Sean John
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Sean John billboard over Times Square in 2008

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Sean John is a clothing and fragrance line founded by hip-hop mogul Sean John Combs, in 1998. The name is taken from Combs' first and middle given names.

People representing the brand include Combs himself, rappers such as T.I., Fabolous, The Game, Daddy Yankee (Reggaeton star), basketball stars including Dwyane Wade and Tristan Sooklal, plus models Tyson Beckford and Kevin Navayne.

In 1998, Combs decided launch a signature collection of sportswear under his name Sean John.

"I always had the idea that I would start my own apparel line, but I wanted to make sure the timing was right and that I had the time to devote to it," said Combs^{citation needed}. Since its launch, Sean John has enjoyed critical and commercial success.^{citation needed} Through the support of both the fashion community and retailers, Sean John has quickly grown from an urban label to an international brand.

Sean John has often appeared at the 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. In 2004, Sean John was awarded the CFDA Men's Designer of the Year award.

In February 2001, Sean John produced the first nationally televised runway show during Fall Fashion Week when it simultaneously aired live on E! Television and the Style Network.^{citation needed} During fashion week in February 2002, the New York Times ran a front page story on Sean John.^{citation needed}

The collection is separated into categories including Sean John Sportswear, Sean John Tailored, and Sean John accessories. Product categories include suits, knitwear, bottoms, outerwear, leather accessories, shirts, ties, hats, and denim. The products are inspired by Combs' image and reflect his personal style. The line is produced four times a year and is geared to boys and men ages 12 to 45. Distribution of the collection is targeted to department and specialty chain stores. It is also be available in the Sean John Flagship Store, which opened on Fifth Avenue and 41st Street in New York in September 2004. In 2006, Sean John launched a signature fragrance, Unforgivable, that quickly became the best selling men's fragrance in the country.^{citation needed}

On August 1, 2008, Dawn Robertson formerly of Old Navy, was named the president of Sean John.

Controversy

In October 2003, Combs was under intense media attention for using sweatshop labor to produce his clothing line. Among the accusations, originally put forth by the National Labor Committee (NLC), workers were subjected to body searches, fired if pregnant and paid sweatshop wages. Combs responded to the BBC that there would be a "zero tolerance" investigation at Sean John. He stated to a group of reporters, "I'm as pro-worker as they get."¹

In late 2006, MSNBC reported that Macy's had pulled from its shelves and its Web site two styles of Sean John hooded jackets, originally advertised as featuring faux fur, after an investigation by the nation's largest animal protection organization concluded that the garments were actually made from raccoon dog.² Combs, the label's founder, said he had been unaware of the material, but as soon as he knew about it, he had his clothing line stop using the material. In October 2008 Enyce was purchased by Sean Combs and the Sean John Enterprise for $20 million dollars.

References

External links

• Official site