P. Diddy to open Sean John flagship store during Fashion Week 2004

By: Errol I. Mars

Sean Combs, owner of the Sean John line will open the Sean John flagship store during Fashion Week in New York City on August 29th. Located on 41st and Fifth Avenue, the store has already attracted attention from passersby.

This is the first of a series of stores planned for the clothing line. The Sean John clothing line is making a transition from urban street wear to more tailored looks. The stores will be designed to appeal to a variety of consumers. According to Charles Soriano, V.P. of Retail for Sean John.

Unlike other hip hop entrepreneurs who have been selling their clothing lines, Sean John has been expanding into the more mainstream fashion business.

Sean Combs chairman and CEO of Sean John recently partnered up with designer Zac Posen on a new line which will also have its own flagship store in New York City and signed a multi-year partnership with leading fragrance and cosmetics company Estee Lauder to develop and market a new fragrance line. Los Angeles based investment firm Yucaipa Cos. LLC's Ron Burkle is reported to have invested $100 million in the Sean John clothing line. The Sean John line grossed over $300 million in sales in 2003. The line first debuted in Spring 1999.