House of Fab: Our Shoes Are the Sh*t!

From: Style Network

On last night’s episode of Kimora: House of Fab, Kimora and the crew showed just how much work goes into making it all happen.  Kimora was preparing for an OK! Magazine shoot and the staff was tasked with making a video with the expectation that they’d be able to make it go viral on the internet.  They were split up into teams then sent on their way to see what they could make happen.  Hilarity ensued.

Johnny is, by far, the stand-out character on the show -- besides Kimora, of course.  He’s funny, bold and colorful, a recipe for reality television success.  I love the way the show gives viewers a look at how much thought goes into every single aspect of the business.  I think it’s important for the public to see that, because it doesn’t all just magically come together.  I think it’s also important to realize that we are most likely only seeing even a small portion of what it really takes!  This is business, and businesses are in business to make money.  So, they can’t just throw caution to the wind and let the chips fall where they may.  Everything from color schemes to material to lighting, angles…all of it…matters. 

Kimora's House of Fab Debuts

I never doubted that she could do it again, but I had no idea she'd do it like this.  Wednesday night, Kimora Lee Simmons threw down the gauntlet for other reality television series with Kimora: House of Fab.  Just as she promised, the show gives viewers an inside look at the creative process at online fashion behemoth Just Fabulous where she's President and Creative Director.  It is a hit! 

Kimora prefers to call the show a docu-drama and I agree. It's less like a traditional reality tv series (no beatdowns, no screaming matches between drunken, far too old to be behaving that way women, no idle chatter about dumb sh*t, etc.) and more like a short-form documentary in series form.  I love home designer Jeff Lewis's Flipping Out series and Kimora: House of Fab has that same organic, fresh feel.  When I watch Jeff's show, as much as I'm entertained, it's amazingly interesting to see how he puts his genius to work.  Kimora: House of Fab handles its content very similarly and I'm hooked!

Kimora Returns!

Tonight's the night!  The premiere of Kimora: House of Fab!  I only vaguely remember the premiere of Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane, but I don't think I'll ever forget this one!  The first episode of Life in the Fab Lane is a classic!  It was like nothing we'd ever seen before (lol) and I suspect House of Fab will be the same.  It airs at 9pm E/P and I'm going to do my best to be in front of the television, but my dvr is set for the full season!

And, here's a bonus!  Just Fabulous is giving one lucky winner a year of free shoes for posting a picture here of them and some friends watching the premiere!  So, make them count, spread the word and happy viewing! --Sugar

Kimora Lee Simmons Flips it Again!

Guess who's back?!  On Wednesday, January 23rd, Kimora Lee Simmons will take over the reality tv airwaves as she fashions a new nook for herself in that oftentimes unseemly corner of entertainment television.  Kimora: House of Fab promises a look at the inner workings of online fashion powerhouse JustFab.com where Kimora is President and Creative Director.  Kimora says this about the new show:

“This is an office environment with more of an ensemble. It is more like The Office or Ugly Betty. It is a team of people at all times, with lots of coming and going. It is less of my kids and my personal side.”

I'm a little perturbed that Kenzo Lee appearances will be scarce. Afterall, we haven't even had a chance to hear his little voice!  But, while I truly admire Kimora for her skills as a mother in the face of her demanding workload, it is her business acumen that is a true marvel. 

Is Kellwood Under Water?

I figured I'd ramp things back up here ahead of the holiday buying rush, but damn, nobody's checking for Baby Phat.  At all.  I did a Google search and nothing but a bunch of junk returns and old links to the brand's heyday when Kimora was still at the helm.  I did a Google search for Kellwood and oh my have things gotten interesting over there. 

First, in my neglect here, I missed the news that Jill Granoff, former CEO of Kenneth Cole, is now in our pal Michael Kramer's old job.  She's already shaking things up and I have a feeling that there aren't enough fingers to plug the dam over there.  Hilariously, I believe Kellwood is glad that most of the fashion trade press has pretty much left them to their devices while they "reorganize".  But, the St. Louis media keeps right on reporting what's happening.  Like this, Report:  Kellwood Co. Considering IPO for Vince Brand in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.  Let's discuss.  Shall we? We shall.

Is This the End?

Are we still boycotting? Of COURSE we are!  The holiday season is upon us and I think it's only fitting that I ramp things back up here.  Let's hope this is finally the end for the brand we all knew and loved for so long.  It will be bittersweet, but it's time.  Kellwood, you guys lasted longer than I expected, but then I'm sure I've lasted longer than you all thought I would as well.  Teehee  That's how mutual loathing works out sometime.  Funny. 

Walmart (primary home to most Baby Phat products these days) has layaway again and I feel like I'm very far behind here. I should have been screaming from the internet rooftops weeks ago.  I'm sure a lot of people have already purchased those shoddy threads.  I wonder if they ever pause to think about how expensive and how much more superior in quality Baby Phat used to be?  I hope so.  Anyway, I'm off to play tennis and get a facial.  Research and...information sharing...later.  I know you guys are excited, Kellwood.  Me too. --Sugar

Penney's Michael Kramer Wants His Old Thing Back?

Michael Kramer, former CEO of Kellwood Company

I haven't blogged here much lately.  Gosh, it seems like I've been writing that more and more lately and that certainly wasn't my intention.  But, things have been a little crazy and I haven't been able to give this enough focus.  I decided to check the stats here and lo and behold, what do I spy with my little Baby Phat hating eye?  Looks like our old pal, Michael Kramer, forrmer Chief Executive Office at Kellwood Company, the goons who own Baby Phat and who so disrespectfully ended the relationship with Kimora Lee Simmons, can't get his old place of business off his mind.

Imagine my shock when I saw this in the stats?:

(Click to enlarge)

Maybe he knows his days are numbered at J.C. Penney, what with the way he and the new crew have f*cked things up over there., and he's hoping to be able to weasel his way back in to Kellwood somehow.  Seems he'd have enough on his plate at Penney's and not enough time to spend Googling a little blog dedicated to showing just how greedy and nasty they are at Kellwood Company.  But, maybe not and maybe that's why Penney's is sinking like the Titanic.  It could also be dumb statements like this from Penney's new COO, Michael Kramer when asked about the decision to do away with the coupons that working mothers and grandmothers have come to depend upon from J.C. Penney. (This statement after a dismal earnings report from Penney's):

"We did not realize how deep some of the customers were into this," noted COO Michael Kramer about couponing. "We've got to wean them off this and educate our consumers."

"Wean them off"?  Such a fool.  So out of touch.  So just...awful.  In this horrible economy, you do away with coupons at a store that is known for a coupon, at a time when whole reality shows are being built around...couponing?  Do yourself a favor and read this whole Huffington Post article from May about these morons -- Kramer and the new CEO at Penney's, Ron Johnson.  Two absolute idiots.  If Johnson is taking his direction from Kramer, we can all pretty much predict what's next...goodbye Penney's.  Hey, maybe Penney's and Baby Phat will officially close on the same day because Penney's is really plummeting quicker than I'm sure anybody could have ever predicted.  When you bring new people in, they are supposed to move things in a positive direction, not straight to bankruptcy court.