Pop Culture Blog: atlantamagazine.com

Posted 10/13/2008 3:07 PM

Guest blog: Diddy's Sean John celebrates ten years with Macy's fashion show and bash

(Entertainers and Musicians, Strictly Style)

Even when a social butterfly is feeling more like a slug, the calendar marches on. Thank goodness for talented colleagues. Here, a dispatch from Atlanta mag's Ciara Walker, featuring photographs by intern Kimberly Ehnes:

As part of a three-city tour (NYC, Atlanta, Miami), music icon and producer Sean “Diddy” Combs teamed with Macy’s Lenox Square last Thursday to celebrate the tenth anniversary of his clothing line, Sean John. The Atlanta celebration took place in conjunction with Macy’s 150th anniversary.

As I waited for Diddy's arrival, I couldn’t help but laugh to myself. Just three days prior, I was watching the finale of I Want to Work for Diddy with my mom (over the phone), and we were discussing how he comes off so arrogant on the show. Now, in a few minutes, I would be interviewing him.

Well, arrogant is far from how he came across during the interview. When I approached, he was doing baby talk with his daughter, Chance (oh, how cute!). Then, after making a quick phone call and doing a quick radio announcement with V-103’s Ryan Cameron, he sat down for a quick interview. Here’s what he had to say.

Ciara: It’s been ten years for Sean John. How do you keep your styles new and different?

Diddy: I think you always have to be pushing the envelope, and I think you have to be true to yourself. The thing about Sean John is we represent timeless fashion. We’re more for the grown and sexy—cats that’s out there gettin' money, ladies that’s out there gettin' money, and they’re looking for urban elegance, trying to be clean and sophisticated, yet still have that fashionable edge at the same time.

Ciara: How would you describe the fall and holiday collections we’ll see tonight?

Diddy: I would say we have a strong focus on cardigans as far as our knits and outerwear. I think it really exemplifies ten years of what Sean John has represented—it’s urban elegance, urban sophistication. It’s casual but at the same time it still has that swagger.

Ciara: You expanded Sean John for men with suits, accessories, etc. What is your vision for the women’s line?

Diddy: My vision for the women’s line is to be able to be the partner or the girlfriend of the Sean John man. You know, the Sean John man likes a woman who is fashionable, who also likes to be sexy but at the same time is into the quality and into the right fit. I would say that’s the best way to describe it—very fun clothes, very sexy clothes.

Ciara: So we [women] can look forward to some suits and things of that nature?

Diddy: Yeah, yeah! I think you’ll have a diverse array of things. I think that’s the thing we’ve been able to do with men's—we went from the block to the boardroom. And for women, too . . . we've got to give women something to wear when they’re kickin' it with their friends, but then also at nighttime when they’re tryin' to go out and party. And Sean John, we own the night.

Ciara: You have daughters now. Do you plan to do a line for young girls?

Diddy: Yes. I’m definitely gonna do a line for girls. Just me having daughters now has inspired me. That’s my daughter right there [points to daughter Chance]. And to be able to use them as muses is incredible.

Ciara: What are your favorite pieces for fall?

Diddy: I love when fall comes because I think we do the best outerwear. Not tryin' to be cocky or arrogant, but I think Sean John really does the best outerwear, and right now we have women’s outerwear that’s just flying off the racks.

Ciara: You’ve connected with Atlanta in many ways [opened restaurant, Justin’s, here; has home in Dunwoody]. What do you love about Atlanta?

Diddy: I would say what I love about Atlanta is just the people and the hospitality—love the energy, the diversity. It’s a place that when you’re here, it just feels good.

Ciara: What about the fashion here –what's your take on that?

Diddy: Aw man, the fashion is so diverse. You’re gonna see a little bit of everything here. I would say Atlanta has a certain flavor you can only find here.

Ciara: What projects are you working on for the near future?

Diddy: Right now it’s really just the next twenty years of Sean John. I’m also in the studio doing a new album. And I’m happy to say that we’re releasing our fragrance "I Am King" here with Macy’s in November and December.

Following the show was a performance by Atlanta-based Bad Boy recording artist Janelle Monae.

The fashion show highlighted men’s sportswear, boys’ apparel, and women’s outerwear. There was also a brief view of men’s underwear. Enjoy! —Ciara Walker