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. 

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.

Baby Phat's Website Goes POOF!

Every time I take my eyes off these idiots, something big happens.  I logged on here last night to take a quick look around when I noticed that there were a few comments awaiting moderation.  One of them blew me away!  It said that the Baby Phat website was gone. Poof!  Exists no more. Vanished into thin air.  Gone.  When I read the comment, I thought, "No way. What is this?" Then, I checked, and it's true! 

This is what you see now when you go to www.babyphat.com:

Click to enlarge

"Check out our new digs."  Gosh, they have no respect for the intelligence of their customers.  Just none.  Who do they think they're fooling?  The "new digs"?  You're in the death throes, and if you think that your customers and those laughing at you from afar don't know that, you are sadly mistaken.

It seems they've worked out some kind of deal to have Macy's host their products solely on their site, but what does this mean? Has Macy's now become part owner?  I'm going to take some time to do some digging this weekend, but I think we can get our black dresses ready because this bitch is about to die. 

I told you fools that this would happen. I told you that you should have handled your thing with Kimora better than you did and we all know that you've been reading.  I have the records to show.  Maybe if you'd just apologized and given Kimora a proper send-off and not tried to treat customers like some damn dummies, even after the initial screw up, you might have been able to save yourselves this embarassment, but you didn't listen to me.  You wanted to convince yourselves that I was just some nut with a laptop.  Ohhhh, but I'm not and it seems that with each passing month, you are having to face that fact more and more, huh? Well, kiss my ass and get to typing up that press release and strategizing how you're going to announce that Baby Phat is no more.  How long now? About 6 to 9 months?

I'm glad that Kimora has moved on and that she's doing even bigger and better things because Kellwood Company is a brand killer.  You guys suck and you get exactly what you deserve. --Sugar

Kimora Joins HIGHLY Exclusive Club

"One millllion followers."

When I started following Kimora Lee Simmons on Twitter, after I'd been following an impostor for a little while, I think she had about 90,000 followers.  I remember thinking, "Gosh, she should have far more supporters than this on this thing."  If my memory also serves me correctly, I started following her not very long before she and Baby Phat parted ways.  Maybe a few months before.  I think Baby Phat had over 100,000 followers at the time.  My how things have changed.

Today, Kimora broke the highly coveted one million follower milestone. From a January 16, 2012 TechVibes.com article:

According to my research, there are nearly 700 Twitter users with one million or more followers—691 at the time of writing this, although someone new enters the club about twice a week these days. The most recently added member is actress Christina Applegate, and rapper Lupe Fiasco looks poised to be number 692. This club represents about 0.00003% of total users, so it's a very exclusive membership.

 Hell yeah it's exclusive! Not even a full percentage point. Not even a half percentage point.  It is, indeed, the sh*t.  Kimora interacts with her followers quite often every week, so hit that "Follow" button and watch her work her magic!  I checked Baby Phat's Twitter to see how they're holding up....not good. Barely over 90,000. Just stagnate, except for losing thousands of followers since Kimora left.  What idiots these guys are.  You should have never allowed Kimora to get away Kellwood.  I've been going easy on you in recent months as I've been spending more time promoting Kimora's other ventures, namely JustFabulous, which is launching Avril Lavigne's Abbey Dawn Collection tomorrow and Shinto Clinical by Kimora Lee Simmons -- her new skin care line which launched only weeks ago on QVC.  But, you are still on my radar and the day that you announce that Baby Phat is going out of business will be one of the happiest days of my life.  And, let's be honest here, we all know that day is not very far away. --Sugar

Kimora's Pre Baby Phat Influence

Stylist.com has named Kimora Lee Simmons one of the 25 most influential Black models of all time and I couldn't agree more.  Dana Oliver writes:

Before Chanel Iman appeared on the covers of American Vogue and Italian Elle, and before Jourdan Dunn became the first black model to walk Prada's runway in over a decade, women like Donyale Luna, Naomi Sims and Beverly Johnson strutted and posed confidently in the face of adversity.

In honor of Black History Month, we take a look back at 25 African-American models who have helped to reshape the standard of beauty.

Baby Phat Goes Gypsy Chic

I haven't used those words here in...forever! Baby Phat. Kellwood trash anymore.  This is why, finding a tweet with the picture above makes me warm and tingly all over.  It's from a show out of the United Kingdom called Big Fat Gypsy Weddings on Channel 4.  And um, I didn't blur the guy's face.  He must have requested that his face not be shown in such close proximity to such an atrocity for all the world to see.

It's not a Kimora Lee Simmons design. Of that you can be sure.  But, I did a quick check of Baby Phat's Twitter and they don't seem to be denying that they put it together, sooooo what does that leave us with?  Hell, is it impossible that they designed it? Nope.  Especially when Walmart won't even let them in the door.  Gotta get those coins how you can and lord knows they have don't have any shame in their game.  Will they admit to designing it is the question?  I'd say not. 

Check out the slideshow of the blushing bride at this link paying extra attention to the little cats along the tiara. Meeeow! --Sugar

300 Dollar Cream Dreams

I don't think Kimora Lee Simmons will ever cease to amaze me!  Wednesday, was the unofficial start to Fall 2012 New York Fashion Week, but there were some pre-start shows and presentations and Twitter was all abuzz. So, I decided that I'd push any Shinto Clinical or Just Fabulous posts out to the masses with a great new tool that I found.  What I wasn't prepared for was this woman going on a KLS.com blitzkrieg of information!  By the time I finally stumbled out of the house and headed for the gym last night, I felt like I'd put in some hours at a job!

When I got in my car, I thought to myself, "What just happened?"  There was an article in OK! Magazine. There was an article in Juicy Magazine Online. There was an article and competition announced on Babble.com and a couple other things that I didn't even touch in my email from Just Fabulous!  It was fantastic! 

Patience, Grasshopper

Ah yes, the wait.  Some of you have expressed a little...anxiousness for the second question in the Shinto Clinical pre-launch contest.  Have ye no faith?  Kimora Lee Simmons doesn't do most things in a "standard" order, so why should this be any different?  What would be the fun in that?  Keep checking that Facebook page and be sure to tell your friends to go there and LIKE it as well.  And, be ready!  It will happen and hopefully, the collection will be all mine yours. --Sugar

Shinto Clinical Featured in NYLON Mag

From lashhaven.com.au

Some months ago, I was chatting with one of my pals on Twitter when we started discussing eyelashes and ways to enhance them or to actually grow some new ones.  I expressed my disdain for some new "by prescription only" product that claimed it could help regrow lash hairs because I try to avoid medicines as much as possible.  A medicine to regrow eyelash hairs is something I absolutely would never use.  Besides, mine are very thick and healthy, bless gawt!  So, I don't need it anyway.

But, for those of us who do struggle with a desire for thicker longer lashes, and there are many of us, here comes Kimora Lee Simmons with a solution that does not require a prescription.  Shinto Clinical's LASH is a "clinically proven eyelash growth enhancer" and it's already getting accolades. 

From the Shinto Clinical Twitter page earlier today (click to enlarge):

I love the guy (?) all snuggled up with the tube of LASH in bed!  Pick up a copy of the February edition of NYLON Magazine and check out the full write-up.  I have a feeling we have a lot more like this to look forward to in the coming weeks and months.  I can't wait!  Baby who? --Sugar

Think Fast!

Alright, we've been waiting all week for that second pre-launch contest question on the Shinto Clinical Facebook page and at 9:30pm Thursday, nothing yet.  Which can only mean one thing...you'd better be on your A game tomorrow because I have a feeling that question is going to be posted with little time for casual pondering and perusing for a response.  So, snuggle on those thinking caps tonight and get a good night's rest so you'll be ready for the quick draw. Good luck!  I can't wait to see your responses! --Sugar

February Means Shinto Clinical!

It's February and you know what that means!  Well, of course it's Black History Month, but it's also Shinto Clinical Month!  In just 23 days, Kimora Lee Simmons, uber mogul, will burst onto the scene at QVC and come into homes all over this country with hope in a jar -- a SMOOTH ANSWER for a few of life's woes.  I'm not sure what time Kimora will appear on the network on February 24th, but be on the lookout for new details on the Shinto Clinical Facebook page, on the @ShintoClinical Twitter page and at KLS.com and @OfficialKimora on Twitter.  That's four different ways to stay informed, five including this site, so don't miss the boat! Get those fingers clicking!

And, don't forget, there's a great pre-launch promotional happening right now! Shinto Clinical is giving away the full 9 item collection if you have the skills to give the best SMOOTH ANSWER to a hypothetical question or scenario found on www.facebook.com/ShintoClinical.  They've already named one winner and there will be another winner this week and each of the next two weeks as well. But, you have to LIKE the Shinto Clinical Facebook page and check in there often in order to be able to enter to win.  Good luck! --Sugar

Kimora Lee Simmons Gets Trained!

Another picture from Kimora's visit to QVC studios for launch day orientation.


In about twenty-five days, the masses will get a first little taste of Shinto Clinical by Kimora Lee Simmons.  On February 24th, Kimora will take to the airwaves at the mega at home shopping network, QVC.  That's where her SMOOTH ANSWER Anti-Wrinkle & Moisture Boost Hydrator will become the first item in the 9 piece collection available for retail.

Last week, Kimora paid a visit to the QVC studios for an orientation session ahead of the big day.  From the sounds of things over at KLS.com, the visit was very fruitful and motivating.  Head over there and check out her write-up about the trip.

And, if you haven't yet, be sure to follow @ShintoClinical on Twitter and LIKE the Facebook page! Do it and you might win one of the three remaining Shinto Clinical collections being given away in a great pre-launch promotional.  The first winner in the four week giveaway has been announced on the Shinto Clinical Facebook page and I'm sure she is ecstatic!  So, give it a shot and let me know if you win!  Good luck! : ) --Sugar

QVC Welcomes Kimora for Shinto Launch Prep

From www.twitter.com/OfficialKimora

Less than a month to the big launch of Kimora Lee Simmons's new skin care line, Shinto Clinical, on the mega at home shopping channel, QVC (brick and mortar store roll-out shortly afterwards).  Thursday, she sent this tweet which included a picture (above) of her in the QVC studios, apparently doing prep for her February 24th appearance on the network to launch the new line. So exciting!

And, check your clock.  If it's not 12pm Eastern time on 1/27 yet, you still have time to give your SMOOTH ANSWER to this week's question in the pre-launch promotional.  The full Shinto Clinical collection is up for grabs this week and over the next three weeks, so adjust that thinking cap and get to typing!  And, breaking news.  You should breathe a big sigh of relief that I've decided I'm not going to enter.  It's none of your business why, you nosy thing.  Just be happy and use this to your advantage. : )  Peace out and good luck. --Sugar

Kimora's Mommy Mogul Tips for Beyonce

Kimora, Djimon and son Kenzo Lee on vacation in St. Bart's. [Celebuzz]

As the world eagerly awaits a first glimpse of Jay Z and Beyonce's new little bundle of joy, Blue Ivy, the gifts, congratulations and of course, advice, continue to pour in.  Who better to give Beyonce advice about how to transition into being a mommy mogul than the queen of mommy mogulness, Kimora Lee Simmons? 

During a chat with MTV News, Kimora offered this:

"I always tell people I'm not the glamorous Hollywood mom," said Simmons, who continues to expand her own fashion brand to include the Shinto Clinical skin-care line. "I'm not the kind of celebrity that lives in the spotlight. I'm famous from work that I do. I've always been in the business and raised my family in the business so it's like a second nature for me. I think that's the key is striking a balance. For me it's always about prioritizing."

What's Simmons' advice for new celeb moms looking to follow her lead? "I think it's about choosing what you want and going after that. Do the best you can, but you don't have to be Superwoman."

Good stuff.  Check out the rest of the article here and be sure to follow Kimora on her Twitter and follow Shinto Clinical, her soon to be launched skin care line (February 24th on QVC), on Twitter and on Facebook.  Especially on Facebook because there's a great pre-launch campaign underway and you can win the entire collection if you are smooooooth enough.  Check it out. --Sugar

Shinto Clinical: Win it Before You Can Buy It



Shinto Clinical: Smooth Answer


In just over a month, Kimora Lee Simmons will be able to add one more bullet point to her list of accomplishments -- purveyor of fine skin care products.  Her new line, Shinto Clinical, will launch on QVC on February 24th. It will arrive in retail stores Nordstrom and Fred Segal a short while later. 

BUT, you can win some before you can even BUY some!  You can find the details on the Shinto Clinical Twitter page, but here's what you have to do.  Like the Shinto Clinical Facebook page and check it at least weekly, starting today, January 23rd, for a new chance to win the full, 9 piece Shinto Clinical collection.  If you give a Smooth Answer to the week's question or scenario, the prize is yours!

Now, here's the kicker:


From www.twitter.com/OfficialKimora (Click to enlarge)


Kimora is choosing the winners.  So, make them good and get to it!  I had originally planned to swoop down and bring home the prize on the first day, but...I think I'll swoop down later in the week.  Watch out.  --Sugar

Do You Have a SMOOTH ANSWER?

The lead-up to the launch of Kimora Lee Simmons's new skin care line, Shinto Clinical, is heating up by the hour!  A short while ago, this was posted to the Shinto Clinical Twitter feed:


From www.twitter.com/ShintoClinical (Click to enlarge)

In true KLS fashion, Shinto Clinical is covering all bases before the official 2.24.12 launch date.  Over the next four weeks, anyone who has "liked" the Shinto Clinical Facebook page will have a chance to win the complete Shinto Clinical by Kimora Lee Simmons skin care collection, all for the trouble of giving a "Smooth Answer" to a hypothetical question or scenario.  It's a very generous prize.  So, don't sit on your duffs and not enter, then beg her for samples once this rocket leaves the station.

Check out the rules for the contest here at KLS.com and be sure to follow the Shinto Clinical Twitter and like the Facebook page so you can give it a shot!  Though, it might be pointless, because I'm definitely going to enter this one and I play to WIN! --Sugar

Kimora's Smooth Answer

A few more little nuggets of information from the Shinto Clinical Twitter account today:


From www.twitter.com/ShintoClinical (click to enlarge)


I like! I like!  Moisture and cleanliness is essential for healthy, beautiful skin and I have no doubt that Smooth Answer will be awesome.  The devil is in the details.  If you missed it, check out the Women's Wear Daily article at KLS.com for more about Kimora's vision for Shinto Clinical and to get a preview of what's included in the line.  Get ready!!!  --Sugar

Kimora's Shinto Clinical: Official Launch Date

Image of Shinto Clinical products posted at www.twitter.com/ShintoClinical


The world is always ready to receive talent with open arms.  Very often it does not know what to do with genius. --Oliver Wendell Holmes

I am extremely careful about "heaping praise" upon any single individual, because we humans are so prone to screwing up.  But, when it is due and when it is unmistakable, the universe leaves me with no other choice.  Kimora Lee Simmons is a genius.  Let me repeat that.  Kimora Lee Simmons is a genius.

Let me explain something to you.  What we are all witnessing a 36 year old woman do, and having done since her early 20s, is nothing short of genius.  Nothing.  She is fashion.  But, Kimora Lee Simmons is also business.  It is almost too much for my senses to bear.  It's one thing to watch a documentary or read a biography or some such about a genius who once was.  It's quite another to be alive and present to witness all of this in action.  Sure, there are other celebrities and personalities with clothing lines and skincare lines and reality shows and books and such, but there is nobody doing it with as much passion and care and thought as Kimora Lee Simmons.  Nobody. And, I dare anyone to name one other.