Don't Call it a Throwback: Baby Phat is Back!

I am old enough to remember the original Baby Phat. This brand was one of few that catered to curvier figures with denim that stretched across the hips of hippies kids to hip hop lovers, all baring a stitched slender kitten on the back pocket.

Kimora Lee Simmons (her name at the time) created Baby Phat in 1999, the feminine clothing, accessories, and footwear off-shoot of her then-husband, Russell Simmons’ fashion line, Phat Farm. However, when Kimora should have been praised for being way ahead of her time, she was locked out of mainstream fashion, while the brand she created the brand was labeled “urban,” (a very loaded label the industry forces upon Black designers despite their actual aesthetics).

It had been some time since Baby Phat was in the realm of discussion, but those of us who remember the brand’s original cool and curvaceous ways have been waiting with bated breath for Kimora Lee Simmons Leissner brand’s victorious and fashionable return since she announced that she personally purchased her streetwear label Baby Phat, with plans to relaunch come summer.

Mere short months later, reps just learned that the big relaunch includes a collaboration with Forever 21. That collaboration dropped this week.

The Baby Phat Forever 21 collaboration includes 18 clothing items, featuring the brand's signature cat, both stitched and jewel embellished, and all priced under $25. Everything is available in both straight and plus sizing.

Here's the full tea on the Baby Phat X Forever 21 collaboration.