Kimora Lee, the one-time Chanel muse; doyenne of the mid-2000s staple, fashion label Baby Phat; ex-wife of Def Jam founder Russell Simmons; star of the now-defunct reality TV program Life In the Fab Lane; and alleged relevant designer with an eponymous line, has been forced to deny that she is an accessory (pun always intended, baby) to Malaysia’s 1MDB scandal.
Last week, the NY Post (writers of such poetic headlines that include, and are not limited to, “Headless Body in Topless Bar” and “Osama Bin Wankin’: It’s Whora-Bora – porn found in Laden’s foxhole”) reported that Lee may have been a beneficiary of ill-gotten 1MDB gains. She is the wife of Tim Leissner, the Goldman Sachs banker, who is embroiled in accusations that he sold bonds for 1MDB at “exorbitant fees” that netted him millions.
The 1MDB scandal has never strayed far from the headlines over the last two years, and has become the bane of the government’s existence. It will occasionally rear its ugly head, like an out-of-place fur collar on a Baby Phat gilet, circa 2004. An unwelcome reminder of past decisions, and one may imagine, later-day regrets.
Lee’s involvement came into question after investigations by the FBI looked at her husband’s links with the scandal, and questioned the provenance of the funding for her new label. Her brand is not sold in department stores, and is only available to buy at a single Beverly Hills boutique. A top will set you back over RM2,000. Don’t worry fashionistas, you can also find it online.
However, the economics of such an arrangement are widely described as unsustainable, with the NY Post describing that it “can’t be profitable, no matter how beautiful her designs are.”
The FBI continues its investigation, while Lee told the LA Times “I’ve been around for quite some time. I’m an old lady so I’ve always been self-sustaining, self-funded.”
Great, now that we’ve cleared that up – Kimora, brilliant idea for a new series if the FBI continues looking into your dealings: Kimora: Life in the Fed Lane. Call me, let’s talk.
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