The model and star of Tommy Hilfiger's Spring/Summer 2023 campaign opens up about the excitement of NYFW.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/kimora-lee-simmons-baby-phat-family-kids" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Aoki Lee Simmons</a> is part of a <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/gen-z-y2k-millennial-90s-fashion-nostalgia" target="_blank" rel="noopener">new generation</a> of <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/models-fashion-brands-labels-collections-gigi-hadid-emrata-swimwear" target="_blank" rel="noopener">models</a>. Not only is she following in her mother Kimora Lee Simmons' footsteps, but she's a current <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/back-to-school-college-style-y2k-preppy-noah-rowing-blazers-rushtok" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Harvard</a> student (graduating in May) and the face of <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/tommy-hilfiger-usa-logo" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tommy Hilfiger</a>'s Spring/Summer 2023 campaign. While she's been spotted on <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion-week/nyfw-street-style-fall-winter-2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener">New York Fashion Week</a> runways this season, she also made time to attend a special Tommy Hilfiger dinner party at The Nines. As she begins her ascent to the top of the <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/highest-paid-models-in-the-world-kendall-jenner-gisele-bundchen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">modeling world</a>, L'OFFICIEL spoke to Lee Simmons about how she preps for NYFW, balancing school and a career, and her favorite piece she's taken from her <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/model-mom-daughter-twinning-moments-kaia-gerber-cindy-crawford" target="_blank" rel="noopener">mom</a>'s closet.

L'OFFICIEL: What's your favorite part of NYFW?
AOKI LEE SIMMONS: This entire week has been a career highlight! I walked for <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/kim-shui-fall-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kim Shui</a> which was exciting because it was my first time opening a show. The Tommy [Hilfiger] dinner party was fun; my bestie Natalia [Bryant] was there. If I had to pick a &ldquo;favorite&rdquo; though, maybe it&rsquo;d be the <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion-week/every-look-sergio-hudson-spring-summer-2022" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sergio Hudson</a> show because it was the first time my mom and sister got to see me on the runway. 
L'O: Do you have a morning or nighttime ritual to prepare for a long day of fashion shows? 
ALS: I try to practice my <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion-week/thom-browne-fall-winter-2023-runway-fashion-show-nyfw-looks" target="_blank" rel="noopener">runway</a> walk. I don&rsquo;t have a signature yet but right now I just try to catch a vibe for each show the night before and the day of in between <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/beauty/hair-trends-fall-winter-2023-runways-hairstyles" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hair</a> and <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/beauty/how-to-try-crystal-eyeliner-beauty-trend-euphoria-makeup" target="_blank" rel="noopener">makeup</a>. For the mornings, I like to <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/beauty/prevent-dry-skin-winter-skincare-tips" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ice</a> my face.
 L'O: What's your favorite thing to do/see when you're in NYC?
ALS: I feel like this answer is super cliche but &ldquo;WORK!&rdquo; I&rsquo;m just super grateful to be able to come here frequently for work, as of late. However, when I&rsquo;m not working I enjoy spending time in Brooklyn.

L'O: The other night at Sergio Hudson, your mom was in the audience to watch you walk. What's it like to follow in her footsteps? Has she been coaching you?
ALS: Funny...my mom was literally trying to coach me while I walked down the runway during the Sergio show. One time I walked by and she yelled, &ldquo; SHOULDERS!&rdquo; Since I&rsquo;ve started my career, my mom has given me a lot of helpful advice, but I also appreciate the amount of space she has given me to make my own way. I always laugh at the &ldquo;<a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/nepo-baby-celebrity-response-nepotism" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nepo Baby</a>&rdquo; conversation because it&rsquo;s not what most people think it is, for me. My mom is not [behind-the-scenes] making calls and pulling strings. She&rsquo;s allowing me to figure it out. 
L'O: What's the best advice your mom has given you?
ALS: "Don&rsquo;t fall!&rdquo;

L'O: You're currently a student at Harvard. How do you balance school + your modeling career? 
ALS: To be honest, it&rsquo;s tough being a full-time <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/pop-culture/celebrity-kids-going-to-college" target="_blank" rel="noopener">student</a> at Harvard and a working model. I join classes via Zoom in between shows and shoots. I try to cram studying and homework while waiting in lines at castings. My schedule during <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion-week/best-looks-nyfw-fall-winter-2023-runways" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NYFW</a> is like &ldquo;11 am..casting then 2 pm Latin.&rdquo; I&rsquo;m looking forward to graduating in May so I don&rsquo;t have to worry about being mentally in two places at once anymore. After Harvard, I plan to move to NYC and pursue modeling full-time! 
L'O: You're part of Tommy Hilfiger's Spring/Summer 2023 campaign, Classics Reborn. What are some of your go-to classics in your closet? 
ALS: I have this black <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/colorful-leather-spring-2022-fashion-trend" target="_blank" rel="noopener">leather</a> jacket that has been my go-to. I wear it to the airport, events, class, castings, call times... almost everywhere. If you follow me on social media you&rsquo;ll know exactly what I&rsquo;m talking about. I also really like this sweater that I was gifted from the Tommy x Miffy collection. It has a cute collegiate vibe to it.

L'O: Is there a "classic" piece that you've taken from your mom's closet and styled as your own? What was it and how did you wear it?
ALS: That black leather jacket I just spoke about? &hellip;It was originally my mom&rsquo;s. I&rsquo;ve worn it with a pair of <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/la-ligne-jeans-denim-line-selma-blair" target="_blank" rel="noopener">jeans</a> and combat <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/shopping/knee-high-boots-style-fashion-shopping" target="_blank" rel="noopener">boots</a>. I styled it with some Tommy Hilfiger slacks and bustier top when I moderated a panel for EssenseGirl&rsquo;s United Summit. It goes well with a nice <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/low-rise-maxi-skirt-fashion-trend" target="_blank" rel="noopener">skirt</a> also. Pretty sure it works with just about anything.

Photo: BFA / Matteo Prandoni.

How Aoki Lee-Simmons Gets Ready for NYFW With Tommy Hilfiger

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How Aoki Lee-Simmons Gets Ready for NYFW With Tommy Hilfiger

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