In front of a packed crowd at Macy’s in Atlanta, Diddy celebrated Sean John’s 10th birthday with a runway fashion show, showcasing the latest designs in his popular line. Freshly signed Bad Boy artist and Atlanta-based singer Janelle Monae closed the show with a performance of her single, “Sincerely Jane.” Slim of 112, V-103’s Ryan Cameron and rappers Gorilla Zoe and Killer Mike were also among the celebrities who turned out to celebrate with the mogul.
“As an African-American fashion line, this is truly history,” Diddy said, grinning. “I want to thank Atlanta for being one of our number one markets.”
Diddy and Janelle MonaeMacy’s who coincidentally is also celebrating their 150th anniversary happily combined with Sean John to commemorate both company’s successes. Macy’s was the first department store to feature the brand.
“I especially want to thank the whole Macy’s family for accepting Sean John,” Diddy said, mentioning he especially cherishes the buyers and sellers of Macy’s.
He also made sure to point out that all of the models in the fashion show were African-American, adding that he was disappointed about their lack of inclusion during Fashion Week.
“When you see runway shows at Fashion Week they don’t have enough African-Americans,” he said. “We take pride in the fact that the Sean John line at fashion week had an all black cast.”
He also encouraged attendees to get out and vote on Nov. 4, asking the crowd who would be voting for “that one,” alluding to Sen. John McCain’s controversial reference to Sen. Barack Obama during their last televised debate.
“You see these young kids out here?” he asked rhetorically, “We have to protect their future…we have to make some changes.”
Politics aside, Diddy was all smiles when he talked about the future of the brand. With a new outerwear line and an upcoming women’s line, Sean John is looking solidly to the future.
“I want to thank young people for always supporting my music and supporting Sean John,” he said. “Atlanta is my home, so I had to come here and make sure that we did this fashion show here.”
This marks the second in a three-city tour that included Macy’s in New York and Miami later this fall. –j.h.
