"To receive our second award for Fragrance of the Year in the Men's Luxe category for our newest men's fragrance, I Am King, is truly a dream come true for me," Combs said. "I Am King represents my belief that whatever you believe about yourself is what you are destined to become. I believe that every man has the right to be a king, and I developed this fragrance to honor the king in every man."

I Am King combines sensual fruits and warm skin nuances to create a fragrance that is as comfortable as it is addictive. Sleek and polished, I Am King's magnetic appeal is a reflection of today's modern man -- he is the achiever, the inspirer, with the soul of a king. Just like the men who wear it, I Am King makes a statement -- embodying the true essence of the Sean John lifestyle.

Established in 1949, The Fragrance Foundation is a non-profit organization whose mission is to enhance the image of the Fragrance Industry to the public and expand the appreciation and use of fragrance in all its forms across all distribution channels in the Americas.

SOURCE Sean John Fragrances

Iconix Brand Group, Inc., today announced that is continuing its expansion plans with the development of its Rocawear brand in Greater China.

The company believes that there is opportunity to leverage Rachel Roy's design talent to support significant future growth, including through a Rachel Rachel Roy diffusion brand that will be offered exclusively through Macy's, Inc.

Founder and artistic director, Rachel Roy, said, "Accessible fashion has always been a passion of mine. Every woman should have the opportunity to express herself through style. Being able to design a contemporary product line that truly reflects a sense of individuality is a great honor. Macy's has been an embracing partner in helping us launch this redefinition of a new lifestyle collection."

Terry Lundgren, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Macy's Inc., said, "Rachel's design sensibility is very appealing to our fashion customer who insists on great value and a perfect complement to the existing stable of high-profile designer brands available exclusively at Macy's. This new collection is another move in our continued effort to differentiate our assortments with the best, most desired brands on the market, giving customers another powerful reason to choose Macy's."

In June 2008, Jones Apparel Group formed a joint venture with Rachel Roy, Damon Dash and TSM Capital with the sole purpose of further developing the Rachel Roy brand.

"We have a sincere belief and high confidence in Rachel's talent and her position as one of the leading new American designers," said Wesley R. Card, Jones Apparel Group President and Chief Executive Officer. "We are applying an integrated strategy to the Rachel Roy brand that draws upon Jones' exceptional resources and infrastructure to further develop the current business and drive new growth opportunities."

Jones' investment in the Rachel Roy brand began with the Rachel Roy New York designer label by applying a successful sourcing model to help create efficiencies and cost-savings while continuing to deliver the highest quality product. Industry veteran, Stephen Ruzow, has recently been tapped as President to support Rachel Roy New York domestically and to spearhead international growth for the designer label.

The Company is now extending its reach to the better contemporary arena with the launch of a diffusion label to be called Rachel Rachel Roy, which will be overseen by Susan Metzger, Chief Executive Officer for Women's Wholesale Sportswear for Jones. The Rachel Rachel Roy collection will include affordable contemporary sportswear, footwear and accessories, debuting in August 2009. The collection will be offered exclusively through Macy's Inc. at select Macy's stores nationwide and on macys.com.

The Rachel Rachel Roy collection will capture a fresh and youthful look that reflects today's culture by mixing elements of downtown cool with uptown chic at affordable price points. The line will retail from $59 to $299 for sportswear, $79 to $199 for footwear, $40 to $195 for jewelry and $69 to $109 for handbags.

Susan Metzger said, "We are thrilled to be able to bring Rachel's signature aesthetic to a larger audience with the launch of the Rachel Rachel Roy better contemporary collection. We are confident that a diverse range of women will identify with the look and feel of the brand and it will quickly become a dominant label in the marketplace. "

Jeff Gennette, Chief Merchandising Officer at Macy's Inc., said, "The Rachel Rachel Roy collection is a perfect fit for our stores, offering designer-infused product at affordable price points. We feel the line will create new excitement and fashion stature on our floors and is something our fashion customers are seeking."

The Company has also invested in a new e-commerce website for the Rachel Roy brand, which is expected to launch in mid-August. The redesigned site will feature both Rachel Roy New York and Rachel Rachel Roy.

Launched in spring 2005, the Rachel Roy collection embodies effortless glamour, and is sophisticated with a modern edge. In 2007, Rachel Roy was inducted as a new member to the Council of Fashion Designers of America. The Rachel Roy collections are available at Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and designer specialty stores worldwide.

SOURCE Jones Apparel Group, Inc.

An untraditional fresh fruity woody scent, I Am King combines clean notes with sensual fruits and warm skin nuances. The bottle, shrouded with a chrome cap, incorporates sleek edges with a hint of classic style.

Sean John Fragrances will debut the power scent in December 2008 for the holiday season exclusively at Macy's nationwide, before rolling out to department stores in February 2009. I Am King suggested retail price is $57 USD for 1.7 oz EDT and $74 USD for 3.4 oz EDT. I Am King aftershave balm suggested retail price is $54 USD for 3.4 oz and will be on counter in February 2009 for Valentine's Day; I Am King shower gel suggested retail price is $25 USD for 6.7 oz and the deodorant suggested retail price is $18 USD for 2.5 oz; both items on counter in May 2009 (pre-cursor to Father's Day). Additionally, I Am KingLimited Edition, a 3.4 oz EDT with storybook featuring I Am King visuals and housed in a signed lucite case, will be also available exclusively at Macy's for $100 USD.

“I believe in positive affirmations. If I say, ‘I am not going to succeed, I’m a loser,’ then that’s what I am going to be. If we say we’re kings and we say we’re queens, that’s what we’re going to be. It has nothing to do with being arrogant. I Am King is not a statement about myself — I Am King is about every man who is going to go and buy the fragrance.”

Industry sources are expecting I Am King to do $100 million in first year sales, continuing Comb's dominance of men's fragrances.

“I Am King is a statement about all men,” said Combs, told WDD. “We are all descendents of royalty — and if we carry ourselves and respect ourselves in that manner and believe in ourselves, then we are all kings.”

Developed by Combs and the Estée Lauder Cos.’ Karyn Khoury and Trudi Loren in cooperation with International Flavors & Fragrances, the I Am King collection will include eaux de toilette in two sizes, 1.7 oz. for $57 and 3.4 oz. for $74; a 3.4-oz. aftershave balm, $54; a 6.7-oz. shower gel, $25, and a 2.5-oz. deodorant, $18. The eaux de toilette will bow exclusively in the U.S. at Macy’s and in the U.K. at Debenhams in December, along with a Macy’s-only I Am King Limited Edition — a 3.4-oz. scent in a signed Lucite case with a storybook of ad visuals for $100. In February, the eaux de toilette and aftershave will roll out, with the shower gel and deodorant slated to be on counter in May.

"I love the fit, model and cut of the Naomi jeans Victoria Beckham has designed. I have already worn them many times and people always stop and ask me the make of my jeans," she said.

At £250 a pop, these jean don't come cheap.

Beckham told Vogue UK -- "High fashion plays a huge part in the creation of the dVb ranges and right now I love the influences of the Seventies and Eighties on the runway. The 'Naomi by dVb' takes these elements into a denim cut which makes the leg look incredibly long. Who better to name this style after than Naomi Campbell?"

Beckham, started her denim line in June 2007 but suffered poor sales earlier this year due to lack of promotion.

Cole, personally unveiled Luster's Pink Brand Smooth Touch Limited Edition relaxer kits featuring her image in front of a crowd of several hundred guests.

"When we were thinking about the image and benefits of Smooth Touch(R), Keyshia Cole was a perfect choice," said Jory Luster, president of Luster Products. "It was important to us to work with someone who already had success and visibility, but also could relate to our target and be someone they would want to emulate. Keyshia is young, talented, beautiful and has an electric personality. She's perfectly represents the woman who uses Smooth Touch(R) products."

Luster's(R) Pink(R) Brand Smooth Touch(R) line of hair care products will arrive in stores this summer.

The survey also found that people in emerging markets were more likely to buy luxury items. North America's were the least interested in luxury brands.

Gucci, which operates 233 stores worldwide, is a part of the Gucci Group, which is owned by Paris, France based holding company PPR.

Source: Forbes.com