STREAM EXCLUSIVE ORIGINALS

Put Some Respeck On Her Name!: Kimora Lee Simmons Started Her Modeling Career At 13 And Became The Blueprint For The Modern Day Influencer

See the OG of fashion looking just like her currently 21 year old daughter back in the day.

When we think of Kimora Lee Simmons, we think of hip-hop and fashion royalty. But what you may not have known is that she is an internationally known runway model who started her career at 13-years-old.

The St. Louis native was first discovered during a model search in Kansas City and was then sent to Paris where she exclusively hit the runway for the Chanel show. The mogul went on to strut the catwalks for designers such as Fendi, Valentino, and Yves Saint Laurent.

The cover girl also graced the glossy pages of Harper’s Bazaar in multiple countries before marrying her ex-husband, Russell Simmons.

Most people know her as being the boss that she is as the Creative Director and President of Baby Phat. After selling the company in 2004, Kimora launched a high-end sports line “KLS” in 2007, opening the boutique in Beverly Hills in 2015.

Her eldest daughter Ming Lee Simmons is following in her mama's footsteps modeling for brands including Baby Phat, which relaunched earlier this summer. The Baby Phat x F21 collection sold out within the first week, proving that the iconic brand is still a favorite amongst millennials.

Her career is the blueprint for all of these influencers today, and she deserves all of the praise!

See her ripping the runway below!

Related: Baby Phat X Forever 21 Just Dropped: Kimora Lee Simmons’ Daughters And Diddy's Twins Are Modeling

 

  1. Strutted The Catwalk In The Chanel Show, Age 13

  2. Walked The Valentino Runway Show, Age 14

  3. Struck A Pose For Chanel by Karl Largerfeld, Age 15

    (Photo: Nora Feller/The LIFE Images Collection via Getty Images/Getty Images)

    Nora Feller/The LIFE Images Collection via Getty Images/Getty Images

    (Photo: Nora Feller/The LIFE Images Collection via Getty Images/Getty Images)
  4. advertisement
  5. Modeling In Paris, France, Age 15

    (Photo: Nora Feller/The LIFE Images Collection via Getty Images/Getty Images)

    Nora Feller/The LIFE Images Collection via Getty Images/Getty Images

    (Photo: Nora Feller/The LIFE Images Collection via Getty Images/Getty Images)
  6. Stormed The Catwalk During Paris Fashion Week, Age 16

  7. Twirled In The Emanuel Ungaro Show, Age 16

  8. advertisement
  9. Turned Heads During The Marc Bouwer Runway Show, Age 24

    (Photo: Mitchell Gerber/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images)

    Photo: Mitchell Gerber/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images

    (Photo: Mitchell Gerber/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images)
  10. Closed Out Her 2002 Baby Phat Runway Show With Daughters, Ming Lee & Aoki Lee

    (Photo: Evan Agostini/ImageDirect)

    Photo: Evan Agostini/ImageDirect

    (Photo: Evan Agostini/ImageDirect)
  11. Proves That She Is Still Queen, Modeling along side her daughters for the relaunch of Baby Phat Summer 2019, age 44

  12. advertisement

Latest News

Subscribe for BET Updates

Provide your email address to receive our newsletter.


By clicking Subscribe, you confirm that you have read and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge our Privacy Policy. You also agree to receive marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers) and other information from BET and the Paramount family of companies. You understand that you can unsubscribe at any time.