Even though her husband Tim Leissner is in a slew of trouble after being accused of money laundering and stealing from a Malaysian sovereign wealth fund, it doesn’t look like it’s affected Kimora Lee Simmons Leissner’s focus any.
Because on Friday, March 8, the former model and current businesswoman announced the return of Baby Phat, the fashion brand that was everywhere in the early 2000s and worn by multiple celebrities.
Kimora Lee Simmons is relaunching her fashion brand Baby Phat with her daughters. (Photo: Getty Images, Matt Winkelmeyer)
The brand was also an offshoot of her then-husband Russell Simmons‘ menswear label Phat Farm, which was under his company Phat Fashions. In its heyday, Baby Phat reached sales north of $1 billion.
In a recent interview, Leissner said she recently brought back the brand, which will be re-released this spring, but kept what she paid for it under wraps. The 43-year-old also announced the relaunch will include her two daughters Ming & Aoki Lee Simmons, ages 19 and 16 respectively.
“We had to hunt around to find it,” Leissner told WWD.
In 2004 the brand was sold to Kellwood, and from 2000 to 2010 Leissner served as the company’s creative director and eventually became the president. She left Baby Phat after it began to suffer financially.
The new line, she said, will have a touch of its “retro” designs coupled with a 2019 look, and it’ll be a “mainstream sportswear” collection geared towards millennials.
“We’re working fast and furiously and have a lot up our sleeves,” she said. “It’s perfect timing for this. Over the past several years, we realized the brand resonates with people and lives deep in their souls.”
Other big brands from yesteryear that made a recent comeback include Von Dutch, which became popular again once Kylie Jenner posted a photo of herself wearing one if its jackets.
Juicy Couture, made popular by Jennifer Lopez, also came back last year.
Additionally, FUBU, started by “Shark Tank’s” Daymond John, Keith Perrin, Carlton Brown, and Alexander Martin, relaunched on March 1, and its items can be purchased online and at the Century 21 store in lower Manhattan.
