Phat Farm

Phat Farm is a clothing brand that was founded by Russell Simmons in 1992.^[1] Phat Farm was known for its bold and colorful designs that married classic preppy style with hip-hop culture.^[2]

History

Phat Farm was established in 1992 by Russell Simmons, co-founder of Def Jam Recordings.^[1] The brand was initially a men's clothing line and sold clothing items such as T-shirts, jeans, and jackets.

The brand's early success was attributed to its association with hip-hop culture, which was growing in popularity at the time.^[3] Phat Farm became a recognizable name in urban fashion and expanded its product offerings to include women's clothing as well.^[4]

In 2004, Phat Farm was sold to the Kellwood Company for a reported $140 million.^[5] Despite the change in ownership, the brand continued to develop and remained popular with hip-hop fans and urban fashion enthusiasts until 2010, when the excess of early 2000's popular culture became passé.^[6]

Legacy and future

Phat Farm's popularity began to decline in the late 2000s as the urban fashion market shifted away from excess towards more minimalist and streetwear-inspired styles.^[7] In 2007, Simmons announced that he would be stepping down as CEO of Phat Fashions, the parent company of Phat Farm, to focus on other business ventures.^[8] In 2002, former wife and business partner of Russell Simmons, Kimora Lee Simmons, reacquired the Phat Farm label. In the holiday season of 2022, Phat Farm was relaunched as part of a capsule collection with American fashion retailer Forever 21.^[9]