It’s been five years since Kimora Lee Simmons left her roles as creative director and president at Phat Fashions. But time has been good to Simmons, both personally and professionally. The 39-year-old entrepreneur found a new love in Goldman Sachs investment banker Tim Leissner, married him in February and is expecting their first child together (her third) next April. Last week, Simmons let the industry in on another special baby, a new ready-to-wear line called KLS Kimora Lee Simmons. Here’s what you need to know.
theFashionSpot: What inspired you to get back into fashion design?
Kimora Lee Simmons: I was looking for clothing that I could wear for the whole spectrum of my daily life, but I had trouble finding versatile pieces. My design process for this collection started a couple of years ago. It began with me personally gravitating toward a sleeker, more sophisticated and subtle idea of femininity.
tFS: Who’s the KLS Kimora Lee Simmons customer?
KLS: KLS is for women looking for incredibly crafted, tailored luxury pieces that convey a subtle allure along with strong and soft silhouettes.
tFS: Where is the line sourced?
KLS: Fabrics and embellishments are sourced from vendors worldwide, and the line is produced entirely in New York City.
tFS: What’s the price range?
KLS: The line is available exclusively on KLS.com and will also be available at the new KLS flagship boutique in Beverly Hills when it opens this spring. Prices range from $500 to $900 for blouses and trousers, $1,500 to $2,400 for dresses and $2,400 for outerwear.
tFS: What’s the inspiration behind your pre-fall collection?
KLS: I was inspired by a recent trip I took with my family to the Adriatic coast of Italy. I was taken by the rich colors and textures that surrounded me in the local markets and throughout the cliffs and landscapes.
tFS: How hands-on are you in the design process?
KLS: I work with a skilled team to create my vision of the modern woman. I have a hand in every aspect, from fabrics to colors to patterns.
tFS: Some people are calling this your comeback.
KLS: I like that people expect something of me, and I’m creating something that defies expectation. It’s the same feeling as when I modeled as a teenager in Paris for Chanel and YSL. I was the outsider, but people with real vision like Karl Lagerfeld and Yves Saint Laurent saw something in me that was unique.
Images: Christian MacDonald
KLS by Kimora Lee Simmons Pre-Fall 2015
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KLS by Kimora Lee Simmons Pre-Fall 2015
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KLS by Kimora Lee Simmons Pre-Fall 2015
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KLS by Kimora Lee Simmons Pre-Fall 2015
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KLS by Kimora Lee Simmons Pre-Fall 2015
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KLS by Kimora Lee Simmons Pre-Fall 2015
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KLS by Kimora Lee Simmons Pre-Fall 2015
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KLS by Kimora Lee Simmons Pre-Fall 2015
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KLS by Kimora Lee Simmons Pre-Fall 2015
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KLS by Kimora Lee Simmons Pre-Fall 2015
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KLS by Kimora Lee Simmons Pre-Fall 2015
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KLS by Kimora Lee Simmons Pre-Fall 2015
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KLS by Kimora Lee Simmons Pre-Fall 2015
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KLS by Kimora Lee Simmons Pre-Fall 2015
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KLS by Kimora Lee Simmons Pre-Fall 2015
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KLS by Kimora Lee Simmons Pre-Fall 2015
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KLS by Kimora Lee Simmons Pre-Fall 2015
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KLS by Kimora Lee Simmons Pre-Fall 2015
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KLS by Kimora Lee Simmons Pre-Fall 2015
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KLS by Kimora Lee Simmons Pre-Fall 2015
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KLS by Kimora Lee Simmons Pre-Fall 2015
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KLS by Kimora Lee Simmons Pre-Fall 2015
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KLS by Kimora Lee Simmons Pre-Fall 2015
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KLS by Kimora Lee Simmons Pre-Fall 2015
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KLS by Kimora Lee Simmons Pre-Fall 2015
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KLS by Kimora Lee Simmons Pre-Fall 2015
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KLS by Kimora Lee Simmons Pre-Fall 2015
