Why Are We Here?
The fall 2006 shows began Friday under the tents in New York's Bryant Park. A little after 9 p.m. that night, a mob of people waited behind a nylon rope for the doors to the Baby Phat show to open. If you scan the crowd, you'll notice that there aren't a lot of editors from the mainstream fashion publications. They don't come to this show anymore because it is well-known for being a chaotic mosh pit. And generally, the clothes are really, really bad.
The house is never open on time so that provides ample opportunity for a large crowd to gather. The folks at Baby Phat, which is overseen by Kimora Lee Simmons, like to create chaos because they seem to think that's good for the brand. (Kimora, by the way, always talks about having been Karl Lagerfeld's muse, but we have yet to find any evidence of her holding a muse-like position.)
Kimora Lee Simmons with husband Russell (Reuters)
As you stand patiently behind the little rope you can watch Kimora's people engage in the old Studio 54 trick of picking and choosing a handful of people to drag though the crowd for entry. They make a big deal about the people, as if they're celebrities, and so you search your memory trying to figure out who they could be. An obscure rapper? Some starlet from the WB, now the CW network? If Kathy Griffin is a D-list celebrity, these folks are somewhere in the L,M,N,O,P section of the alphabet.
Baby Phat hires outside professionals to organize their shows, but can't seem to get out of the way and let them do their job as efficiently as possible. At one point, a publicist is berated by someone representing the winner of "America's Next Top Model." (We'd put her in the appendix to fame. Or maybe in the footnotes.) Apparently if Miss Top Model isn't given a front row seat, then she's going to leave.
Buh-bye!
When we all finally get in and the show starts, the models strut out on a catwalk some four feet off the ground. Very 1980s retro. From where we're sitting, it's possible to look up and see the models' underwear. We suppose we should be thankful that at least they're wearing some.
We're not here for the clothes. They won't even be produced. We're here for the spectacle. We're here for the gawdy extravaganza. In interviews, Kimora loves to show off her Versace china, her collection of Louis Vuitton bags, her shoes, her clothes, her wealth, her money, her money, her money. We heard that recently an acquaintance of hers in the fashion industry sent her a letter that was supposed to be a gentle intervention. It suggested that her bragging had gotten out of hand and that perhaps she should try and sound not quite so full of herself. Soon after, she was alledgedly heard telling an interviewer "how blessed" she was to be in her position.
The show ended as usual with Simmons walking out with her daughters. The two little girls have been props in her advertising campaigns and serve as accessories for Kimora's runway bows. A colleague noted wryly that the girls made particularly nice accessories and also could be converted into overnight bags.
By Robin Givhan |
February 5, 2006; 10:43 AM ET
New York
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Posted by: Washington, DC | February 7, 2006 7:41 AM
Ha! I love it. So which America's Next Top Model winner was it? Seriously - that's probably the only person I would've recognized at the show. Obscure rapper? Eh. Fashion designer? Double eh? NAIMA? WHERE?!?
Posted by: h3f | February 7, 2006 8:05 AM
That was entirely too vicious - I loved it! I've always suspected that Kimora was more tack than tact. But not being a true fashion insider, I wouldn't be able to put my finger on it. And I too have thought her constant rambling about her Versace this and Louis Vutton that is just bad form. As, frankly, is that horrible furniture in that house! It looks like something Louis XIV designed on acid wearing 3D glasses...
Posted by: Lavendar | February 7, 2006 8:31 AM
On second thought, let's at least give Kimora a hand - she seems to have lost that mighty muffler of fat that had heartily ringed her neck (and spread to her face) a few Top Model seasons back. She looked like one of those Asian good fortune cats. The more I look at her, I just can't remember what was so beautiuous about this woman. Maybe it's her carriage that's throwing me...
Posted by: Lavendar | February 7, 2006 8:34 AM
This was absolutely hilarious. I had to forward this on to a friend. Great job as usual Ms. Givhan!
Posted by: Michael | February 7, 2006 1:00 PM
Great to have a blog for fashion, Robin! And finally, someone has the guts to call Kimora out on her hyperbole (or lies as i like to call them). She was nowhere near the level of a KL muse, and we all know it.
Posted by: Alli B | February 7, 2006 1:43 PM
Hilarious and so true. One correction though, it's his money, his money, his money, his money.......
Posted by: WLT | February 7, 2006 4:55 PM
Very funny and very true. I've always thought Kimora was a bit classy with a "k", LOL.
Posted by: Elle | February 8, 2006 2:40 PM
Bravo, Brava, Bravissima!! I had to read that again. This woman is the epitome of tacky and nouveau riche. And, I mean that in the worst way. Her comment that she started her jewellery company because even the girls in the ghetto should be able to wear diamonds was laughable. She has the perfect partner in crime with her husband who, as a way to increase personal wealth in the "ghetto" created a credit card. ??? Keep on slamming the pretentious and crude and I will keep on reading. We need your good sense and clarity.
Posted by: hautecachoo | February 10, 2006 10:40 AM
This was definitely uncalled for. I understand all the things that people have to say about her but saying that her kids would be good bags???? Give me a freakin break! Those girls are amazingly beautiful and if I was Kimora I'd be showin them to the world too! Kimora is promoting a fairy tale type lifestyle that most girls who come from the ghetto aspire to have with all their little hearts. They can identify with her. When they take their paychecks and buy a babyphat purse they feel like they have a little piece of a lifestyle that they see the Beyonce's and the Naomi's have. I understand it. Kimora is smart.
Posted by: Ivi | February 20, 2006 11:00 PM
i love her she is a fashion icon i think she is beautiful,her girls,house,and clothes she from the hood and made it she got her own thing doing it big and i give props where props are due and while you guys writing about her she still making money and you'll just on the computer when you get through.
Posted by: QUEEN B | March 31, 2006 2:46 AM
I THINK PEOPLE NEED TO SIT BACK AND CHILLAX
TAKE NOTES WHILE KIMORA TAKES ACTION. SHE CAN SHOW PEOPLE HOW ITS DONE. KIMORA,DO WHAT YOU DO. I LOVE YOUR GEAR AND THE ICE IS TWICE AS NICE.
Posted by: leticia 05/23/06 | May 23, 2006 12:17 AM
after reading this article i actually have to agree with most of the comments said on here....kimora isn't seen as that kind of *fashion* designer....i think she does it solely out of attention and entertainment purposes...because it's one easy way for any commoner to rise into popularity besides all celebs coming out with their own fashion line...i think she leached off russel's fame him being the moguel of rap/hiphop...but i guess since she said she used to be "poor" like on BET i guess any typical ghetto person like any rapper/ghetto person would brag about their *bling bling* and how they made it because they made it... but like they say, an eflated ego can bite you in the ass...i still think she comes off fake...i mean seriously, if her target market is for the *hip/hop ghetto girl glam* how would you expect a ghetto girl to afford even such clothes? probably stealing/getting money for it, haha...
Posted by: heheheh | September 9, 2006 11:15 PM
The comments to this entry are closed.
Too funny -- you've captured the tackiness that is Kimora (and Baby Phat.)