, utilizing her business acumen and passion for empowering others while becoming a powerful voice for human rights.

Simmons and her family traveled to Texas to help with organization’s relief efforts following Hurricane Harvey in Summer 2017. She also has helped to fund the distribution of reusable hygienic products and feminine supplies. In Summer 2018, Simmons-Leissner traveled with her family to Greece to contribute efforts to migrant and refugee families, providing training, supplies and education to the refugee community as they entered Europe.^[16]

UN Women[]

In 2018 Simmons joined The Global Innovation Coalition for Change (GICC) in partnership with UN Women to drive industry-wide change and advance women and girls in innovation, technology and entrepreneurship. She currently serves as a Global Innovator for Change as an active supporter for gender equality in the workplace and as addressed the UN Women and GICC groups for the launch of its Gender Innovation Principles in September 2018 and of its “She Innovates” call to action on International Women’s Day in March 2019.

Freedom Shield Foundation[]

Simmons and her family pledged their support to Freedom Shield Foundation in 2019, an organization which rescue thousands of women and children from human trafficking and provide advanced trauma care to the survivors whom we rescue. They also provide training and resources to those involved in the fight against trafficking both nationally and internationally.

Personal life[]

Kimora Lee Perkins married Russell Simmons in December 1998. They have two daughters, Ming Lee Simmons (born January 2000) and Aoki Lee Simmons (born August 2002). The couple separated in 2006 and later divorced.

Simmons was in a relationship with actor and former model Djimon Hounsou. In May 2009, Simmons gave birth to their son Kenzo Lee Hounsou. Their relationship ended in 2012.

In February 2014, Simmons confirmed that she had married Tim Leissner, a former Goldman Sachs banker convicted for his involvement in the 1Malaysia Development Berhad scandal.^[17][18] Leissner allegedly personally stole some $200 million from 1MDB.^[19] Simmons gave birth in April 2015 to their son, Wolfe Lee Leissner.^[20]

Simmons went back to school in 2017 to complete her business degree, announcing her graduation from the University of Hartford in June 2018, the same week as her eldest daughter, Ming Lee, graduated from high school. Mother and daughter celebrated their achievement together.^[21]

In January 2020 Kimora adopted 10 year old Gary Lee, making her a mother of five.

Media[]

Television[]

In 1998 Simmons took on her first TV personality role, hosting ‘One World Music Beat’.^[22] In 2004 she hosted the syndicated talkshow, ‘Life and Style,’ for Sony Pictures Television, which filmed in front of a live studio audience. Past hosts include Tracee Ellis Ross, Gisele Bündchen, Marcia Cross and more. Kimora also took part in several specials for VH1 titled ‘Uncut New York Fashion Week’ and ‘Party Fabulous.’

In 2003 Simmons served as a judge on Season 1 of America’s Next Top Model, alongside Tyra Banks, and also judged the franchise’s ‘Germany’s Next Top Model’ as well.

Showcasing Simmons' life as a businesswoman who balances her family life, she was the focal star of The Style Network’s top-rated show “Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane,” which also syndicated on E! Television Network and viewed in more than 200 global territories.

This first-of-its-kind reality show debuted in 2007 and lasted for seven seasons with tremendous popularity. Simmons herself served as Producer for 4 episodes in 2007 and then as Executive Producer for another 10 episodes between 2009-2010.

“Kimora: House of Fab” debuted in 2013 in tandem with Simmons' tenure at JustFab. She also served as Executive Producer for each episode which aired on the Style Network.

Broadway[]

Kimora Lee Simmons produced Def Poetry Jam, on Broadway for which she won a Tony Award in 2003 for a “Special Theatrical Event.”^[23]

Book[]

Her 2006 book “Fabulosity: What It Is and How to Get It” was published by Harper Entertainment and garnered strong reviews as a lifestyle manual from such publications as the Washington Post and Boston Globe.

Appearances[]

Simmons has appeared in multiple roles in television and films including Beauty Shop, Brown Sugar, and Waist Deep. She has also appeared in music videos for Ginuwine, Usher and Jay-Z and in video games.

References[]

External links[]

• Official website
• Kimora Lee Simmons blog posts on JustFab
• Kimora Lee Simmons at IMDb
• James/ Kimora Lee Simmons at Fashion Model Directory
• Kimora Lee Simmons at FMD
• Simmons' interview at OSMOZ