KLS: The Reinvention Of Kimora Lee Simmons

by Paige Reddinger
Kimora Lee Simmons has launched a new fashion label called KLS, and it’s a far cry from her Baby Phat days. Simmons’ original fashion label was started in 1998 with her then husband, hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons. Kimora, who is now 39 years old, pregnant, and remarried to Goldman Sachs banker Tim Leissner, is entering a new phase in life. KLS is all about that new grown-up sensibility.

“I think it reflects me as a woman right now. I’m a busy woman, I’m pregnant, and I’m on the go,” Simmons told The Daily. “I was fitting this size when I started this process about 18 months ago! People keep coming in and are pleasantly surprised when they see the collection. You know, I’m not going out to the clubs anymore.” The new collection, which was styled by Karl Templer, focuses on a higher-end market, with price points ranging from $1,500 to $2,400 for dresses to $500 to $800 for tops and $600 to $900 for pants. Simmons chose to debut the collection on Friday during the much quieter season of Pre-Fall at Ironworks’ clean white space in Chelsea to a select group of editors from top fashion publications. “I wanted it to be intimate and I wanted to be able to sit an talk with people,” said Simmons. “It’s not like my Radio City Music Hall [Baby Phat] fashion show of yesteryear. That was huge and great nine years ago, but this is much more modern, fresh and sophisticated for me.” Unlike Baby Phat, KLS is not operated under licensing agreements; KLS is financed under her company KLS Holdings. Simmons plans to open a boutique for the label on Rodeo Drive in Los Angeles this Spring.

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