According to a People Exclusive Aoki Lee Simmons is exploring a new romance with restaurateur Vittorio Assaf.
The 21-year-old model is dating the 65-year-old founder of Serafina Restaurant Group, PEOPLE can confirm.
“Aoki and Vittorio are spending time together and enjoying each others’ company,” a source close to Aoki tells PEOPLE, adding that the couple met while vacationing in St. Barths, a favorite Simmons’ family travel destination.
Aoki, the youngest daughter of model and mogul Kimora Lee Simmons, 48, and entrepreneur Russell Simmons, 66, is following in her mother’s footsteps in the fashion industry.
Since childhood, she’s modeled for her family’s Baby Phat line and Just Fab, and in 2021, Aoki made her runway debut modeling for Pyer Moss Paris Couture.
She’s gone on to grace the covers of Teen Vogue, Rollacoaster and Flaunt and has been featured in outlets such as Vogue, Huffington Post, The Cut, Essence and Complex.
Aoki has also worked with top fashion houses including Tommy Hilfiger, Michael Kors, Dolce & Gabbana, Monse, Lacoste, Tory Burch and Kate Spade.
On April 3, 2024, Aoki was announced as the star of BCBG’s campaign for the brand’s new capsule, BCBG New York.
Now Kimora Lee is trending
I also do not like “she get it from her mama” comments about Aoki because Kimora was the victim in that situation too so let’s not do THAT! pic.twitter.com/SPqtlq7oi8
— Harlem Girl From The Block (@mahogany_mamii) April 5, 2024
and
Kimora. Go get that baby.
— Martha Steward (@_Tamsey) April 5, 2024
and
Kimora kinda be too loud about everybody else business for all that to be happening. pic.twitter.com/w2HSqvUj8D
— Beige Rage (@cee_pain) April 5, 2024
and
Kimora was fully wrapped up in that drama with the Kardashians and Jordyn when she should’ve been minding her own home https://t.co/dhbyXfVWsR
— The Original Lisa Vandercunt (@robinwannabefly) April 5, 2024
and
And my thing is, yes Kimora started dating Russell way too young but they are 18 years apart. This is a FOURTY FOUR year age difference. He could damn near be her grandfather
— T (@tleighmedia) April 5, 2024
and
definitely Kimora’s child . https://t.co/n3FCTZcbwP
— ICYESTTWAT (@FUCCl) April 5, 2024
and
Now Kimora Lee …. pic.twitter.com/UY9rEFctE0
— 3:14 : Kru Gal Official (shop with me )✌???? (@ZoyaNoah) April 5, 2024
Who is Vittorio Assaf
Vittorio Assaf is an entrepreneur and restaurateur, best known as one of the co-founders of the popular Italian restaurant chain Serafina.
He co-founded Serafina in 1995 along with his business partner, Fabio Granato. The restaurant chain has expanded globally, with locations in major cities around the world, including New York City, Miami, Dubai, Tokyo, and São Paulo.
Vittorio Assaf’s role in Serafina has been instrumental in establishing the brand as a well-known and successful restaurant franchise.
