Kimora Lee Simmons: Philanthropista
“Life in the Fab Lane” does not typically involve a Prius. But that might be about to change. Photo KLS.com.
Businesswoman, author, producer, television personality, Tony award winner and—oh, yeah—supermodel, Kimora Lee Simmons is, according to Forbes’ magazine, one of the top 10 “hardest working mothers in Hollywood.” Top 10 environmentalists? Not so much. Although she donates ample time and money to philanthropic charities and seems to have given up on fur—she now describes herself as “friends with PETA”—Kimora’s not making Planet Green’s top ten list any time soon.
The girl travels by Rolls, not Prius.
But an early preview of a February 13th episode of The Style Network’s top-rated show “Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane,” in which the former muse of Karl Lagerfeld created a fundraiser for Dress for Success—one of EcoStiletto’s favorite out-of-the-box, non-eco focused incarnations of the “reduce, reuse, recycle” philosophy (they’re our partner the Green Girls Night Out at Kimpton Hotels 2011 Tour) got me thinking. Just like she’s predicted fashion and lifestyle trends (and then built an empire around them), could Kimora’s view of eco-consciousness—in which it’s just another facet of a bigger and constantly changing picture, rather than a be-all, end-all philosophy of a dyed-in-the-organic-wool sustainabully—be the future of green? Part One of Four.
Rachel Lincoln Sarnoff: I understand that on a recent episode of “Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane” you worked with Dress for Success. Can you tell me more about your experience with the organization?
Kimora Lee Simmons: I knew I had to get involved because we stand for the same thing: Moving women forward. It’s about dusting yourself off and taking that next fabulous step forward.
Kimora Lee Simmons talks fabulosity with the Dress for Success crowd. Photo: Brandon Hickman for The Style Network.
RLS: Dress for Success inherently promotes the basic tenets of sustainability: reducing, reusing and recycling. Was this a part of your decision to get involved?
KLS: Everything that can be passed along should be. Donation is a way of life for me and my family: Clothes, furniture and toys—all of them get passed along to someone who needs it more.
RLS: Between the series and your work in fashion, you must be incredibly busy, yet you spend a lot of time on philanthropy as well. What drives you to give?
KLS: I’ve always given back and donated time to worthy causes. I like to speak up and speak out for people whose voices may not be as strong as mine.
RLS: What are some other organizations that you support, which our readers should know about?
KLS: I’m friends with PETA, I love my friends at Make A Wish—we recently shot an episode of “Fab Lane” with them, helping two little girls achieve their dream of walking in a fashion show. Also ASPCA, amfAR and many others.
Kimora Lee Simmons at Dress for Success on “Life in the Fab Lane.” Photo: Brandon Hickman for The Style Network.
Want more? Our exclusive interview with Kimora Lee Simmons covers giving, parenting, eco-fashion and eco-sins. Check back here next week!
