In this excerpt of Somaya Krishnamurthy’s new book ‘Fashion Killa,’ Lil Kim evolves from bullied teen to couture influencer…and luxury culture evolves with her
Rap artist Lil' Kim, wearing a revealing, purple-sequined dress with pasties, waves to the camera at the MTV Video Music Awards at the Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center, New York City.become synonymous with hip-hop, though not too long ago, many of its institutions would have turned their noses up at the rap stars that dominate pop culture today .
Lil’ Kim’s willingness to be a shape-shifter made her an exciting fashion muse. She had close relationships with designers and called Donatella Versace, Marc Jacobs, and Alexander McQueen her personal friends. “Donatella is my girl. We’ve loved each other from the moment we first saw each other,” said Kim. The pair were seen schmoozing as early as the Versace “Versus” fashion show in March 1998.
David LaChapelle turned Lil’ Kim into the epitome of sex and luxury. In 1999, the fashion photographer known for his colorful, exaggerated pop art lens shot the rapper completely naked — save for Louis Vuitton logos airbrushed on her skin — for the cover ofmagazine. “When I did that image, it was about the skin as a luxury item,” said LaChapelle. The next year, he shot Kim and Donatella Versace along with Missy Elliott and Rose McGowan for.
Lil’ Kim was hip-hop’s premier fashion influencer and that’s who Kimora Lee Simmons enlisted to help launch Baby Phat. In 1999, Kimora started her brand with bedazzled logo T-shirts that she gave to Kim and supermodels Naomi Campbell and Christy Turlington to wear. Baby Phat was originally supposed to be a spin-off of Phat Farm, Russell Simmons’ line of T-shirts, argyle sweaters, polos, and knits founded in 1992, but in women’s sizes. “I would never wear this,” Kimora said, looking at a shirt.
Baby Phat was on trend with the Y2K fashion of the aughts . The brand was visibly more inclusive than its contemporaries Juicy Couture, True Religion, and Ed Hardy, which served a very specific rail-thin white archetype. Not everyone looked like the It girls in, like Paris Hilton, Britney Spears, or Lindsay Lohan. In contrast, Kimora had gorgeous multiethnic features, shiny hair, and feminine curves.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Kim Cattrall strips down to shapewear in new campaign for Kim Kardashian’s SkimsThe star-studded campaign also sees Coco Jones, Hari Neff, Nelly Furtado and Lana Condor modeling the brand’s bestselling styles.
Read more »
Kim Cattrall, 67, strips down for Kim Kardashian's shapewear: 'Makes me feel confident''Sex and the City' star Kim Cattrall, 67, posed for Kim Kardashian's latest SKIMS campaign. The actress says the shapewear brand 'makes her feel free.'
Read more »
LIL RONNY MF AND NOVI SOPRANO LIVE IN CONCERT WITH DJ ELITELIL RONNY MF AND NOVI SOPRANO LIVE IN CONCERT WITH DJ ELITE Attention all twerkers, club goers and night life party people. Mr. 'Throw That Ass in a Circle' Lil Ronny MF will be live in concert performing his smash club hits with Novi Soprano. DJ Elite in the mix. $15 cover.
Read more »
Lil Tay Seen for First Time in Years, Following Alleged Death HoaxLil Tay seen for the first time in 5 years arriving at LAX with her mom and brother following her alleged death hoax.
Read more »
Lil Tay Explains Absence During Livestream, Slams Dad & Defends MomLil Tay torches her father in first livestream since retreating from the limelight 5 years ago.
Read more »
Danielle Bregoli Gets Heated, Brawls with Woah Vicky and Lil TayDanielle Bregoli confronted fellow social media star, Woah Vicky, to settle their smack-talking beef.
Read more »