Most families could learn a lesson from the Simmons-Hounsou family on how to celebrate the holidays in unity. They made blending families—and lifestyles—look effortless yesterday as they celebrated Thanksgiving together in Los Angeles. Russell, Kimora, Djimon, Ming, Aoki, Kenzo, and Kimora’s mother all had dinner under one roof with a spread that also took into account Russell’s vegan lifestyle, allowing him to indulge in to-furkey all to himself.

For some time now, Kimora Lee and Russell have appeared to successfully hold up their end of the shared-parenting bargain to make raising two daughters after divorce as drama-free as possible. They are often seen photographed together at various industry or family events, behaving like mature adults who at one time were in love with one another, and now, perhaps, remain good friends. It’s truly impressive to see Djimon amicably fall right in place as Kimora’s new partner and father of their son as well.

I remember graduating from college and my friends were impressed because while my father, ex-step father, and my mother’s current husband were all in one place to celebrate my accomplishment with me, their divorced parents could barely be in one room together without making snide remarks or overshadowing the reason for coming together in the first place. Blended families may not be ideal, and certainly aren’t always easy to navigate, but having a complex family doesn’t mean things automatically have to be complicated. What better way to demonstrate holiday cheer than by setting a good example for the little ones and allowing them to enjoy the time with all the immediate and extended family members that mean something to them, instead of making them choose where to spend their day and missing out on family bonding.

Check out more pics of the Simmons-Hounsou Thanksgiving on Global Grind.

Did you manage to get through Thanksgiving without any family drama? What’s your secret for handling the holidays as a blended family?

Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

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by Cynthia Wright

Kimora Lee Simmons has brought her love of the color pink and “fabulosity” to Manhattan Beach-based online accessories retailer JustFab.com. Simmons joined the online business as its new President and Creative Director. Late last week, it was also announced that the fashion-forward site secured $33 million in funding led by Matrix Partners with a co-investment from Technology Crossover Ventures.

Simmons, who also participated in the funding of the website is looking forward to the online retail move. With a Twitter following that she acquired through her work at Baby Phat and her TV show “Life in the Fab Lane,” she is no stranger when it comes to working the media to her benefit. To Simmons, this is venture is more about evolution; “I want to bring the fashion lifestyle aspect to everyone. … I’m on a journey with all these other women. We’re not teeny-boppers in the club anymore. This is the next element, and it’s more evolved.”

One look at the site and you understand exactly what she means. Now, there are several images of Simmons modeling off various shoes that can be purchased on the site. However, that is not the only trick she has up her designer sleeves. Recently, Simmons held a shoe-launch party for the fashion site. The bash was held in West Hollywood, where guests sipped on signature cocktails, while viewing the newest shoe and jewelry collections. For Simmons, this is just the beginning. “Photo shoots and runway shows—that will probably go on to be the same,” she told the LA Times. While, her current business operates solely in a digital environment, she plans to still be involved in all aspects of the sites production.

“Just because you’re viral, that doesn’t have to go away. I love to pick the models and be involved in the production, that’s part of my fashion brand and fashion legacy. I was the first person to broadcast [a fashion show] in Times Square,” she commented.

Justfab.com, is a members-only website that began in March 2010 and quickly racked up over 2.5 million members. The site offers its participants an accessory a month for $39.95. While the price would make any bargain hunter smile with excitement, the same could be said for any fashionista that stumbled upon the site. The shoes range from classic to eccentric, while the handbags seem to take inspiration from current trends. Along with that, Simmons is also adding a jewelry line that she designed herself, which is set to debut October 1st.

Members are matched to accessories by filling out an online personality quiz, which is then curated by a team of style experts led by celebrity stylist Jessica Paster. Another addition to the site is the ability for customers to skip months or buy additional items with their main purchase. However, what they offer in personalization and care is unmatched. Not only do customers receive a customized shoes and handbag boutique, they receive styling and outfit recommendations to complete their look from head to toe.

At under $40 and with Simmons at the helm, Just Fabulous just may be a force to be reckoned with.

Cynthia Wright is an avid lover of all things geeky. When she isn’t freelancing, she can be found on her blog BGA Life and on Twitter at @cynisright.

By Barbara Thau

Polo Ralph Lauren, anchored by its tony, classic-Americana aesthetic, and Louis Vuitton, marked by an unapologetically status-driven image with a touch of bling, are two disparate brands that have held consistent sway with the African American audience.

By contrast, Mark Ecko, the street wear and apparel line, as well as fashion brand Baby Phat, have lost their footing with the Black audience. So why have these two sets of fashion brands garnered different marketing results with African Americans, who, according to Diversity Affluence—a firm that helps brands market to the affluent ethnic audience—hold more than $100 billion in purchasing power?

While there are no easy answers, Polo Ralph Lauren and Louis Vuitton share a clearly defined style identity, a patina of authenticity and a timeless quality, brand experts say. By contrast, Mark Ecko and Baby Phat have lost their bite, and in some ways, have not evolved with their audience.“Both Louis Vuitton and Ralph Lauren have done an excellent job creating authentic, long-standing images that attract both high income and aspirational shoppers,” said Wendy Liebmann, chief executive officer and chief shopper of WSL Strategic Retail, a marketing consulting firm that works with manufacturers and retailers. “And I think that works for African American shoppers who are very interested in designer fashion.”

While Mark Ecko and Baby Phat would be defined as urban brands, Louis Vuitton and Ralph Lauren would not—but that doesn’t mean the latter two don’t appeal to a sophisticated, urban audience. Indeed, part of what defines an urban aesthetic is rooted in the richness of African American culture, said Amy Shea, executive vice president and director of brand development for Brand Keys, the brand consultancy. And while it might not seem so on the surface, that sensibility has something in common with luxury fashion brands. African American culture—which is really synonymous with urban culture— has “pushed the boundaries,” Shea said. “If you look at what urban culture really means, it stands for who exists on the edge of fashion, art and music. It’s about pushing against what’s happening now” to usher in the new—“and that’s what couture and luxury brands are all about,” she said.

Kids are always cute as a button as long as I can give them back to their parents.  Seeing celebrities with their children gives you a warm tingly feeling inside. In a weird way spotting celebrities and their toddlers humanizes them. Whether it’s Halle Berry grocery shopping with Nahla or Lala Vasquez and Kiyan supporting dad at his New York Knicks game, these celebs’ kids could not care less about the paparazzi. Their candid photos give a glimpse of normalcy behind all the cameras. And that makes them all the more adorable. Check out celebrities’ cutest kids.

by R. Asmerom

What is Baby Phat without its spokesmodel Kimora Lee Simmons? Kellwood Co., the parent company to the urban fashion line, is apparently optimistic about that answer. Ever since the epitome of ostentatious celebrity indulgence announced that she would be leaving Baby Phat to focus on other endeavors, news has been circulating that Kellwood Co. actually fired Lee Simmons, although that has yet to be officially confirmed by reps.

Even though Baby Phat represents one of the first urban female centered lines to hit it big after debuting in 1998, it has not been immune to the wear and tear that accompany the life cycles of many popular labels.

“The brand has performed consistently well for the last few years, but in my opinion is getting a little “long in the tooth,” said Kristin Bentz, a retail industry veteran who writes about consumer retail stocks. “Like Juicy Couture, it tapped in to a certain demographic at a key moment in time and capitalized on that, but when recession rears its ugly head that target consumer gets stretched, and the brand undergoes stress. Brands like Juicy and Baby Phat that are fun and frivolous, but not classic luxury brands, are great– until the tide turns.”

Lee Simmons spun off BabyPhat from then husband’s Phat Farm line and quickly began to make a name for herself outside of being a former model married to a media mogul.

In 2004, Kellwood Co. bought Phat Fashions from the Simmons for about $140 million, retaining Lee Simmons as its creative director. It wasn’t clear how much Lee Simmons continued to influence the fashion direction of the company since then but it was always clear how much of a role she played in the company’s promotional campaigns. She and her two daughters appeared in many of the advertisements and many speculate that it may have been her expensive shoots and fees to herself amidst budget concerns that led Kellwood to cut her off.

“Whenever you have these celeb-designer creative directors, appeasing them and their lifestyle is fine while the money is rolling in,” said Bentz. “But these are desperate times at retail, and company managements have to answer to every dime spent. So, it’s no surprise to me that Kellwood allegedly sent her Jimmy Choo’s walking. This is not new–Versace went through this, Valentino had huge issues with this with Permira. Its just the nature of creative leaders–they like excess. And unfortunately we are now in the salad days of retail.”

Kellwood was in the news for being in some financial trouble last year. Then, the company, which is a major supplier to department stores, was thought to be on the brink of bankruptcy as sales slumped amidst weak consumer confidence during the recession.

“Kellwood did have some “nail-biting” moments financially about a year ago until it worked out terms on an $140 million exchange of its notes with Deutsche Bank and other bondholders”  said Bentz, adding that the company has been getting more aggressive with key acquisitions as of late. “Typically its a positive sign when a company begins acquiring new brands, and Kellwood seems to be holding its own in an extremely Darwinian time in retail. With discounts the rule of the day, middle market brands are getting killed trying to compete as more aspirational brands lower prices to remain competitive.”

With Kellwood CEO Michael Kramer actually looking to “double [the company's] size in the next 6 to 9 months” it’s not clear whether Lee Simmons removal was a cost cutting measure or one involving creative concerns. While independent financial figures couldn’t be found for Baby Phat specifically, Kellwood was estimated to have generated $800 million in sales last year according to The Wall Street Journal. Whatever the case, Lee Simmons won’t be falling on hard times as she has several other ventures, including a reality series, apparel lines and a line of fragrances, to prop her up.

Some call it snap-back, others call it good genes, and there are those of us that know it’s all about hard work. But whatever way you slice it, all women want to get their body back–or an even better body–after having a baby. Celebrities seem to have an easier time bouncing back into shape with their flexible schedules, access to the best trainers, gyms and meal plans, but once in a while there’s a “real mom” who has to put in real time and effort to feel and look like herself again.

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Fashion designer Rachel Roy

Just because you’re a mom and you wear jeans doesn’t mean that you have to wear “mom jeans.”

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by Sheena Harrison

Beyonce’s musical talent made her an international superstar, and her House of Dereon line has turned her into a fashion mogul…

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