Words by: DeWayne RogersPhotos by: Scott Hebert for Steed Media Service
Styling by: Christopher MannorHair by: Marcia HamiltonMakeup by: Jennifer Austin
“I don’t believe an accident of birth makes people sisters or brothers. It makes them siblings, gives them mutuality of parentage. Sisterhood and brotherhood is a condition people have to work at.” –Maya Angelou
The Beauty of the Bond
“Am I my brother’s keeper?” That line from the biblical account of Cain’s murder of his brother, Abel, epitomizes society’s general unwillingness to care for the welfare of others … that’s just the way things are in America. So as we continue to coexist as a melting pot of selfish personalities, it’s always refreshing to encounter those who still subscribe to an old school philosophy — a philosophy that unabashedly states “yes, I am my brother’s keeper” … or in this case, my sister’s keeper.
Enter Vanessa and Angela Simmons: two beautiful, poised, determined young women who wholeheartedly cherish their bond as sisters and as friends. That same bond has allowed the pair to step out of the looming shadow of their famous family name to cast their own successful lot in life.
Having first captured our attention on the hit reality show “Run’s House,” Vanessa and Angela used that exposure to not only create a successful fashion brand (Pastry), but they also launched their own television show, “Daddy’s Girls,” which is now in its second season on MTV.
When rolling out sat down with the pair to discuss their views on family, fortune and fame, their genuine bond was undeniable. As we tossed out a series of questions, the sisters readily jumped into this comfortable dialogue, where they instinctively spoke in the same rhythm and finished each other’s sentences. So instead of interrupting that flow, we’ve decided to present to you Vanessa and Angela Simmons uncut. Enjoy.
So how did you decide to become business partners?
Vanessa: I think that when it came down to it, it made the most sense to do business with my sister. Because at the end of the end of the day, I know that I can annoy her and she can annoy me, but we’re still sisters.
Angela: I think it kind of naturally happened. It wasn’t like we sat down and said, ‘hey, we should do business together.’ ”
Vanessa: Yeah, growing up we never really thought about it.
Angela: An opportunity just kind of fell in our laps for us to collaborate and do something together. It was a natural thing.
Vanessa: You know we used to build the Barbie houses together when we were little …
Angela: But you don’t think you are going to go from building Barbie houses to building a brand together.
Vanessa: Well, not at all, but we did that well, so why not take it here? We grew up under the same roof, so it makes sense. I understand her, and she understands me, and it works well.
Angela: But that doesn’t mean that we always make the same decisions.
Vanessa: Oh no, not at all.
Angela: We headbutt sometimes, but then we get over it.
Vanessa: Sometimes we just have to agree to disagree and then find some way to work it out.
Angela: Yeah, that happens a lot …
So what about your father and uncle? Do they ever try to inject their opinions?
Vanessa: We’ll still get interference from our dad and our uncle on what they think should be happening, but ultimately at the end of the day, they’re letting us make our own decisions and make [our own] mistakes. Sometimes, our dad will get scared and come in and be like, ‘Hey, I don’t think you guys should be doing that.’ And we respect his opinion, and we listen, but sometimes we have to say, ‘hey dad, you have to trust us on this one.’
Angela: For the most part, we make our own decisions, but there are times when we go to him and try to figure out what he would do in a certain situation. Now that doesn’t mean that we have to do what he says, but usually he’s right.Let’s talk about your family structure. Do you think it’s played a large part in your success?
Vanessa: I think that our family structure has definitely aided in our success. What people don’t see on the show is that we actually have four parents. My mother and father divorced when I was 10 years old, but we were lucky enough to have a great stepmother come in, and a great stepfather.
Angela: And we have more siblings than what people see on TV.
Vanessa: Right. So having a great family structure on both ends has really aided in our success.
Angela: But to me though, I don’t think that’s the only thing that can make you successful. Let’s say you don’t have a big family … you need to just cling on to the ones that you do have that are going to be there for you and give you advice — even if it’s just your grandmother. She will be there with you through everything. Some people don’t have the luxury of having a large family, but we just happen to have one and it’s definitely helped.
Vanessa: Love and support play a big role in people’s success. So you need to cling on to the people who do love you, who do support you, and who are going to be there for you.
What’s your definition of beauty?Vanessa: Beauty comes from within. I think that a person can be so much more beautiful when they have a great heart.
Angela: The most beautiful person in the world to me can be ugly when they’re not nice. I’ve been in situations where I see people and I’m like, ‘dang you’re so pretty, but your attitude just makes you [unattractive].’ So to me, beauty definitely has to do with your attitude and how you act towards other people. It’s really the total person, and if you have it, it changes my whole view of you.
Do you find yourself struggling with your ego as your fame increases?
Vanessa: Honestly, I think that the more I grow in this industry, the more humble I become.
Angela: I definitely have never gotten to the point where I was feeling myself. I can’t get to that point. I don’t know how people get to the point where they forget who they are, and they’re just caught up in beauty and everything else that the industry makes them out to be. I’m not focused on that. When you focus so much on your craft, how can you sit there and be all about yourself?
Vanessa: It’s OK to feel fresh when you put on a nice outfit in the morning.
Angela: Well, that’s one thing. You can make yourself feel good, but don’t overdo it.
