Following in her mother Kimora’s footsteps, Aoki Lee Kyoko Simmons walks the runway with a purpose — and a lofty five-year career plan in hand. The 20-year-old model and classics scholar already made her New York Fashion Week debut while balancing a rigorous course load at Harvard University.
“I decided from a young age, I wanted to go to Harvard, Yale, or Princeton, much like Blair from ‘Gossip Girl,’” Simmons told HuffPost. “I do this thing where I’m like, ‘I want to have a plan.’ And everyone’s like, ‘Thank you for your 85th five-year plan.’ They’re like, ‘No model has an eight-year plan. Please calm down.’”
But with just five days until commencement, Simmons had yet to find a dress for the occasion. Between translating ancient Greek texts on final exams and celebrating her sister Ming Lee’s graduation from New York University, fashion got lost in the fray.
“I had dreams to set up this cute outfit and do all of this stuff, but it was during finals,” she said. “I wasn’t thinking about the fit prep for a graduation that was right after finals.”
In true Gen Z form, Simmons turned to the internet, scouring online retailers for her next option.
“I’m on REVOLVE like, ‘What two-day shipping dress do I think will maybe be cute?’ I have no shoes planned, I’m gonna do my hair and makeup myself and call it a day,” she said. “And I’m really happy I get a chance to say it so no one’s like, ‘The graduation look didn’t hit.’ I don’t think so, either. I didn’t plan it very well!”
Needless to say, Simmons’ graduation look from PatBo by Patricia Bonaldi was revered by many, garnering over 125,000 Instagram likes.
Although one thing may have slipped through the cracks, Simmons has a clear vision for the path ahead of her — and always has.
Daughter of hip-hop and entertainment mogul Russell Simmons and fashion icon Kimora Lee Simmons, she’s no stranger to the limelight, making cameos as a toddler in…
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