Kimora Lee Simmons has repurchased her iconic streetwear brand Baby Phat and plans to relaunch the line later this year. The fashion designer, entrepreneur and former model announced the news on Friday (March 8) in a press release.
Kimora’s two daughters with Hip Hop mogul Russell Simmons — 19-year-old Ming and 16-year-old Aoki — will also play integral roles in the brand’s relaunch. Ming expressed her excitement in an Instagram post.
“Celebrating #internationalwomensday with a very special announcement!” she wrote in the caption. “Baby Phat has always been a brand for women. We have always celebrated every shape, every size, every race, every background; every woman. In 2019, we’re bringing it back for ALL of us… Because we’re worth celebrating. @BabyPhat.”
In an interview with Bloomberg TV, Kimora explained why the Baby Phat relaunch is paramount.
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“It’s very important that you have women on both sides — women as the end user, women as the creator,” she said. “We need to take more of that responsibility and own it.”
Baby Phat’s original parent, Phat Fashion, was founded by Russell over 25 years ago, while Kimora served as Baby Phat’s creative director from 2000 to 2010. In 2004, the company was acquired by Kellwood Co. for $140 million.
During its heyday, Baby Phat was Phat Fashion’s most successful ventures with sales in excess of $1 billion.
Although Kimora wouldn’t disclose any details surrounding the purchase, she did admit to WWD she had to “hunt around to find it.”
