Vanessa and Angela Simmons

Vanessa and Angela Simmons

 Vanessa and Angela are the daughters of Joseph “Rev Run” Simmons, a founding member of the iconic hip-hop group Run DMC. All three star on the MTV reality series “Run’s House” with the rest of their family.

In 2006, Vanessa and Angela came up with the idea for feminine but sporty footwear, called it Pastry and launched in spring 2007 with 4 shoes. The line was a runaway hit and Pastry did over $15 million in 2007 sales. Clothing and handbags were added in spring 2008, and the line has been projected to bring over $50 million in total sales by year end.
Vanessa Simmons is the oldest daughter and oldest child. She grew up in the family home in New Jersey, and graduated from St. John’s University in 2007 with a degree in Communications.

In addition to being a footwear entrepeneur, she is also a Ford model and aspiring actress. She was #82 in Maxim Magazine’s “Hot 100″ 2006 list. In March 2007, she was featured in a national Verizon commercial and later was cast in a limited role as Lola on the CBS soap opera “Guiding Light“.

Vanessa takes acting very seriously. She recently bowed out from the Miss California USA competition to begin production on “Boogie Town“, a modern day hiphop West Side Story flick which takes place in a New York City of the future. The movie is due out in summer 2009.

Vanessa currently resides in Hollywood, CA with her sister Angela.

Angela Simmons is the second daughter and second oldest. She graduated from the High School of Fashion Industries and attended the Fashion Institute of Technology.

Angela is executive editor of Word Up! magazine’s subsidiary publication “Angela’s Rundown“. “Angela’s Rundown” is a monthly magazine targeting youths age 14-18 and cover teen issues, style, music, and fashion while offering fashion tips and in-depth celebrity interviews.

She was also featured in Bow Wow‘s video “Shorty Like Mine“. Rev Run confirmed she was dating Bow Wow in 2007 in his book “Take Back Your Family“.

In 2008, she and Vanessa were selected as one of BET‘s “Top 25 under 25″.

In January 2009, both Angela and Vanessa will star in their own “Run’s House” reality series spinoff, “Daddy’s Little Girls” set to air on MTV.

The Simmons sisters have several famous and accomplished relatives.

Russell Simmons, their father’s brother, is the media and fashion mogul who founded Phat Farm, Baby Phat and Run Athletics. He sold Phat Fashions (parent to Baby Phat and Phat Farm) in 2004 for a reported $140 million. Russell is heavily involved in philantrophic interests and political activism.  One of Russell’s best known philantropic activity is the launch of the Green Initiative Bracelets to support the Diamond Empowerment Fund which helps people to have a better life in Africa.

Kimora Lee Simmons, Russell Simmons ex-wife, is the creative founding visionary behind Baby Phat. She was recently promoted to creative director for the parent brand Phat Fashions and is said to have a very active role in design and marketing.  Kimora is also the mother of Angela and Vanessa’s cousins: Ming Lee and Aoki. Kimora Lee Simmons also has her own reality show titled “Kimora, Life in the Fab Lane“.

Daniel “Danny” Simmons, Jr is the oldest brother to Rev Run and Russell. He is an accomplished abstract painter and the creator of HBO’s TV series “Def Poetry“.