At Teen Vogue Summit 2023, model, writer and activist Aoki Lee Simmons joined her mother, Kimora Lee Simmons—an entrepreneur, creative director, and philanthropist—in a conversation with editor-in-chief Versha Sharma to discuss the intricacies of legacy building, challenges, triumphs, and moments shared as a iconic mother-daughter duo dominating the fashion industry.
Aoki who is also the star of this year’s September/October issue of Teen Vogue is well-versed in the art of trailblazing her own path to success. Despite being the daughter of a fashion legend, it might be tempting to assume that her journey has been all giggles and high heels. However, both Aoki Lee Simmons and her mother, Kimora Lee Simmons, have encountered similar struggles in their separate paths, making every milestone much more special.
This year marked a series of significant achievements for Aoki. She served as the face of her first global campaign, the Tommy Hilfiger Spring 2023 collection, became the youngest Black woman in the history of Harvard to graduate with a dual degree, landed her first magazine cover, and celebrated her 21st birthday. As Kimora revels in witnessing her daughter fulfill her wildest dreams, she recognizes that her own role in Aoki's journey is continually evolving.
"It's a mom's natural instinct to want to impose your expectations on your kids. But I'm learning to let my kids make their mistakes and serve as their support. As a mom, there's no one size fits all approach," says Kimora. "I just try my best and make sure that the wisdom I pass down comes from a good source".
As Aoki navigates her full-time modeling career, Kimora sometimes worries that her daughter Aoki may experience the same hardships that she encountered in her early years. She mentioned that she often courages Aoki, “to understand that in life you will face rejection because this industry can be so cutthroat. For some you won't be cool enough, tall enough, or petite enough. I've definitely had my ugly duckling days." Kimora has one major piece of advice that she raises her kids to remember, and that's to "touch grass". “Truly, who even cares?! Easier said than done. I never want her to have to deal with that part of the industry but all I can do is prepare her.” With that said, Aoki has indeed experienced similar situations. She'd recently faced public backlash for her decision to pursue both modeling and higher education. When asked how she copes with such backlash, Aoki replied, “I'm not sure I cope at all. I don't react. I simply turn my phone off and touch grass. My mom blames everything on my phone anyway.”
After such an exhilarating year, one can only speculate about the exciting ventures the young model has in store for the future. Perhaps a master's degree, or an acting career? Aoki shared that she allows opportunities to unfold organically. As long as she finds joy in the process, she's open to it all. Reflecting on her experiences, Aoki says, “College and modeling were fun and inspiring. I've always loved to learn and I've been a model since Baby Phat runway. So if it's any fun, my next move will find me. I'm taking it easy.”
It’s clear that Aoki is at her best when she doesn't set expectations. Her mother mentioned Aoki's uncanny ability to handle the world of business, modeling, and design must be a product of the family business. With the current resurgence of Y2K fashion, it was only right that Kimora relaunched her infamous heritage brand, Baby Phat. This time, the design process benefitted from the collaborative efforts of both her daughters. “Y2K was my graduating class, so I cherish the role I played in shaping that era, and witnessing my daughters' interpretation of it is truly special. The metallics, denim, pink hues, faux fur, and the daring clash of patterns— I had to bring Baby Phat back.”
While Kimora embraces certain elements from the past that have been adopted by this new age, she also acknowledges aspects she wishes had evolved or changed by now. “Fashion is an everchanging industry with the same pitfalls. For women of color specifically, it's changed so much but we still have so far to go. These brands claim to always have been so inclusive but that doesn't alway pan out to be true. I wish people would practice what they preach.” In essence, the future has arrived, and it falls upon the emerging generation to embody the change they want to see. This is precisely the mission that Aoki, her mother Kimora, and her sister Ming are actively pursuing. “We're literally the Powerpuff Girls," Aoki adds.
To conclude such an insightful discussion, Kimora offered some valuable business advice: Nothing too easy is worth having. “Stay true to yourself, make decisions authentic to your heart, and learn financial literacy if you want to be your own boss!”
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