Tag: Kimora Lee Simmons

Accessories /

BABY PHAT REISSUES ICONIC PUFFER JACKETS: A Nostalgic Revival of Early 2000s Winter Fashion

Happy 25th Anniversary, Baby Phat! The trailblazing fashion brand founded by the iconic Kimora Lee Simmons in 1999 will begin its year-long celebration of its 25th year with the release of an iconic favorite – the BP Puffer.

In 1999 – the height of hip-hop fashion and “urban wear”, puffer jackets were a cultural phenomenon. This winter, Baby Phat breathes new life into “the coat that launched a million schoolyard fights,” bringing it into the hearts and wardrobes of a new generation.

A symbol of early aughts winter fashion, these reissued jackets are revamped with fresh colorways: Olive, Onyx, Sand, and a Glossy Red. Available in sizes XS – 3X, the BP Puffer is a fit for everyone. The logos, zippers, faux fur hood, and embellishments give shine to this logo-emblazoned outerwear piece a fresh take with the same energy.

In recent years, Baby Phat’s puffer jackets have become a sensation among the Gen-Z TikTok audience. Enthusiasts are rediscovering the brand through vintage shops, both online and in-person, sparking a cultural resurgence. Social media users are not only showcasing their unique finds but also creating memes that cement the iconic status of the jackets, turning them into a symbol of contemporary coolness.

The marketing campaign for this release features Kimora Lee Simmons and her daughter, Ming Lee Simmons. Its launch will feature a cheeky call-back to the iconic nature of the coat and the legacy it has woven into the culture – particularly Twitter, where fans of the brand have long celebrated its status.

ABOUT THE BP PUFFER

The reissued BP PUFFER boasts plush insulation and a distinctive Baby Phat logo has been adapted to suit changing trends while maintaining its unique allure. Meticulously crafted, the Baby Phat puffer jacket blends functionality and high fashion, with a quilted design that offers warmth and visual appeal. Revived with refreshed colorways – including Olive, Onyx, Sand, and a Glossy Red- the coat features an eye-catching stand collar with a detachable faux fur-trimmed hood. More than two decades after its introduction, the BP Puffer continues to captivate fashion enthusiasts worldwide.

Available now at www.babyphat.com and priced at USD 120.

Accessories /

BABY PHAT: UNLEASHES NOSTALGIA FOR THE FALL

Make way for nostalgia! Baby Phat’s Fall/Winter 2023 drop reframes Y2K style, adding a fresh perspective to a fashion landscape where “back in the day” sentiment still reigns supreme. The Baby Phat brand continues to champion a cherished era in which size-inclusivity, diversity, and cultural relevance first made their mark in the industry. This dedication further solidifies Baby Phat as the originator in the realm of urban streetwear through a female gaze.

The Fall Winter drop is a continuation of the brand’s core product through the years and blends the timeless street sensibility with the Baby Phat hallmark – drawing inspiration from the fusion of streetwear and high fashion. This collection revives a powerful palette with modern energy—electric blues, vibrant pinks, novel prints, and silhouettes that command attention. Welcome to our “soft girl” era, where slouchy parachute pants, micro cargo skirts, and printed sets take center stage.

Following the initial Fall drop, Baby Phat will re-up on fabulosity by releasing the ‘99 Classics collection: consisting of drops that will be released in the coming weeks and are a fresh interpretation of our “best sellers”: luxe velour tracksuits with debossed logo detail, stretch baby tees, and the return of BP Denim with back pockets emblazoned with the iconic cat logo. Playful plush crop tops paired with modern mini skirts to create covetable combos.

Founded in 1999 by visionary entrepreneur and Creative Director Kimora Lee Simmons, Baby Phat quickly became a symbol of empowerment, individuality, and unrivaled self-expression. Under Kimora’s leadership, Baby Phat transformed the fashion landscape by embracing diversity, inclusivity, and the celebration of women of all backgrounds and body types. The brand’s fearless approach to style broke boundaries and redefined fashion standards, taking the runways and streets by storm.

Photo Credits: Baby Phat

“This drop is a celebration of an era that left an indelible mark on fashion history,” says Founder and CEO, Kimora Lee Simmons. “The cross-generational love of individuality and self-expression represents the timeless nature of the early 2000s. That era’s continued impact continues to delight consumers and I know they’ll find themselves in the spirit of these pieces.”

With a meticulous fusion of the “baby girl” aesthetic and contemporary flair, Baby Phat delivers an experience for fashion enthusiasts, influencers, and trendsetters alike. This collection effortlessly bridges the gap between the past and the present, reminding us exactly why Baby Phat and the early 2000s were an iconic era in fashion history.

Prices range from $40 – $100 and are sold exclusively on BabyPhat.com

About Baby Phat:

Our story begins in 1999 with a simple baby tee, which would quickly change the landscape of Women’s Fashion. Baby Phat is a dynamic, truly diverse, and inclusive brand with an unwavering finger on the pulse of Hip Hop and streetwear. Though many fashion elites snubbed Baby Phat early on, the brand’s success forced them to reevaluate the meaning of style.

Celebrity /

ESSENCE’s New Digital Cover Featuring Star Trek: Discovery’s Sonequa Martin-Green

“I certainly see more doors opening for Black women and people of color…and of course, I celebrate it. But I also have a healthy yearning for more…”— Sonequa Martin-Green, ESSENCE.com

ESSENCE’s new digital cover features Star Trek: Discovery’s Sonequa Martin-Green who continues her upward trajectory on the iconic sci-fi series in her role as First Officer Michael Burnham. In the piece, Out of This World, she talks about diversity in Hollywood and the impact of her role on the next generation (pun intended.) As one of the few faces of color to have navigated the zombie apocalypse on The Walking Dead, she’s now the first Black woman to be a lead on a Star Trek series in its 53-year history. Here, she talks to ESSENCE about: 

  • ON BEING A ROLE MODEL TO YOUNG GIRLS: “It’s kind of surreal…Parents tell me their girls are interested in math, science, and technology after watching the show. That’s incredible. It makes me want to work harder. It makes me more grateful.”
  • ON LOVING HER “STAR TREK” ROLE: “I saw this vision to humanize Star Trek in a way we hadn’t seen before. That’s the kind of stuff I love. That’s so challenging and fulfilling as an actor…Here we have this Black woman who is completely burst open. You’re seeing the inner workings of this Black woman being a human being. We need to see Black people and other people of color and women be human and be broken and be vulnerable. I think that’s a big part of how we move forward.”
  • ON THE NEED FOR MORE DIVERSITY IN HOLLYWOOD: “I certainly see more doors opening for Black women and people of color…And of course, I celebrate it. But I also have a healthy yearning for more. The way to continue opening these doors is by continuing to do what we’re doing: telling these varied, interesting, compelling, ugly, beautiful, human stories. We need for people who look like us to tell them because otherwise, we[’ll] continue to see ourselves through other people who are different from us. So I appreciate our writers and producers for standing by this vision to have a Black woman at the helm. I’m so very humbled by it and innovated by it. I just hope that this keeps spreading. I think it will…”

In the piece, written by Candice Frederick, Martin-Green is stunning in looks and accessories by Kimora Lee Simmons, Zadig & Voltaire, Maki Oh, Kenneth Jay Lane and more. Photos are by Derek Reed and styling by Mecca James Williams.

For more on this and more stories, visit ESSENCE.com.