Baby Phat’s Back, Exclusively At Forever 21
While I was still weeding out the last of the 90’s flannel from my wardrobe, pink velour tracksuits became all the rage. The girls I saw weren’t wearing Kimora Lee Simmons’ Baby Phat tracksuits with the iconic cat logo, they were rocking an off brand from JCPenney, because them shits was expensive. But you would see some girls with the Baby Phat crop top they saved up for and probably kept in their school locker, because their mom wouldn’t let them out of the house looking like a Jr. hooker. Well, Baby Phat is back, and if you couldn’t afford it back then, you sure as hell can afford it now, because it’s being sold exclusively at Forever 21. Just in time for summer, Baby Phat for Forever 21’s downmarket, tight fitting polyester blends can give you a designer yeast infection, for just pennies on the dollar!
According to Vibe, Kimora announced the relaunch back in March claiming “it’s always been a family journey for me” and that her daughters Ming and Aoki Lee “will reportedly help her run the revamped company.” I hope she doesn’t give Aoki too much to do since she’s off to Harvard, on her own steam, mind you. Ming, Aoki and Kimora all posted this promo last night.
Here’s how Forever 21 teased the new line on Twitter.
what’s the buzz about tho 📟📟📟
✌️more days until the cat is back 🐱👀 stay tuned for 6/13~ ✨ pic.twitter.com/ngjSyxYS3m— Forever 21 (@Forever21) June 12, 2019
Apparently the pink Baby Phat phone was a trend that passed me by entirely. For those of you wondering how a mid-market designer brand translates to the trashiest retailer at your local mall, it’s by cutting corners. The collection is mostly just an assortment of generic bike shorts, bodysuits and crops tops with the Baby Phat logo slapped on them. But hey, at least it’s cheap!
@OfficialKimora @Forever21 these new #BabyPhat items are selling fast!!! pic.twitter.com/LLCNWl7gVr
— Megan Thrasher (@jamaicanmae) June 13, 2019
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𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝒸𝒶𝓉 𝒾𝓈 𝒷𝒶𝒸𝓀 🐱💎 Shop #F21xBABYPHAT available in-stores + online now! ✨ (shop link in bio)
That baby Phat collection is fucking horrible LMFAO there’s only a few things that look ok and the rest are the same F21 clothing they been selling, just threw KL name on it.
— D (@deeandraee) June 13, 2019
It was a smart business decision on Kimora’s part. Vibe says the company was acquired by the Kellwood Company back in 2004 for $140 million, and that Kimora stayed on as creative director until 2010. Bloomberg reports that “she recently bought the company back, without disclosing terms or the seller” so I guess she waited for the brand to devalue then swooped in just in time for a quick nostalgia fueled cash grab. I see you, Kimora. Well played.
Pic: Wenn.com