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Dear Sean John

Posted Feb 10th 2008 11:13PM by Esther Dixon

Dear Sean John, Diddy, P. Diddy, Puffy, Puff Daddy,

I would like to write a brief note to you regarding your fall 2008 men's line. Please, please do not take this in the wrong way. But I believed the line was geared towards the metro-sexual man. The sequin tops, the extremely fitted suites, suits and sparkly scarves gave me reason to feel this way. Was I wrong?

I just thought the line would be a little more "hood' ? (special note: "hood" is not only defined as baggie jeans and sweatshirts) ? Yes, I said it! I thought we would see more Flatbush Avenue; instead you gave us Hollywood Boulevard.

I'm not mad, not at all! Just confused as to why an urban line would be made for the European style and fit. Even Tyson Beckford, who was a model in the show, seemed awkward in the clothing.

However, you did bring out the high profile celebs, such as Harvey Weinstein, Spike Lee, Kevin Federline, Roberto Cavalli, Ellen Pompeo, Fabolous and many, many more. You did bless us with a great gift bag of fragrances and you did keep us delighted with a show of gorgeous Black models.

So no matter if you are doing fresh t-shirts or sophisticated midriff jackets we will always be watching! Thank you for continuously giving us something to talk about!

Sincerely,

Esther Dixon

Style Spotter

CONTINUE TO NEXT PAGE FOR PHOTOS

Black Voices, Fashion Writer Sonya Magett and P. Diddy

Model, Chanel Iman

Mama Combs

Black Voices Editor/Producer Angela Bronner and Harvey Weinstein

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Reader Comments

(Page 1)

1. Well, considering "metro-sexual/bi-sexual" men are typically the ones who wear clothes that FIT properly and our pants on our wastes, I don't blame him.

Themthereeyez at 8:36AM on Feb 11th 2008

2. The Sean John line looked sophisticated and mature. Which according to Miss Dixon means "gay". And also, metro-sexual does not mean gay either. And at what point can black men take off the baggy pants, oversized shirts and Timbs and be a grown man?

Dluv at 12:44AM on Feb 13th 2008

3. Ahh, gay baiting on blackvoices, as predictable as night and day. You'd think a site named Blackvoices would mention that all the models in the show were Black; which some would think is important given the lack of Black models in most shows, and the drive to get designers to hire Black models. But that was probably to inside for someone who calls herself a fashion blogger.
Or maybe we could have a discussion of why hood is a style that should be honored, instead of looking for diversity in styles, but again, this is Blackvoices, where ignorance is expected, so I guess the writer didn't did her job.

Babybelle32 at 9:18AM on Feb 13th 2008

4. WOW! This is probably the most ignorant thing I have ever seen! I guess all the models were supposed to be drowning in their clothes and dragging their big heavy Timberlands down the runway with a scowl on their faces. I don't know what rock YOU live under Esther (I guess one where people spell suits with an e, and sequins are confused with embroidery, and fitted suits are "extreme") but people around my way are starting to wear less baggy clothing and looking better because of it. I guess urban men are supposed to accept their fate as thugs and gangstas to please you and your homophobic crew at Black Voices. Seriously, get it together! And take a tip from the "metrosexuals" and get a manicure and some lotion for those hands. It looks like you just washed some dishes and went to Diddy's show in your nightgown.

Blah! at 12:33PM on Feb 13th 2008

5. Cause God forbid a Black man look professional and well-dressed, right? Urban fashion move away from where it's been for the last two decades? Can't have that, can we?

Sandra at 12:12PM on Feb 15th 2008

6. I suppose Blackvoices needs to be renamed "Black Heterosexual Totally Thugged-Out Scowling Voices" in order to more fully cover the kind of ignorance spouted in the above article. Why, who knew African American men would wear clothes that are fitted? Well, clearly, that means they're "metro-sexual/bi-sexual" men! And clearly, any guy who isn't wearing clothing that reflects "the hood" is metro or bisexual. Thanks, Ms. Dixon--I would never have known that bit of racial essentialism/stereotyping!

Roger at 7:56PM on Feb 17th 2008

7. Dear Esther,
I would like to write a brief note to you regarding your fashion...err..."tastes?" I guess my first thought is “wow!” It seems your tastes are just as trashy as your writing when it comes to fashion (It’s “suit” not “suite.”). I would guess you don’t know that many of us male “urban” folk tend to work for a living and tend to prefer not to look like we should be standing on a street corner somewhere when we dress ourselves. I’m curious if you even got the chance to interview Mr. Combs about his line or how he featured all black models for his show. Since this is Black Voices I guess those details are not that important.
I couldn’t help but notice, as well, a slight (well, overt) impression of homophobia and hostility to straight brothers who’s clothes fit them in your “open letter,” because I guess only “metrosexual/bi” brothers tend to prefer not be look thuggish when they dress. Maybe the name of this site should be “black thug voices” since that’s all you seem to know anything about. I could be wrong. But, hey, I’m just basing my judgment off of what you write.

Peace and KNOWLEDGE to you.

Roger at 2:52PM on Feb 22nd 2008

8. Dear P.Diddy, Sean John
I would like to reach out to you regarding our young men and jeans.
I have a son 6'8" 19 years old, yes he plays basketball in college. However, I need your help.
This young man has a problem when he tries on jeans.
He is tall, he wears his pants,jeans below his waist which causes them to look saggie. The big and tall doesn't help- he's not a BIG guy, so they can't help him. \
It would take years for me to develop something for men in this situation.
I was wondering if you and your staff would look into something for men like my son to be able to wear pants, and jeans at their waist.
It is so hard to find jeans with length of 36" or longer. He's always shopping in Macy's in your department: so I thought of you, maybe you could try researching about this situation.
There are young men that would bring up their pants if the length was longer.

I Thank you in advance,
A concern Mother
Rose Funches

Rose Funches at 11:42AM on Feb 27th 2008

9. SEAN COMBS YOUR ARE THE BEST AND YOU WORK HARD IN EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO NONE OF THIS CAME TO YOU EASY YOU HAD TO GET UP EVERYDAY EVEN WHEN YOU DIDNT WANT TO YOU DID BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO MAKE IT HAPPEN MY NAME IS PAUL JONES AND IM TRYING TO BECOME A MODEL FOR YOUR CLOTHING LINE BUT I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO AND HOW TO GET STARTED IM ONLY 14 YEARS OLD BUT IM SO TALL I PLAY FOOTBALL AND I ALSO PLAY BASKETBALL FOR MY SCHOOL I ATTEND COPIUAGE MIDDLE SCHOOL IN NEWYORK I JUST MOVED HERE FROM FLORIDA YOU ARE MY IDOL I REALLY LOOK UP TO YOU SO MUCH SO KEEP DOIG WHAT YOU DO AND ONE DAY I HOPE TO MODEL FOR YOU IM NOT GOING TO GIVE UP IM GOING TO FOLLOW MY DREAMS UNTIL THEY COME TRUE .

PAUL JONES at 1:53PM on Mar 3rd 2008

10. Diddy, when are you coming out with the "Obama or Die" T-shirts?

Miguel at 12:08AM on Jun 25th 2008

11. Note- For his videos and clothing ads for females he used ONLY very fair-skinned Black women. What does that show about him? What messaed does it send to the audience

jack at 4:37PM on Jul 3rd 2008

12. I wish Diddy could give me $8500 to pay my college tuition. Really I've been admitted to this very good college. They gave m esome scholarship, I have some money myself but I am $8500 short.

Help!!

sol at 7:03PM on Nov 16th 2008

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