Fashion and hip-hop industry power couple Russell and Kimora Lee Simmons have partnered with diamond distributor M. Fabrikant & Sons to launch The Simmons Jewelry Co. Several lines of fine jewelry and watches
will be developed under the Baby Phat, Phat Farm, Def Jam, Kimora Lee Simmons, and Russell Simmons brands. The Simmons recently sold Phat Fashions L.L.C., which includes their Phat Farm and Baby Phat clothing lines, to Kellwood Co. for $140 million.The couple, along with a team of merchandisers, will design the jewelry, including a Red Carpet couture line featuring a signature-cut diamond. A moderately priced line is slated for the 2004 holiday season.
“We in the hip-hop community have set the styles and created the trends that helped make many other brand names successful,” Russell Simmons noted. “Teaming up and partnering with a company as solid and as reputable as Fabrikant on this venture will hopefully influence other African Americans to actively participate in businesses that they influence around the world.”