Baby Phat: The Fall 2009 Collection

Last week, Kimora Lee Simmons told the Wall Street Journal that she, too, has felt the need to downsize the usually over-the-top Baby Phat runway show due to the economic climate. She cut her invitees in half, chose a smaller venue (Gotham Hall) and decided to concentrate on offering what retailers and editors would really want to see. While she delivered on the first two, she failed on the last.




You even felt the minimalist approach when gazing at her front row, which is notorious for having more celebrities than any other show during New York Fashion Week. Socialite Tinsley Mortimer, 'Sex and the City' and 'Confessions of a Shopaholic' costume designer Patricia Field, R&B stars Monica and Mario, and Pharrell ingénue Teyana Taylor. Yup, that was it. Not even best friends Tyra Banks or Vogue editor Andre Leon Talley were in sight.


The formula to Baby Phat's success has been offering fantasy that lends itself to the lifestyle the Baby Phat girl wants to get in on. This time, the models wore items that may actually hit retail floors if they haven't already (read: non-fashion forward). The fabric's quality was much less expensive than seasons past and, usually, Kimora takes more risks in the trendsetting department.



The endless parade of cropped jackets shown in leather, wool, mostly black, studded, Swarovski crystal-emblazoned is indeed an urban girl staple, but none of it felt new. And the ruffled dresses? Well, even I wore one last night, as did a few other girls, so we were like "huh?" Even the KLS dresses at the end took a few cues from Kimora's previous take on Halston. But I digress. There were also a few stunners.


The jumpsuits, shimmer items and even some of the Phat Farm for men will do. The fedoras, leather trench coat, leather blazers and a buffalo plaid shirt under a flannel bubble vest were current. It's still metropolitan, but these pieces can take him from day to night.



While I was very happy for the visibly preggers Lee, who smiled at her man Djimon Honsou sitting front row next to her ex, Russell Simmons, I have to admit, overall, it still wasn't her best.






So what do yall think about it????