Renaissance woman Angela Simmons knows a thing or two about fashion. The 27-year-old entrepreneur from Queens, New York, was editor of her own mini-magazine that specialized in teen fashion and music. She and her sister, Vanessa Simmons, also launched Pastry Footwear: a line of brightly colored athletic shoes inspired by their favorite pastries. Whether she's curating looks for herself or others, her enviable style is eye-catching and fashion-forward. She just doesn't do boring. Neither do the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters, who win over crowds with their family-friendly act and jaw-dropping athletic skills.
Celebrating 90 years of history, the iconic team tapped the multi-hyphenate celebrity to produce a commemorative fashion collection at the annual KIA STYLE360 showcase during New York Fashion Week. The native New Yorker and self-proclaimed sports fan jumped at the opportunity.
We went behind the chaotic and sometimes not-so-glamorous scenes of fashion-show planning with the designer to get a peek into a day in the life of Angela Simmons.
Wake Up And Work Out
My usual wake-up time is 6 or 7 a.m. I get my day started with prayer. I keep a Bible near my bed. I'm also currently reading "Destiny," by T.D. Jakes. I usually open his book to a random page, and meditate on that message for a few minutes. Then, I put on music to get me energized for my day. Right now, I have Beyoncé on repeat. But, it usually varies. From Kendrick Lamar to Rihanna, as long as it motivates me for the day or week, I'm good.
Here, it's about 8:30 a.m., which means it's time to get in a workout! Whether I'm traveling or home, it doesn't matter. I dedicate at least 60 minutes of my day to fitness before I start anything.
Boxing Or Bust
I started training with Coach Nelson from Supreme Team Boxing about two years ago. I'm obsessed. I like to mix it up with Pilates, yoga and strength training, but boxing is the foundation of my fitness regimen. It keeps me challenged mentally and physically, whereas other fitness methods eventually bore me. Plus, Coach Nelson is pretty cool to train with. He's tough on me, especially when we get in the ring and spar, but I respect that about him. I like to be pushed, and he definitely doesn't hold back!
I Love New York
Sometimes I go to Coach Nelson's gym, but today we're training on the rooftop of my building. The aerial views of NYC are amazing! I'm from Queens and am so energized by this city, especially after living in Los Angeles for seven years. L.A. has its positives, but there's just something extra special about New York. It's definitely a driving force for me. Living in the city again makes me want to get up, get it done, grind, and all that stuff that makes New York so great. Also, having NYC's landscape as a backdrop, and a workout partner like Cheese, from the Harlem Globetrotters, motivates me to take my workout to the next level!
Feel The Burn
I love running the stairs. It's great cardio, strengthens my lower body, and tones the booty -- gotta keep my curves! It doesn't take long to feel the burn, which I also love. Plus, stairs are virtually everywhere, and that makes it easy for me to incorporate them into a workout no matter where I am in the world.
Practice Makes Perfect
I practice a healthy lifestyle and surround myself with positive people. I believe being positive and doing positive things only brings better back to you. If I were out doing the wrong things, I know I'd be in a much different situation. And successfully doing a headstand isn't any different. I admit the thought of balancing all of your body weight on your head is scary at first, especially on the concrete of my building's rooftop. (Don't worry; I padded my head with a T-shirt.) But I trust myself because I've made a healthy investment of practice, time and discipline into my body. And in return, I've developed a trustworthy relationship with my body. It's this mindset that keeps me grounded in every aspect of my life. It sounds corny, but practice really does make perfect. When you focus and truly put your mind to something, you'll be shocked at what's achievable.
Change Clothes And Go
At noon, after a quick shower, and hair and makeup session, it's time to head to the office and prep for today's model fitting for the Harlem Globetrotters 90th Anniversary Collection Fashion Show that I'm designing. I usually eat a protein smoothie or egg whites after working out, but today I had someone grab me a lentil soup when I got to the office.
I have a very petite boutique team but it's perfectly efficient for now. Pictured in my office with me are Katrina Jefferson (right) and Mercedes Mimran (left). Katrina is my logistics manager and right-hand woman. She's constantly on the go with me and helps me organize my multiple businesses and projects. I'm also taking one class a week at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), and also studying French. I want to build an orphanage in Haiti and learning French will help me communicate with the kids better. Anyway, Katrina helps me manage all of that and then some. If you see me, chances are you'll see her too. And Mercedes, at the computer, is helping me produce the fashion show. Both are essential members of my team!
You Have No Idea
The show is just days away but the creative process is never-ending. At some point Mercedes, my designer Duckie Confetti (left), stylist Kanayo Ebi (not pictured) and I have to commit; but right now there are still so many loose ends. Finalizing designs (colors, fabrics, patterns, lengths), styling, hair/makeup and music -- so much! Trust me when I tell you, you think you know, but you have no idea.
Ninety Looks Good On You
The Harlem Globetrotters have an iconic brand that stretches beyond New York. They have 90 years of history bringing the world joy. Ninety years! I wanted to honor their legacy by not straying too far from their brand identity. The collection will include a lot of red, white and blue because that's the team's colors. But, I also wanted to add some fun elements to the collection. You can expect sequins, jersey dresses, mesh and some cotton pieces too. Some pieces are runway. Some are street. How women respond will really depend on whether they have a bold sense of style, or something subtler. Regardless, I think there's something for everyone. .
Do Your Best And Forget The Rest
Today is the first day I'm seeing actual samples from the collection. And some of the pieces are too short for the models. So, we have to remake all of the garments with fit issues in the next couple of days so the models have something to wear down the runway. But I've done enough fashion shows to know this is all part of the process. No matter how much time you dedicate to creating a collection, it's never enough -- even the most renowned design houses experience these challenges.
Tomorrow I'll meet with Duckie again so we can evaluate everything. Honestly, I wasn't satisfied today, but that's to be expected. I take pride in everything I do, no matter what it is. When I was younger, my dad (Reverend Run of rap group RUN DMC) used to tell me, "Do your best and forget the rest." It's such a simple saying, but it still resonates with me today. I will continue to push myself with this collection until my best is reached. I can't help it. It's the perfectionist in me!
Basketball Signing
Hello, 5 p.m.! After grabbing soup on the go (yes, again) and fueling up for the next part of my day, it's time to check in at Maxim magazine's office to sign 75 Harlem Globetrotters commemorative basketballs with Cheese, who has balled with the Globetrotters for six years. Everyone who sits in the front row at the show will be gifted with a ball signed by Cheese and me. Pretty cool, right?
As I'm signing, I'm thinking, "I love my name, Angela Renee Simmons ... but whoa, that's a lot of letters for 75 basketballs!"
What An Honor
The collection is primarily for women, but it does include three men's looks. Which is why it was great to hang with Cheese while developing the collection. He provided insight into a male basketball player's lifestyle that I applied to the collection. Being an NBA fan, and native New Yorker, designing the Globetrotters' jersey is definitely a cool experience and honor for me.
Now that all of the balls are signed, the only thing left is to pose for a pic!
Inspiration Is Everywhere
Remember I said the creative process never stops? Well this is a perfect example of that. One look at these basketballs and I knew we had to incorporate them into the show. Sprinkling them throughout will be a nice touch, but having each girl walk out with one for the show's finale will be a lot of fun.
Someone will have to blow up all of the basketballs before they arrive at the venue, though. Deflategate has already caused enough headaches for people. I don't need those problems too.
Shana Renee is the founder and editor-in-chief of All Sports Everything and a passionate New York Jets, Knicks and Yankees fan. Follow her sports talk on Twitter at @ItsShanaRenee.