Ming Lee Simmons is making her mark on fashion. The daughter of Kimora Lee Simmons grew up immersed in the fashion industry, spending her early days on set with her mother. Now, Ming has her own credentials. She recently released a debut collection with retailer BooHoo, and is a muse to designers – sitting front row at several shows during New York Fashion Week.

This season, she stopped by the Dion Lee show – one of her favorite designers – for the CFDA member’s latest collection. We got ready with the rising fashion talent and heard more about her upbringing, attending the show, and her studies at NYU.

Tell us about your relationship with fashion. Was this an industry you always wanted to work in?

It’s no secret that my sister and I grew up immersed in the culture. I have vivid memories of shoots and campaigns and sketches from my mom’s work. But I also had other passions like animal rights and children’s rights. The importance of education was imparted to me on a daily basis.

I did always envision that fashion would play some role in my future, but I was never certain how or when or what that would look like.

How would you describe your personal style? 

One of my friends recently told me that my style is “eclectic but polished, sexy, and trend-conscious” and when she said that I felt like it was such a perfect way to describe my style. I like to mix and match different types of styles, but I always like to make sure that outfit is more myself and less just what is trending.

Who are some of your style muses? Where do you find inspiration?

I love looking on Instagram and recently TikTok for fashion inspiration. But of course style can be such a personal experience so I also like to just wear what makes me happy in the moment. A lot of my inspiration comes from travel. I’m back and forth between LA and NYC a lot as well as shooting in other countries, so I try to be a sponge and soak up different vibes.

What’s the best piece of fashion advice from your mother, Kimora? 

She always told us that a smile is the perfect punctuation to any fashion statement. Try to greet each day with a smile. Beyond that, just that it’s a valid mode of expression, as much as what you say, write, create. It can be a reflection of what you want to see in the world.

I know you’re also in your third of year at NYU. What are you studying and where do you hope to take your career looking forward? 

I’m currently studying at NYU Gallatin school of individual studies majoring in fashion business and consumer behavior. Consumer behavior is about so much more than insights and metrics. The psychology of what drives people’s purchases is a reflection of the way we live and what we want for ourselves; how we work with what we’ve got. I feel like I could study it forever and still have questions. It’s a unique proposition especially for my generation, I feel.

Tell us about attending Dion Lee! What were your thoughts on the collection?

Dion Lee is one of my favorite designers right now. I really like how he uses textures and cut outs to make each piece unique. I really like how every thing in this collection allows you to make it your own, I really feel like I could wear every piece of the collection in so many different ways.

Talent: Ming Lee Simmons

Designer: Dion Lee 

Makeup: Trevor Barrett

Photographer: Julia Kulik