Kimora Lee Simmons

Simmons in 2009

At age 13, Perkins signed a modeling contract with Chanel and under the tutelage of Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld. Simmons helped inspire Lagerfeld's creative vision and call for racial inclusion, and paved the way for other mixed race models in the fashion world. Lagerfeld deemed her the "Face of the 21st Century".[8]

She gained attention in the fashion world when she closed Lagerfeld's haute couture show in 1989 as the "bride" – the concluding bridal look signature to every Chanel show under Lagerfeld's tenure

Simmons later modeled for Fendi, Valentino, Emanuel Ungaro, Christian Dior, Roberto Cavalli, Kenzo, Anna Sui, Geoffrey Beene, and Yves Saint Laurent.

In 1998, Simmons' then-husband, music mogul and entrepreneur Russell Simmons, was at the helm of "Phat Farm", an urban menswear brand. Simmons created a parallel women's brand, "Baby Phat by Kimora Lee Simmons", under the umbrella of "Phat Fashions".[9] Simmons stepped in as Baby Phat's designer, creating a collection based on what she would wear.[10]

In 2000, Simmons was appointed president and creative director of the Baby Phat brand. In 2001, Baby Phat reported gross revenue earnings of $30 million.[11] By 2002, Phat Farm and Baby Phat had made a combined profit of $265 million.[12]

In 2004, the Kellwood Company purchased Phat Fashions for $140 million. Simmons stayed on as president and creative director of Baby Phat, expanding the label into a "lifestyle brand" with denim, accessories, jewelry, swimwear, fragrance and lingerie categories.

Later that year, the label expanded to selling a custom Motorola i833 mobile phone sold exclusively at Bloomingdale's and partnered with Vida Shoes International, Inc. to create a shoe line.[13]

In 2006, she was named president of parent company Phat Fashions. In 2007, Phat fashions partnered with Silver Goose/Kidstreet to create an infant and toddler accessory line.

In 2008, the Kellwood Company sold a majority stake in Phat Fashions to Sun Capital Partners, after which Simmons left Phat Fashions in 2010.

In 2019, Simmons announced she had reacquired the Baby Phat brand, and in August 2020 she announced Baby Phat Beauty line curated by her daughters Ming Lee and Aoki Lee.

In 1998, Simmons took on her first TV personality role, hosting One World Music Beat.[14] In 2004, she hosted the syndicated talkshow Life and Style for Sony Pictures Television, which filmed in front of a live studio audience. Kimora also took part in several specials for VH1 titled Uncut New York Fashion Week and Party Fabulous.

In 2003, Simmons served as a judge on season 1 of America's Next Top Model, alongside Tyra Banks, and also judged the franchise's Germany's Next Topmodel as well.

Showcasing Simmons' life as a businesswoman who balances her family life, she was the focal star of the Style Network's show Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane. This reality show debuted in 2007 and lasted for seven seasons. Simmons herself served as producer for four episodes in 2007 and then as executive producer for another ten episodes between 2009 and 2010.

Kimora: House of Fab debuted in 2013 in tandem with Simmons' tenure at JustFab. She also served as executive producer for each episode which aired on the Style Network.

Simmons produced Def Poetry Jam on Broadway for which she won a Tony Award in 2003 for a "Special Theatrical Event".[15]

Her 2006 book Fabulosity: What It Is and How to Get It was published by Harper Entertainment and garnered positive reviews as a lifestyle manual from such publications as the Washington Post and Boston Globe.

Simmons established the Kimora Lee Simmons Scholarship Fund at her high school 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 including Amfar, The G&P Foundation, Keep a Child Alive, Hetrick-Martin Institute and Rush Philanthropic, where she is on the board of directors. The mayor of St. Louis presented Simmons the key to the city and named March 18, 2008 "Kimora Day" in St. Louis.[16]

Simmons has appeared in multiple roles in television and films including Beauty Shop, Brown Sugar, and Waist Deep. She has also appeared in music videos for Ginuwine, Usher and Jay-Z, as well as in video games.