Choose Your Side

Sean John has created an interesting twist with its Fall 2010 line. The design direction this fall is themed "The Rivalry." This story begins much the same as all great conflicts throughout history. Two opposing forces that wage war for glory and respect on and off the “field”of battle. The privileged, the proper, the pure breed. Its collection consists of a "rivalry" between three warring factions: The Blue Bloods, The Crimsons, and Team Noir. Who's side are you on?

The Blue Bloods (above) are Sean John’s interpretation of what boat-shoe sporting gentlemen behind gilded Ivy League gates are wearing. Heavy on varsity jackets and plaid shirts, the Blue Bloods, “are the epitome of refinement and upper classicism.” Trained and molded to become the “elite.” Their focus lies on the purity of victory. This unwavering mindset creates an attitude of superiority that is admired by many, but hated by those that were not entitled.



The Crimsons are the antithesis of what the Blue Bloods portray. They stand for utilitarianism and purpose while adding their own unique touch. They’re the utilitarian, industrial-inspired revolutionaries with worn-in denim and worker plaids.The everlasting feud continues as battles are won and lost. Friends and foes become the fallen…until one day a handful of members grow a disdain for both sides and unite and give birth to what they call themselves Team Noir.

Team Noir takes both styles to their extremes and fuses the two sensibilities of clean and rough to create an ultimate style of dark chic, refined ruggedness and neo-classicism. This new and mysterious force makes them the new threat to The Crimsons and the Blue Blood and become the envy of all.

Spitting Image

Diddy has decided to get his family involved with his latest Sean John ads. It targets the younger market and advertises children's clothes. The new ad campaign features his son Christian Combs AKA Little Diddy. I wonder how Diddy’s seven other kids feel about this. Luckily for Christian he looks like a spitting image of his dad. These ads ran in various print publications in March 2009.

Seeing Green

Diddy is seeing green, and it's not money. The mogul is tuning in to his ecofriendly side by opening a series of Sean John pop-up stores that are built using recycled materials for the furniture and fixtures. The first green retail shop opened last weekend, a 2,500-square-foot space in Miami Beach that features an installation of ecofriendly furniture, which will remain open for the month of February. This is a new concept for the company, and is Diddy's attempt to make the green movement hip. After bringing his swagger to HSN, perhaps saving the world one recycled clothing rack at a time is just the next item on his agenda.

Awards and Success

Sean John has become a usual suspect at the prestigious award ceremony for the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) held annually in New York. For five consecutive years since 2000, Sean John has been nominated for its excellence in design. Sean John shares this distinction with an elite group of designers that include Marc Jacobs and Helmut Lang. In 2004, Sean John was awarded the CFDA Men’s Designer of the Year award.

In 2006, Sean John launched a signature fragrance, Unforgivable, that quickly became the best selling men’s fragrance in the country.

I admire Sean John and what Diddy has done with it so much because it is not just another celebrity line. Many celebrities are coming out with their own brands and are only successful because of their celebrity status. Sean John is a legit brand that has a lot to show for it. It is up there with all the big names. It has numerous runway shows and won awards for its excellence.

Origin of the Brand

Sean “Diddy” Combs has always incorporated his acute sense of style into every aspect of his life. In 1998, Mr. Combs decided to fulfill a life-long dream when he launched a signature collection of sportswear under his name Sean John. Mr. Combs created the line to fill a void in the market for well-made, sophisticated fashion forward clothing that also reflected an urban sensibility and style.

Since its launch, Sean John has enjoyed critical and commercial success with revenues now exceeding $100 million annually. Through the support of both the fashion community and retailers, Sean John has quickly grown from an urban label to an international brand.

To the right is a funny picture I found. Diddy has a stack of hundred dollar bills in his hand and holds up a $1 bill with a confused look on his face like he doesn't know what to do with it!