Force of Beauty

You have to do yourself a favor and read Devorah Rose's Social Life Magazine feature article on Kimora Lee Simmons. It's one of the best articles I've read, of the many that have been published over the past several months, about Kimora. Take this for instance (from the article):

Do you recall the tale of how Athena sprung from the cranium of Zeus? Well, if a tsunami were birthed from a volcano in a similar manner, then imprisoned in the body of a Disney princess, the result would be the tumultuous and beautiful predicament that is Kimora Lee Simmons.

A fan-TASTIC introduction! Rose talks about Kimora's savvy as a businesswoman, including the fact that she helped the Phat Fashions empire gross over $850,000,000 in retail sales before moving on, and Kimora's present and future projects. I had to type all of the zeroes in order to drive the point home about the sales numbers. Over 850 MILLION dollars! Is there any wonder why she doesn't ever sleep?!

Head over to Kimora's website, http://www.kls.com/ and read the full article and take a look at the photographs taken during the shoot for the spread. What I think isn't emphasized nearly enough in these articles is how young Kimora is considering she's doing all of this ass kicking! She has barely scratched the surface of the plethora of ideas and possibilities brewing inside that head of hers. It is a revolution that I'm so pleased to be witnessing. And, I absolutely meant revolution. Evolution isn't a word quite strong enough to describe what this woman is about to do to the fashion world. You'd be wise to keep a close eye on her too. Who knows when we'll see something this fantastic again. Super nova. --Sugar

Djimon and Kimora Add to Mandela Legacy

Kimora and her hubby Djimon have a lot going on this week as they criss cross South Africa continuing the great work that they are all too well-known for. They are taking part in the wonderful celebrations happening in honor of former South African President Nelson Mandela's 93rd birthday. Last year, while attending the World Cup festivities, the gorgeous couple took some time to lend their hands to the Mandela Legacy Canvas...literally. That's them adding their hand prints to the canvas back in September in the picture above. From the Times Live:

...the canvas carries hand-prints, messages and signatures of 67 celebrities from all over the world. It will be auctioned on Saturday to raise funds for the Nelson Mandela Foundation and mayoral charities.

Simmons was flown to the country by the City of Cape Town as a VIP guest at the auction. She will host a Destiny magazine party at Kenny Kunene's ZAR club in Cape Town on Saturday after the auction. Simmons features on the cover of this month's issue of Destiny.

Fantastic, right?! Right! Follow Kimora on her Twitter Account, @OfficialKimora where she gives details about the trip each day. She says she also plans to attend Cape Town Fashion Week events, so definitely look for some great pictures and descriptions at KLS.com in the coming days.

I think this is so great. Kimora puts so much good energy out into the universe that she can only look forward to even bigger things coming her way. These rats meanwhile, can only look forward to making preparations to make the announcement that Baby Phat, as a brand, has become obsolete. The Baby Phat "movement" left the building last August--nearly one year ago. It will never be the same. No respect? No dollars. --Sugar

Toss That Baby Phat Prepaid Visa Card!

Out with the old and in with the new! If you've been carrying around one of those Baby Phat RushCards, cut that up and toss it in the trash. This week, the brand new KLS RushCard was unveiled and it's ready for your shopping, saving and bill-paying pleasure. Check out more on the card here and remember, No Respect? No dollars! Leave all Baby Phat apparel, and those damn Prepaid cards behind. I don't want to see that cat ANYwhere! --Sugar

A Funeral For the Baby Phat Cat

For well over a decade, the Baby Phat cat,based upon Kimora's real cat known as Max who is no longer with us, has been an iconic symbol in the fashion world. When Kimora Lee Simmons came up with the concept, it took hold to the hearts and minds of girls and women the world over and it's permanent position there seemed unquestionable. But, is anything really permanent? Besides, herpes and George Hamilton's tan? Okay, maybe a few more things...but, life is fluid and ever changing and today, I saw another testament to that fact.

Kimora sent this tweet earlier today and when I clicked the link to picture, the next thing I heard was a loud smack! The sound of a hammer on a nail, jetting through wood, sealing some ish. It was another nail in the Baby Phat coffin. Girls have been getting the Baby Phat Cat tattoos for many, many, many years. Just Google it! A lot of them send Kimora pictures via Twitter and I'm sure via other means well before Twitter even existed. Many of these tattoos have no doubt been acquired because the symbol is sexy, but many of those were also no doubt placed on various body parts all over the world simply because these bold individuals wanted to show support for Kimora--of varying levels...

Now, we have this young lady, who is in Russia I believe, getting Kimora's initials tattooed on her body. Oh the sweet joy I felt knowing that this truly is it--the turning point in this saga. The cat who inspired the Baby Phat Cat left us many years ago, but I think it's time to start planning the funeral for the logo (and brand) as well.

There's an old superstition that claims that a cat has 9 lives. The reason for the saying is really interesting and might have been a bit of hope for Kellwood Company, owners of the Baby Phat brand since 2004, but they've driven it to just about 8.5 in that longevity windfall...

So, since the annual Essence Music Festival just wrapped up in New Orleans, let's keep it there with a little New Orleans Jazz Funeral music as we remember the good times we all had watching Baby Phat and Kimora evolve over the years. It's time we leave Baby Phat behind (besides, it's owned by a bunch of scumbags) and move along with Kimora into bigger and better, more mature things. What says that more than the power of her own initials?

Check out the touching moment from tuba player Kerwin James's funeral below. --Sugar

Kimora Does Fashion Police!

Last week, Kimora Lee Simmons sent a tweet saying she was on the way to shoot an episode of E!'s Fashion Police. It aired this past Friday and continues to roll out in other parts of the world and the reviews are in: Kimora, who was sitting in for the absent Giuliana Rancic, was a hit! I think Ms. Joan can find another seat up there on the set for our girl. Let her and Fashion Police know! Check out a clip at this link and check your local listings to find out when the episode might air again in your market. --Sugar