Honestly, if you've ever seen Kimora Lee Simmons walk into a room—or even just seen her on a screen—the first thing you notice isn't the Chanel bag or the Baby Phat diamonds. It is the sheer, unadulterated height. She doesn't just enter a space; she looms over it in the most glamorous way possible.
But exactly how tall is Kimora Lee Simmons?
Depending on where you look, the internet gives you a few different numbers, but the most accurate consensus is that she stands at a towering 6 feet 0 inches (183 cm). That’s six feet flat without a pair of four-inch stilettos. Throw on the heels she’s famous for, and she’s easily 6'4" or 6'5". It’s a height that defined her career, but as she’s shared in plenty of interviews, it wasn't always a "fabulous" asset.
The St. Louis Years: When Being 6 Feet Wasn't Cool
Kimora grew up in Florissant, Missouri, and basically, she was a giant among children. By the time she was 10 years old, she was already 5 feet 10 inches tall. Imagine being in fifth grade and being taller than most of the dads at the PTA meeting. She’s been very open about the fact that she was bullied relentlessly. Kids can be mean, and they targeted her both for her height and her mixed heritage (her mother is Japanese and Korean, and her father is African American).
She felt like an "ugly duckling."
Her mother, Joanne Perkins, eventually got fed up with Kimora slouching to try and hide her height. She did what any proactive mom would do: she enrolled her 11-year-old daughter in modeling classes. The goal wasn't even to make her a superstar; it was just to get her to stand up straight and stop being ashamed of her stature.
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The Karl Lagerfeld Effect
It didn't take long for the fashion world to realize that what made Kimora "weird" in Missouri made her a "goddess" in Paris. At just 13 years old—still a literal child—she was scouted and sent to France.
Karl Lagerfeld, the legendary creative director of Chanel, became obsessed. He called her the "Face of the 21st Century." She became his "bride," the model who traditionally closes the Chanel Haute Couture shows in a massive wedding gown.
The industry at the time had a very specific standard for height, usually wanting girls between 5'9" and 5'11". Kimora, being a solid 6'0", was actually on the very high end of that spectrum. It gave her a presence on the runway that was impossible to ignore. She wasn't just another girl in a lineup; she was a statuesque force.
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Tall Genes: The Next Generation
If you follow Kimora on Instagram today, you know the height didn't stop with her. It’s actually become a bit of a family trademark.
You’ve probably seen her daughters, Ming Lee and Aoki Lee Simmons, following in her footsteps. Aoki Lee Simmons is famously 5 feet 10 inches tall, and she’s navigated a dual life as a Harvard graduate and a high-fashion model.
But the real "wow" factor comes from her son, Kenzo Lee Hounsou (his dad is actor Djimon Hounsou). In mid-2024, Kimora posted about his 15th birthday, casually mentioning that her "baby" is now 6 feet 7 inches tall. He’s over half a foot taller than his supermodel mom.
Why the Height Matters in Her Business
When Kimora launched Baby Phat in the late 90s, she brought that "tall girl energy" to the brand. She wasn't designing for shrinking violets. The clothes were loud, the campaigns were massive, and she was always the face of the brand, standing tall at the end of the runway.
She effectively turned her greatest insecurity—that 6-foot frame—into a literal empire.
Quick Facts on Kimora’s Stature:
- Exact Height: 6'0" (183 cm)
- Height at Age 10: 5'10"
- Height in Heels: Approximately 6'4"
- Comparison: She is several inches taller than her ex-husband Russell Simmons, who is roughly 5'9".
Living the "Tall" Life
Being 6 feet tall comes with its own set of logistical nightmares that people don't think about. Jeans are usually too short. Airplane seats are a struggle. People constantly ask, "Do you play basketball?" (For the record, she doesn't).
But Kimora has leaned into it so hard that she made "Life in the Fab Lane" a literal reality show. She taught a generation of tall girls that you don't have to shrink yourself to fit in. You just have to find a doorway big enough to walk through.
If you're someone who feels "too much" of anything—too tall, too loud, too different—take a page out of the Kimora Lee Simmons playbook. Stop slouching. The world will adjust to your height; you don't need to adjust to theirs.
Next Steps for Your Own Style:
- Embrace the Tailor: If you're tall like Kimora, off-the-rack clothes rarely fit perfectly. Find a local tailor to let out hems or adjust waistlines.
- Invest in High-Quality Heels: Don't be afraid to add more height. A good pair of platforms can actually be more comfortable than flats if you have high arches.
- Focus on Posture: Follow Kimora’s lead—confidence starts with the shoulders. Stand tall, even if you’re the tallest person in the room.