Fashion Feature

Baby Phat & Phat Farm
Talk about charmed lives. The charmed life of Kimora Lee Simmons and the charmed life of Russell "Huge Heffner Simmons" Kimora a native of Saint Louis started making waves at the tender age of 13 when she started modeling for the House of Chanel and as muse to Karl Lagerfeld. Russell a native of NYC started making waves & crazy loot when Hip Hop was in its early stages. I remember seeing Russell around back in the break dancing days of the Roxy and I was always taken aback by his laid back cool as a mofo collected demeanor. Nothing threatening about his vibe an almost serene self-assured confidence. At the time I did not even know his name but I knew he was some sort of music dude. Flash forward to 89 when a friend over at Warner Brothers was raving about how cool she was due to the fact that Russell Simmons had just offered her a job. So here I am chillin at the Warner Bros promotions office listening to some new Ofra Hasa track and I asked "who is this Russell Simons guy, what does he look like".

My friend opens this mag and shows me a pic of Russell at some club and it all started to make sense. "No wonder I see this cat out in the club circuit all the time." As the years went by I use to see Russell at clubs like Nells when Nells was hot and at the infamous after hours Save the Robots. Always models in tow. Talk about a charmed life indeed. Someone like Russell from a humble background making a serious name for himself. That is the substance dreams and movies are made of.

Flash forward a few years and I’m out and about doing my usual, chillin with some friends at a party that my boy Rocco Ancorola was hosting at some new lounge owned by Andrew Sasson of Grove Jet. The Place was crowded but comfortable and I see this crowd forming around someone. Out of the crowd steps this extreme tall slender goddess of beauty. I tried sipping my drink but I was so overtaken by the beauty before me that I spilled my drink.

No one noticed since all eyes were on Kimora. Of course a second later out of the crowd steps Russell. Damn!!!! I remember saying to myself "That is one of the luckiest mofos in the world" yeah I have to admit I was almost hating on him cause I was in complete lust. Charmed life indeed.

My grand daddy use to say "Work hard and you'll get all you ever wanted" Russell Simmons must have a similar work ethic cause homeboy is like an Octopus he has his hands in all aspects of business not to mention he has a beautiful wife and beautiful daughter. I tip my hat to two cool driven individuals, Russell and Kimora.

This is just a teaser please send an email to JohnV@fmfb.net to get your copy of the premier print issue and the complete story and interview with Russell and Kimora Much love JVV