Baby Phat: Crossing Over
By Mari Davis
Photos by: Gruber-FWD
NEW YORK, Feb 14, 2003/ FW/ --- One great thing you can say about Kimora Lee Simmons, she
has stayed within the spirit of hip hop when it comes to fashion.
Hip hop, a subculture in the American youth culture started as as part of a black movement among
the African-Americans born between 1965-1984, the first generation of African-Americans to be
born and grown up without segragation.
Rap music is just one of its manifestation, and fashion came right at the heels of the music.
For the past 20 years, the American mainstream culture had watched this subculture take hold,
not only among the African-American population but to other groups as well.
In short, hip-hop has crossed-over and is no longer considered part of the underground.
Though it has remained a subculture, it's language (the label Baby Phat itself is part of the
hip hop slang. PHAT is the acronym of 'Pretty Hot And Tempting'), technology and fashion
can already be seen seeping into the mainstream.
And that is what Kimora Lee Simmons has been very successful in doing - staying true to hip hop
and not 'selling out' to the mainstream in a manner of speaking.
Unlike P. Diddy's Sean John label which tries to be the next Gianni Versace, Kimora Lee Simmons
still come up with designs that are actually still worn in hip hop clubs and gatherings.
The clothes will still not be worn at the Hamptons, but since it was never her market, it does
not really matter.
What is important is that the followers of hip hop has a designer whom they can count on.
And it shows with her success in the retail section. Though P. Diddy's bottom line far exceeds
Baby Phat, the financial figures reflects that the latter has stayed within the subculture,
while Sean John has started to tap the mainstream consumers.
During this otherwise very sedate and prim New York season, Kimora Lee Simmons sent a plethora
of color on the runway matched with a generous dash of risqué.
Thigh-high suede and gold boots and gold earrings were as big as plates were the main fare for
the accessories.
For the clothes, skirts were practically non-existent, the short shorts will give Victoria's
Secrets a run for their money, while the leather fur trimmed cape will get PETA's attention.
The looks were devilishly sexy, feminine, but can be hard. It will take a lot of courage
to wear some of the looks, except for the more sensible panel skirts in corduroy and tweed.
It's hip hop! It's not a rebel without a cause. It is a subculture wherein shock techniques
are part of the game.
It is not just for show. It is for real!
It's as real as the model sported the gritty look with a cell phone tucked into a side pocket,
the new limited edition Motorola i95cl Baby Phat by Kimora Lee Simmons edition which was
launched the same day that the designer unveilved her Fall 2003 collection.
Hip hop has truly crossed over - from music, to fashion and now technology. Silicon Valley and
the Telecom Corridor has been watching the hip hop movement too!
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