Remember when we covered Kimora Lee Simmons' new Dare fragrance ad in April? And we innocently wondered how she managed to make her body look like a fourteen year-old's? We suspected body doubles then and it turns out we were right.



Body doubles was only one of the rumors The New York Post revealed surrounding Kimora's not-so-ceremonious split from Kellwood Company, the parent company of Baby Phat. According to Page Six, "Kimora was going over-budget. She'd pay herself a fee to be in the ads, plus she paid her children fees to appear in ads. It costs thousands of dollars to airbrush her because she's a size 10. Plus, they spent a ton of money on body doubles. They would shoot another model in the clothes, and take Kimora's head and put it on her body."



Hmm, kind of excessive to pay you and your children a fee to model, no? Personally, I would've loved her anyway as a size 10 so that airbrushing cost wasn't needed either.



Still, the quote from a "source" sounds like an insider with more than a little animosity toward Kimora. If they were truly doing budget cuts, couldn't they have demanded that Kimora no longer pay herself and her children to model, or used other models in the ads? And with all the revenue that Baby Phat brings in, was an airbrushing cost and model fee so expensive that they had to let the Creative Director go? They didn't need to cut her off from the company especially since she's such an integral part of the brand.



I, for one, am eager to see how the brand will continue without Kimora, and for the very fabulous things I'm sure she has up her sleeve.





What's your prediction for the future of Baby Phat without Kimora? Do you think airbrushing and model fees are valid reasons for giving someone the boot? Discuss.



Kisses,



Coutura

After fourteen years, Kimora Lee Simmons is saying farewell to the Baby Phat brand. The official statement says that Simmons will split from Baby Phat's parent company, Kellwood Company, on September 1st.



Via E! Online/Global Grind:



"After 14 years of conceiving and nurturing Baby Phat, it's time for me to move on and further expand my other businesses and create a new phenomenon," Simmons says. "I adore all those who have faithfully been with me since the beginning."



Wow. Kimora's celebrity image was so purposefully integrated with the Baby Phat brand that her departure is confusing and startling---especially when you consider her recent appointment as Creative Director of Phat Fashions. AND the fact that she starred in the vast majority of the Baby Phat ads. AND the fact that she, along with several other women, got a tattoo of the Baby Phat cat logo on her body. She built that brand from the ground up, invested everything into it and was so overwhelmingly proud of its success.



I remember being one of the first (I swear!) to wear the Baby Phat shirt while a Junior in high school, and though as I grew older Baby Phat labels were replaced by Tracy Reese and Rachel Roy, I still enjoyed attending the Baby Phat show every year. For me, it was one of the highlights of Fashion Week.



When their amazing PR rep, B.J. Coleman left, the atmosphere at the shows changed a bit and last Fashion Week (Fall 2010), there wasn't a runway show for Baby Phat at all. Fast-forward seven months and Kimora Lee is stepping away from the brand. Hmmm...



What do you think about her (seemingly) sudden departure? Do you think Baby Phat will survive without Kimora as the Creative Director...and the face? Did you see this coming?

Kisses,



Coutura

She may be loud and over the top, but when it comes to creating a great fragrance, she definitely knows what it takes. (Beyonce, please take notes. I really think that your fragrance is selling well because of your name only.) Kimora Lee Simmons will be launching her fifth fragrance, 'Dare Me', this month at stores such as Walgreens, Target and Kohl's. And, if it was anything like her last fragrance, Fabulosity, we're sure that this one is going be another great hit.

'Dare Me' contains top notes of magnolia and island coconut, a heart of Southern honeysuckle and African white milkwood and a drydown of creme de musk and sandalwood. According to WWD, Simmons described the scent as "girly and sexy and spring-summery." Coty Beauty execs said this fragrance is targeted towards women between 16 to 24 years of age. Price points range from $12.99 (travel-szie) to $28 (1 oz). I personally can't wait to get my hands on the hot pink bottle; and don't you think she looks fab in the print ads? But, then again, I had to give it the side eye because I don't really think that's her body...judging from recent pics I've seen snapped of her, she's not that skinny. So, I'm guessing that either they photoshopped her to death or that's another person's body they stuck her head on (as if no one would notice smh...)

xo

Ferocia

*photos from wwd.com

Hey Glamazons!

After the Ports 1961 show, I took a much-needed break to eat, recharge and get ready for one of the most fabulous, fun shows of the season: Heart Truth Red Dress Collection.

The runway was adorable: glittery chandeliers hung above it and at the end, there was a set fit for a candy striper. Too cute for words!

My fabulous friend, Sandrine (check out her blog, La Dolce Vita, and upcoming blog, Date City) and I managed to get into the second row! Here's a camera phone pic of us before the show. Loves it!

Before the show started, Superbowl winner (Who Dat!), Saints running back, Reggie Bush, tried to slip quietly in his front row seat. Little did he know, one row behind him sat the girl who's been harboring a secret crush on him (it's the dimples) for years...yours truly. I walked up to him to get a picture (strictly for blog purposes, wink) and he was super sweet about it. Yum.

Okay, so I had to acknowledge his fineness though I know he was there to support his girlfriend Kim Kardashian (whose crazy family I watch every Sunday so no shade at all to her, happy for them, I swear!).

Though Reggie caused a mini commotion (someone behind me asked, is that 50 Cent?), once the show started, all eyes were on the beautiful celebs.

Here's the rundown of designers/stars plus pics!

A pregnant Bethenny Frankel was charming in Isabella Oliver. The entire time she was holding her stomach and smiling from ear-to-ear in a ruched strapless dress.

Felicity Huffman came out to applause in Oscar de la Renta. She looked stunning and stopped to hug her husband.

Estelle was gorgeous in an elaborate Zac Posen gown. She broke into a rockstar pose at the end of the runway. So fun!

Joan Collins walked out in Stephanie Rolland. The crowd erupted in applause and everyone was trying to snap a picture.

I just love Jordin Sparks' energy! She showed off a new svelte bod in a form-fitting Badgley Mischka number.

Kim Kardashian wowed in a Marchesa gown that highlighted her famous curves. Her make-up and hair was elegant and refined. She stopped to blow a kiss to boyfriend Reggie in the front row. So cute!

Kimora Lee made an appearance wearing a short, sequin dress from her new line, Kouture by Kimora. Yes, it's spelled with a K. She looked beautiful and stylish, as always. (Sidenote: I was surprised to see her since rumor has it that Baby Phat isn't showing this season?! Somebody explain).

Raven-Symone hit the runway in Tadashi Shoji---and can I say she was super-fierce? She even kicked her shoes off before walking backstage! Don't hurt nobody (No seriously, that could've flew into someone's face).

One of my personal favorites was Regina King, who sauntered down the runway in a curve-hugging dress from Tracy Reese (she's in amazing shape) to Alicia Keys' "Put it in a Love Song." I love that when the music suddenly stopped, she paused, broke into a pose and kept moving once it played again without missing a beat. Now that's fierce!

Robin Roberts walked out to applause in a one-shoulder J.Crew Collection dress that showed off her toned shoulders and arms. She's such a strong figure, battling breast cancer and covering hard news like the earthquake in Haiti, without losing her fun, cheery disposition. Everyone was inspired by her and cheered her on down the runway.

Can we stop pretending Heidi Klum is a human like the rest of us? She came out looking impossibly gorgeous in a John Galliano gown and sleek blonde hair. She's all the more striking in person.

All the ladies walked out under red heart confetti at the end, danced and posed for a picture under the Heart Truth banner.

All in all, it was a superfun show for a better cause: spreading awareness about heart disease. Visit http://www.hearttruth.gov/ for resources about the disease and what you can do to help.

The Heart Truth Red Dress Collection show always lifts my spirits and was a great way to end a sad day in Fashion. Oh and as if the show wasn't entertaining enough on its own, I saw my girlfriend in my head, Wendy Williams, and ran into the hilarious Robert Verdi (pictured below with the amazing Elaine) and Micah Jesse (check out his blog, he cracks me up!) after the show. Fun times!

Now off to bed for a full day of shows tomorrow. Stay tuned!

Kisses,

Coutura

Pictures: Style.com. Ybf.com. Instyle.com.

Hey Glamazons!

Amber Rose. Ice-T and Coco. Letoya Luckett. Teyana Taylor. Terrance J. Wale. Fonsworth Bentley and girlfriend, Faune Chambers. Nicole Ari Parker. Boris Kudjoe. June Ambrose. Emil Wilbekin. Mikki Taylor. Ursula Stephens. Alesha Renee. All these celebrity sightings can only mean one thing: The Baby Phat show. I attended the circus last night at the Roseland Ballroom, with fellow Glamazon, Ferocia, and Chantal Borgella, the publicist for Young Mel, Jay-Z's nephew and the new rapper signed to Roc Nation that everyone's talking about. While we caught the Spring 2010 lineup from the fourth row, hundreds of Baby Phat fans and critics saw the fashions on a jumbotron in Times Square where the show aired live. Yes, people. Kimora is as glamourous as it gets.

When we arrived at 52nd and 6th, the line outside looked like Summer Jam or worse, Saturday night at BB King's in Times Square. Inside, was even more chaotic. We ran into Wale and Terrance J in the hallway, spotted Teyana Taylor giving an interview, saw fans take pictures with ANTM's Miss J and pushed our way to our seats to spot June Ambrose and Emil Wilbekin chatting in the front row. While photographer Johnny Nunez snapped photos of every celebrity you can imagine, editors and fans mingled and chatted for what seemed like forever (50 minutes to be exact) before finally settling in their seats for the show to start.

Amber Rose looking gorgeous in the front row.

Jessica White dazzles in a metallic minidress.

And the best looking couple of the year award goes to...Nicole Ari Parker and Boris Kudjoe.

Wale and Terrance J. cracked jokes with us and hung out before the show.

Teyana Taylor rocked her signature funky, fresh look on the red carpet.

Kim Kardashian and Melody Thornton were anything but basic in black.

Kim Kardashian and Kimora get chummy at the afterparty.

The diva of all divas, stylist June Ambrose, worked the red carpet. Love that she said she liked my bob!

Ice-T and Coco pose for a picture in the front row.

As we sang along to blaring tunes including Wale's "Chillin'" and Kid Cudi's "Make Her Say," we caught our first glimpse of the collection, aptly titled 'Moroccan Kiss,' which rendered a cacophony of color, eye-catching pattern and bold jewelry. Inspired by exotic Moroccan style and carefree 70’s fashion, Kimora showed a line-up of sweeping maxidresses, lace blouses and acid-wash jeans that invoked a summer romance on the beach. “It’s 70’s Morocco, but a bit modern, sexy, beachy. The colors are very steamy and romantic, smoldering,” said the newlywed mother of three. “I love color, the whole sultriness of it, the opulence of the people and the culture.”

While other designers explored muted palettes of blush and gray, Kimora presented flirty, feminine looks in the resplendent colors of the beach, from sultry coral to oceanic turquoise. In keeping with the beach theme, Kimora’s take on swimwear was surprisingly subtle this season: a one-piece suit with ruffles adorning the bustline, a basic black bikini with a sheer purple cover-up. But her foray into minimalism ended there; the accessories---oversized, snakeskin printed bags---and sequined leggings delivered the signature excessive glamour expected from Baby Phat.

Kimora walked out at the end of the show with her two daughters, Ming and Aoki Lee, by her side and her new son, Kenzo, on her arm. But the real treat was the Micheal Jackson tribute at the end, where four models walked out to "P.Y.T." in shirts that read "Baby," on the front and "Phat," on the back, bright liquid leggings and one glittery glove. Fab! The show definitely lived up to its title as the most dramatic show during Fashion Week.

What do you think of the designs?

Kisses,

Coutura

Photos: Imaxtree. Getty/Johnny Nunez. NYMag.com.