Kimora Lee Simmons

American designer Kimora Lee Simmons has turned her love of fine jewelry and life-long affection for Hello Kitty into this unique luxury brand which has women worldwide falling in love with Hello Kitty all over again.

The talented designer is credited with inspiring a new generation of consumers with her glamorous, sexy, over-the-top style that has catapulted her white-hot clothing label Baby Phat by Kimora Lee Simmons into an enormous success. Kimora's influence in the world of fashion is undeniable while her savvy as a businesswoman has made this former runway model a worldwide brand phenomenon. With an unrivaled universal appeal, Kimora is the only multiethnic woman to have a successful fashion empire along with her own signature diamond encrusted cell phone, jewelry collection, cosmetics and fragrance — quintessentially, she is the new establishment.

A native of St Louis, Kimora began her career as a fashion model at the early age of 13 when she was personally chosen by fashion czar Karl Lagerfeld to model for the esteemed house of Chanel in Paris. Her success as a runway model gave Kimora an innate sense of style which propels her as a fashion designer. As the instrumental force behind the brand’s creative designs, ad campaign strategy and marketing concepts, Kimora has taken her astute business acumen and passion for her work to spearhead numerous brand extension ventures with companies including Mattel, Motorola, Coty, Dan River and M. Fabrikant & Sons.

Having made her mark on the fashion industry, it wasn't long before Hollywood came calling.  Kimora's upbeat, fun and charismatic personality keeps her in constant demand for roles on both the small and large screens.  Kimora launched her television career as a judge on UPN’s hit series America’s Next Top Model, and went on to a co-host Sony Television’s syndicated talk show Life & Style.  She has most recently Executive Produced and starred in StarTrekking with Kimora Lee Simmons for MSN.com and specials for VH-1 (InsideOut: Kimora Lee Simmons presents NY Fashion Week) and Style (Party Fabulous with Kimora Lee Simmons). On the big screen Kimora debuted in MGM’s ‘Beauty Shop’ starring Queen Latifah and Focus Feature’s Waist Deep with Tyrese Gibson.  Kimora also published her first work, “Fabulosity: What It Is and How to Get It”, a lifestyle guide for women with Harper Collins this year.

An enthusiastic philanthropist and patron of the arts, Kimora lends her time and support to numerous charitable organizations, especially those institutions which target disadvantaged youth.  She established the Kimora Lee Simmons Scholarship Fund at her alma mater in St. Louis to provide college tuition support for academically successful girls with financial needs and is an active member of youth advocacy organizations such as the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation, Amfar, Keep a Child Alive, Women of the World and Hetrick-Martin Institute.