In case you don’t remember, Baby Phat was a big fucking deal in the early 2000s. The brand made BANK! Established in 1999 as the women’s extension of Russel Simmons’ Phat Farm, it started out as little more than a logo printed on T-shirts that were handed out at fashion parties. In 2000, Simmons’ wife, Kimora Lee, was appointed president and creative director of the brand, and by 2003, the year this show took place, Baby Phat was one of Simmons’ most profitable companies. It was so profitable that in 2004 Simmons was able to sell the the business to Kellwood Company for a whopping $140 million.
So, just to recap, this show happened, and then, a year later, Simmons sold the company for $140 million dollars. This show, first. Then, after this show, $140 million dollars. That’s the order of events. This show, then the money. Lots and lots of money. But first, this show.
Baby Phat Fall 2003 Fashion Show (Getty Images)
The show featured some of the biggest models of the day, including Carmen Kass and Eva Herzigova — big-money girls who, at this stage in their careers, barely walked any of the New York runways. But they walked in Baby Phat. Oh yes they did.
Baby Phat Fall 2003 Fashion Show (Getty Images)
They didn’t just walk, they strutted. Sturt, Carmen, Strut!
Baby Phat Fall 2003 Fashion Show (Getty Images)
And they wore earrings big enough to throw a football through.
Baby Phat Fall 2003 Fashion Show (Getty Images)
There was real fur incorporated into almost every look — because luxury. The fact that Baby Phat didn’t sell fur was of no consequence. This runway wasn’t about retail, it was about fantasy!
Baby Phat Fall 2003 Fashion Show (Getty Images)
This one model wore glasses — probably because Baby Phat made optical and this was as good a place as any to promote it, but I like to think it was because the model had an astigmatism and creative director Kimora Lee was HERE for it.
Baby Phat Fall 2003 Fashion Show (Getty Images)
Most of the tops were just nip slips waiting to happen. But, then, what goes better with a furry muff than a nip slip?
Baby Phat Fall 2003 Fashion Show (Getty Images)
This top didn’t even attempt to cover the model’s nipples.
Baby Phat Fall 2003 Fashion Show (Getty Images)
Kimmora Lee was probably backstage like “Gurrrrrrl, get yo titty out and work that runway!”
Baby Phat Fall 2003 Fashion Show (Getty Images)
“And don’t forget to show off that ass crack!”
Baby Phat Fall 2003 Fashion Show (Getty Images)
Seriously, this show was just beyond. Beyond!
Baby Phat Fall 2003 Fashion Show (Getty Images)
And by the time it was all said and done, even Carmen and Eva couldn’t keep their shit together and the pair started cracking up during the finale.
Baby Phat Fall 2003 Fashion Show (Getty Images)
I mean, sometimes all you can do is laugh. (Laugh and take home crazy-huge amounts of cash, because you know Kimora was paying those two some serious dough to walk in that show. Serious. Fucking. Dough.)
