By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices
Reality TV cuties Vanessa and Angela Simmons is keeping up the family tradition with the release of their footwear line, Pasty.
First their uncle Russell Simmons blazed the trail with Phat Farm and its accessories, which includes footwear, and fragrance. Their aunt Kimora Lee Simmons came soon behind with her best-selling namesake brands. And their father helms his own footwear company, Run Athletics.
For those who don't know, the two young ladies, ages 19, and 23, who appear on MTV's hit series 'Run's House,' are the two beautiful daughters of renowned Run DMC frontman Rev. Run.
Through Run Athtletics, Pastry has been hatched -- or baked up.
The initial line that debuted just a few weeks ago is The Cake Collection, an offering of colorful, mid-priced athletic-inspired shoes designed for stylish young ladies, carrying tasty names such as Chocolate Mousse (brown with pink highlights), Strawberry Shortcake (pink with white highlights), Red Velvet (red with white highlights) and Sprinkles (white with small multi-colored dots).
The footwear is packaged in boxes pictured with a ribbon, ala a pastry purchase.
How adorable.
The line initially debuted via Underground Station stores and website, as well as selected retailers nationwide.
According to spokesperson Mary Moore, in June the addition of a fifth design to the Cake Collection – Lemon Meringue – will see the light of day. It's a brightly colored shoe in tones of yellow.
On May 1, the girls will celebrate the launch in New York City with a daytime stop at Brooklyn's Dr. Jay's Ladies and a nighttime soiree at hotspot Ultra.
More on the girls:
Vanessa is the oldest child in the Simmons family; she's enrolled at St. John's University, with a Business Communication major, and is due to graduate in the Fall. A Ford model and aspiring actress, Vanessa was recently featured in a national Verizon commercial, and was named one of 'Maxim' magazine's "Hot 100" for 2006.
Angela is a fashionista, who attends the prestigious Fashion Institute of Technology. She appears in rapper Bow Wow's 'Shortie Like Mine' video and also recently launched a new teen magazine called 'Angela's RunDown,' which covers music, fashion and style.


Comments: (465)
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By: kecia on 5/01/2007 7:56AM
I think they will be very sucessful because the shoes look really cute and i think they will sell pretty good.
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By: VERA JOHNSON on 5/01/2007 7:59AM
for WuninThaNo and sistermalcolm : the only thing I have to say to you two is: Please stop being stupid!!! If you both cannot write something positive, go somewhere and sit your uneducated selves down!!!!!!
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By: Storm on 5/01/2007 8:06AM
CONGRATS!! LADIES Watch your families show all the time, and stay in school, Can't wait!
What an inspiration to Young women everywhere!!
Wunin ThaNo -YOU CAN'T EAT THE SHOE GET OVER IT!!
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By: Josephine Crawford on 5/01/2007 8:08AM
I think the Rev. and Justine did a very good job in raising their kids. As a mother and grandmother who raised children in Brooklyn, I could tell that the kids are well grounded and don't act like spoiled brats. Girls congratulations on this project and remember always keep God first. You'll never go wrong. Good work Justine you are a good role model.
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By: Mrs. Marcella Thomas on 5/01/2007 8:17AM
Congrats!!! Ladies on your new line of foot wear. Hope your foot wear make it to Shreveport, LA real sooon.Once again congradulations!!!!
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By: Michelle on 5/01/2007 8:19AM
I love you girls, you are an inspiration to young black women.Your parents did a great job they are to be applauded. I love the family show Run's House. It's refreshing to see young positive people doing their thing and having fun but being discplined accordingly. Don't stop what you do girls just do what you do baby!!!
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By: don on 5/01/2007 9:09AM
those are some hot shoe
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By: masina on 5/01/2007 8:25AM
Congratulations young ladies!
I must agree, introducing the sneakers with the cake is a wonsderful idea. It caught my eye right away.
The sneakers are beautiful and feminine.
God bless you girls.
Your business is going to bloom like flowers.
Keep up the good work.
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By: Renee on 5/01/2007 11:46PM
Looking pretty ... Thanks ladies for your tasty foot fashion. Wearing this shoe will give youth and ladies an attractive edge. Can't wait for you girls to release pasty shoe line in infant and toddler. I would like to purchase the shoe also in a bright orange and green.
Keep The Prayer Wheel Spinning!
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By: Ari' Christina on 5/01/2007 8:26AM
PRAISE THE LORD!!! AS A YOUNG ASPIRING MOGULISTA MYSELF I WANT TO SAY CONGRATS TO THE LOVELY LADIES OF PASTRY! ITS SO AWESOME TO HAVE TWO RESPECTABLE, CHRISTIAN AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN IN THE FOREFRONT DEFYING THE STEREOTYPES AND BREAKING DOWN THE BARRIERS! I AM TOTALLY AN ADVOCATE OF BLACK GIRL POWER, SO I WILL DEF. BUY A PAIR OF STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE AND SPRINKLES! FINALLY, SOME TENNIS SHOES FOR THE GIRLY GIRL ;) PEACE AND INCREASE MY SISTAS, ROCK ON!
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