eXcapeyourmatriX: Kimora Kimora Kimora!

Fabulosity:
Profile of Kimora Lee Simmons

Written by: Chenita “Infinite Apex” Dickerson
oneandanoi@hotmail.com

Taurean goddess (yes, this is my opinion) Kimora Lee Simmons, born Kimora Lee Perkins, entered this world on May 4, 1975. She was raised and parented by her African-American (Black) dad Vernon Whitlock Jr. and her half-Japanese, half-Korean mom Joanne Kyoko Perkins in St. Louis, Missouri. She was often teased for her height and Asian features and was often called a “chinky giraffe”. Despite being labeled a “chinky giraffe”, she emerged as a fabulous business and fashion professional, supermodel, actress, published author, wife, and mom all to the tune of an estimated $9,400,000 a year! In this case, success is the best revenge.

Kimora’s mom enrolled her in modeling classes at the age of eleven and by age thirteen, she was discovered by Marie Christine Kollock for Paris Agency Glamour and sent to Paris. At age thirteen, as well, she was awarded a contract for modeling under Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld. She was six foot tall by age fourteen. Kimora graduated from Lutheran High School North in St. Louis Missouri. At age fifteen and with no driver’s license, Kimora purchased her first car, a BMW, which she crashed, injuring herself and needing forty stitches in her face. Along her modeling career, she met and is still best friends with Talk Show host and supermodel Tyra Banks, who is Godmother to at least one of her children.

Despite being labeled a “chinky giraffe”, she emerged as a fabulous business and fashion professional, super model, actress, published author, wife and mom all to the tune of an estimated $9,400,000 a year!

Kimora Lee Simmons is a mother to three children; two of her children are daughters with ex-husband Russell Simmons, former owner of Phat Fashions. Russell encouraged Kimora to go out with him by sending flower arrangements to her agency that were so big it took two delivery men to carry them. Russell Simmons and Kimora Lee were married in 1998 and their first daughter, Ming Lee Simmons, was born in 2000. Two years later, the couple had a second daughter, Aoki Lee Simmons. Despite being business partners with Baby Phat, the couple separated in March 2006 and finalized their divorce earlier this year in January of 2009; however, they remain friends and business colleagues. Kimora held the position of Creative Director for Baby Phat (a division of Phat Fashions), but after Russell Simmons sold Phat Fashions and stepped down as CEO, the new owners promoted Kimora to Creative Director and CEO of Phat Fashions where she remains today. Mrs. Simmons’ latest edition to her family, a son named Kenzo Lee Hounson, was born this year in May of 2009 with her new husband, actor and model Djimon Hounsou (Blood Diamond, The Island) whom she began dating in March 2007. Both of Kimora’s daughters are models for the children’s division of Baby Phat Fashions. Little Kenzo appeared, debuting as the youngest child to ever grace a runway, during the 2010 Fashion Week at the end of the Baby Phat collection debut. Being held by his mom Kimora and with his two sisters walking on each side, he was shown to the world. Kimora was filming a new season of her reality show, “Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane”, while preparing for the Fashion week show.