Aspire with Emma Grede

Kimora Lee They Called Me a B*tch. I Built an Empire Anyway

15 snips
Apr 7, 2026
Kimora Lee, model-turned-entrepreneur who built Baby Phat, shares hard-won lessons about power and ownership. She recalls being sidelined in deals, reclaiming her brand, and what she wishes she’d known about contracts. Expect stories on leadership, cultural impact, family-driven motivation, and why getting Baby Phat back matters more now.
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ANECDOTE

From St Louis To Chanel Atelier

  • Kimora Lee recounts being discovered as a teen and walking into Chanel at 13, which became her formative ‘nine-to-five’ learning ground.
  • Working daily at 31 Rue Cambon with Karl Lagerfeld taught her backstage decision-making, design instincts, and creative leadership.
INSIGHT

Baby Phat Filled A Real Fashion Gap

  • Kimora identified an unmet market: women of color wanted streetwear that hugged curves and read as fashion, not scaled-down menswear.
  • Baby Phat's DNA was defined by fit, velour tracksuits, baby tees and curve-hugging construction that mainstream brands ignored.
ANECDOTE

I Built The Brand But Owned Too Little

  • Kimora explains she owned only a small piece of Baby Phat despite building its aesthetic and demand, and missed many sale discussions.
  • She learned the sale valued Baby Phat heavily while Fat Farm was obsolete, leaving her with far less than her contribution warranted.
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