Sean John

The brand Sean John was launched in 1998 by popular hip hop icon Sean John 'Diddy' Combs. November 4, 1969, Combs was born and grew up in Mount Vernon, just north of the Bronx. He began his multifaceted career as an intern at NYC's Uptown Records. In 1993 he founded Bad Boys Entertainment, which was soon producing for several multi-platinum artists, including Mary J. Blige, TLC, Usher, and Combs himself. Combs ongoing success as an artist and producer has been more than matched by his success in the fashion world. Since the debut of his urban-culture inspired men's sportswear line in the spring of 1999, Combs has been honored with five nominations from the CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America) for excellence in design and was awarded the CFDA Perry Ellis Award for Best Menswear Designer in 2004. Sean John's clothing boutique was the first African American business to open on New York City's Fifth Avenue. Combs currently runs Sean John with CEO Bob Wichser, who was tapped for the job by Combs in 2005. Currently grossing over $500 million annually in US retail, the label has expanded to include Sean John, Bad Boy Sportswear, Sean John Tailored, and Sean John accessories, with several new lines on the way. Designer Jenny La Fata has been hired to work on Sean John's newly relaunched women's apparel line with G III Apparel Group, Sean John Women's and Sean John's Eyewear by Marchon debuted this spring. The Sean John underwear line by Americo Group's Basic Resources will launch in the fall, and socks from Mountain High Hosiery will launch in the spring of 2008.

The Sean John label has found its most pervasive success with its recently launched men's fragrance line, Unforgivable. Combs collaborated closely on the project with well-respected perfumer David Apel, and the line was released through Estee Lauder in 2006. The scent quickly climbed to number one best selling scent in the US for 2006, outselling all women's fragrances. It was awarded Fragrance of the Year for luxe men's fragrance at the FIFI (Fragrance Foundation) Awards this year. Unforgivable has also been a top-three hit in the U.K. and Australia, and over the next four months is expanding into New Zealand, Central Europe, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Chile, Mexico, South Africa, Switzerland, the Middle East, Venezuela, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Malaysia, and Scandinavia. The company also plans to launch Unforgivable for women this year.