Coty Signs Licensing Agreement With Baby Phat To Develop Fragrances

Coty Inc., New York, as signed a U.S. licensing agreement to develop and market fragrances underthe Baby Phat by Kimora Lee Simmons brand. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

This is the first fragrance partnership that Baby Phat brand has entered. The successful ‘urban’ hop-hopbrand, led by the husband and wife Russell Simmons and Kimora Lee, has become established in music,publishing, lifestyle and fashion. Executives said it has successfully combined street culture with styleand celebrity to appeal to a wide-based youth audience. These values will be echoed in the productsdeveloped under its banner in a range that will initially be sold in the U.S., Coty said.

“Baby Phat is very much a brand of the 21st century,” said Bernd Beetz, chief executive officer, Coty Inc.”The Phat Farm and Baby Phat by Kimora Lee Simmons license, is another example of the way that weare able to succeed and build great brands by moving faster, thinking more freely and taking our ideasfurther.”

While the apparel and licensing company is now owned by Kellwood Co., following an acquisition inJanuary 2004, the Simmons’ retain the right to the Phat Farm and Baby Phat brands in conjunctionwith fragrances and cosmetics.