Ming Lee, daughter of Kimora Lee Simmons and Russell Simmons, may still be in high school but the seventeen-year-old is definitely destined to follow in her mother’s footsteps on the runway.
Having recently walked in her mother’s Spring/Summer 2018 fashion show on the last day of NYFW, the young Simmons sat down and chatted with Teen Vogue about everything from school to balancing her budding career.
Check out an excerpt of the interview below of what the eldest Simmons daughter had to say. To read the interview in its entirety, click here.
TV: It’s so fun that you have been a part of your mom’s collections your whole life!
ML: It’s always nice working with my mom. . I think that it’s always good when my mom let’s me have a little bit of creative direction and she listens to me. I think she’s really developed and changed her style, and every time she changes she inspires the world in a different way. It’s really inspiring to me to see that as a young lady growing up.
TV: Do you think modeling is something you’ll stick with?
ML: I’ve done a few shoots recently. They’ve all had a different feel and I like switching it up. Right now, I’m really focused on enjoying my senior year of high school and planning for college – SAT prep, clubs and organizations – and just finishing strong. My mom and I look at projects and see what makes sense from a timing perspective and what we think would be fun opportunities to collaborate with visual artists whose work I like a lot: photographers, stylists, hair and makeup artists. It’s something I’d like to continue to do.
TV: What are your plans for after high school?
ML: I’m definitely planning on going to college. School is my number one focus right now. I’m going to do Pre-law in college and then I’ll have time to do creative things on the side. I’m looking in California and in New York City and those are the only two places. I’m going to try to work with my mom and model because I’m really passionate about it, but school always comes first.
TV: Will you work on your mom’s line eventually?
ML: For as long as I could speak, I’ve definitely share my opinions with my mom. I did it back when I was younger on Baby Phat and Baby Phat Girlz. I do it now with her Kimora Lee Simmons line, too. I’m always pushing her to add a little more edge. . If I was going to make my own label I would always start with my mom first. I definitely will always work with her in some capacity.
TV: How would you describe your personal style?
ML: I have more of a relaxed, athletic vibe with a little bit of edge. I’m fascinating with how athleisure is evolving. This ostrich feather dress I’m wearing is my favorite item from the new collection—It’s definitely me on the inside. I usually try to go with the sporty side of things because it’s really comfortable and it’s fashionable now, so why not?
TV: How do you dress for school?
ML: For school, we have a uniform, which has it’s pros and cons, but I try to stand out with my hair or my shoes.
