Sean “Diddy” Combs celebrated a decade in fashion this year. Macy’s, the first department store to carry the Sean John line, threw a star-studded celebration for him in conjunction with its one hundred and fiftieth anniversary at Atlanta’s Lenox Square. The rap mogul and entrepreneur debuted his Sean John collection in spring of 1999 with many fashion-industry critics overlooking the collection’s potential. However, Combs quickly turned his brand into one of the major players in the high-end urban fashion market and in 2004 was honored by the Council of Fashion Designers of America as its Menswear Designer of the Year.
For his fall 2008 line, Combs rocked the fashion world again when he showcased a collection worn only by models of color. The rare all-Black lineup was a sight to be savored during New York’s Fashion Week, where most major designers choose not to cast more than one or two models of color in their shows. This master visionary always adds a touch of spectacle to everything he does, and it continues to work, which is why he is our Designer of the Week. Fashion is all about taking chances and Combs is a true risk taker.