Style Book Review: Fabulosity

I recently finished reading Kimora Lee Simmons’ book, Fabulosity. After seeing her reality show on the Style network, Life in the Fab Lane, I was curious to know more about her style philosphy. I thought I’d share what I thought of the book, since I’ve been delving a lot into trying to transform my own style lately. Kimora has two fashion lines, Baby Phat and KLS, as well as her perfume and makeup lines. You have to give it to her, this woman has made her mark in a lot of different areas.

Basically, her book focuses on five key components: Confidence, Uniqueness, Independence, Luxury, and Generosity. She often gears her advice towards younger girls wanting to begin in the modeling scene, and pulls from her own experiences. The main items I zeroed in on were fashion and creating your own style, as well as the luxury aspects of living that “fabulous” life. There were ideas that were eye-openers to me, such as personal branding…a signature style that is all you, and claiming your space. I have spent so much time trying to be small and not to take up space, that this was a real lightbulb for me. By claiming your space, you announce your worth. I think this is heavily tied in with your personal style, by taking care to look your best you announce your worth to the world and to yourself.

For claiming your space, she advises the following:

• Heels, heels, heels. My motto: Four inches, no less.
• Carry an extra large bag in cherry, emerald, or orange – not beige, not camel, and definitely not black.
• Wear a dramatic coat that almost demands someone help you take it on and off.

Kimora discusses various aspects of her business as well as the modeling business. Since I am primarily addressing my work attire currently, how to dress professionally, and yet stylishly, is definitely a concern for me. She gives a few tips on dressing for success, such as

• More skin=less power. Find other ways to say “fabulous” other than exposing lots of body, such as interesting silhouettes, sparkling accessories, and shoes that make heads turn.
• Get creative with conservative dress codes. If you’ve got to wear a suit, see it as a blank canvas on which to express your style. Wear a feminine cami-top underneath in a vibrant color, add a striking pin to the lapel, or cheat the rules with a softer cardigan-style top paired with a pencil skirt (very 1950s chic).
• Scuffed, banged up shoes are an instant image-buster. Keep those shoes maintained and know when to downgrade them to weekend status.

And finally, Kimora’s Fabulosity Five-Point Fashion Manifesto:

• Style is a form of self-promotion.
• Developing a style is like your brandmark; it’ll get you noticed and remembered.
• Fashion bestows authority and power on the wearer: dress to impress, and you’ll be taken seriously.
• Great style says, “Here I am! Pay attention to me!” I value myself enough to put effort into this, and you should too.
• Style is individual. Style is subjective. Nobody can grade you on it.

I enjoyed this book and it did cover a whole lot more than just fashion (finances, business, giving back, etc.) I definitely learned quite a bit from the book, and realized that developing my own style, be it in the way that I dress, or the way that I decorate my home, is all about appreciating and sharing who I am. It is about showing the world that I value myself, and that I’m worth paying attention to and getting to know.