12 Celebrity Clothing Lines That Didn't Suck

Image via Complex Original

Celebrity Behind the Line: Sean “P. Diddy/Diddy/Puffy/Puff Daddy” Combs

Still In Existence: Yes

While much of the clothing tied to hip-hop is generally casual (tees, jeans, fitteds), Sean John made waves by becoming one of the first upscale lines to come from the hip-hop sphere. Started in 1998, the now widely recognized label is known for its streetwear and suiting and sportswear. When you picture Diddy, it's hard not to think of his Sean John line—eponymous naming aside.

Over the years, celebrities and models, including Nelly, T.I., Dwyane Wade, Channing Tatum, and Pharrell, have endorsed or worked with the label. It also has the privilege of being the first to hold a televised runway show in 2001, and winning the 2004 Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA for short) award for Menswear.

Sean John currently has a sportswear deal with Macy's, making it the exclusive retailer for that line. However, considering that Sean John is as much a lifestyle brand as it is a mens clothing brand, there are plenty to see and snap up beyond just garments. If you're looking for something inspired by streetwear but slightly grown up, then Sean John has been that label for over 10 years.

Celebrity Behind the Line: Bono

Still In Existence: Yes (last menswear collection in 2013)

Perhaps the biggest shock about Edun is discovering that Bono (yes, the frontman of the band that forced itself into your iTunes library) is behind the label. The line began in 2005 to encourage trade in Africa, with the label producing its collections all across the continent. It was acquired by luxury fashion heavyweight LVMH Group in 2009, and hired Danielle Sherman to the role of creative director in 2013.

Edun consistently shows at Fashion Week, but presented its final and well-received menswear collection—one that combined biker, rockabilly, and '80s grunge—during the Fall 2013 shows. Currently the label is/has been stocked on its own webshop and, like any other luxury label in LVMH's arsenal, at major retailers, like Barneys, Liberty London, Yoox, and colette. While Edun has made turned its focus on the womens market (likely due to the recent influence of LVMH and Sherman), it deserves the recognition of being one of the few brands backed by a celebrity that's risen to luxury-levels.

Celebrity Behind the Line: Pharrell Williams

Still In Existence: Yes

Billionaire Boys Club, and its subsequent Ice Cream line, are names that you hear about even to this day. Pharrell tapped the powers of BAPE's Nigo to create a clothing line that brought the feel of a Japanese streetwear brand across the Pacific and into the U.S. market (without needing a connect in Tokyo). Since its start in 2005, the BBC has consistently produced quality streetwear. When the wild colored, multi-patterned look that Pharrell and BBC pioneered started to fade from favor, it was able to transition into an Americana look while still maintaining its affinity to prints and bright colors via the Mark McNairy collaborative line BBC Bee Line.

Celebrity Behind the Line: Jay Z, Dame Dash

Still In Existence: Yes

The story of Rocawear began in 1999. When Jay Z was refused a sponsorship deal with Iceberg Jeans, Dame Dash threatened he would start his own clothing line... which is exactly what the notoriously headstrong executive did. Rocawear ultimately spread into the mainstream market and even hired big names like Kevin Bacon and Naomi Campbell to model the line—a smart move that allowed the brand to exist beyond its hip-hop roots. Thanks to the legwork of Dash, it also became a lifestyle brand, with a collaboration with Pro-Keds, jewelry, belts, and bags offered in addition to clothing.  

Rocawear underwent major transition when Jay Z snatched control of the brand (and Roc-a-Fella), and then sold the Roc to Def Jam. Jay became the president of Def Jam, and Dame got a chunk of change for the sale (but was isolated from the brand). Jay then flipped Rocawear to Iconix Brand Group for $219 million in 2007. Today, the brand exists in a global market, with its most recent campaign starring Fabolous proving its ability to bridge the gap between department stores and streetwear.

Celebrity Behind the Line: Liam Gallagher

Still In Existence: Yes

One half of the constantly feuding Gallagher brothers, Oasis' Liam Gallagher founded his Pretty Green line in 2009. The objective was to design clothes that he himself would wear. It's pretty apropos then that the line taps into Gallagher's 1960s mod style and embodies both English tailoring and culture. In its five years, the brand has grown to show runway collections, including a cameo at London Collections: Mens for the Spring/Summer 2015 season. Of course, there's classic sportswear in the form of tennis polos and tracksuits, but even its selection of outerwear is surprisingly deep and well made. If you're into labels like Fred Perry, you'll feel at home browsing the Pretty Green shop.

Celebrity Behind the Line: Andre 3000

Still In Existence: No

Playing on an old-school '30s Ivy League aesthetic, Andre 3000's Benjamin Bixby line was pretty intriguing as far as rapper clothing lines are concerned. When the line kicked off in 2008, the reception was fantastic, including press in major mens magazines, and even the launch a pop-up shop in Barneys. The clothing itself was a combination of prep and retro styles, like a fusion between a prep school yearbook with The Great Gatsby. This included Ralph Lauren-esque cable crewnecks, high-waisted trousers, newsboy caps, and three piece suiting. Basically, if it looked like something Three Stacks would call his ideal “school uniform” then it was in the collection. Even though sales were poor and didn't match the hype, causing the line to shutter in 2009, many fans of the brand still exist. If you're still praying for a second coming, there have been rumors that Andre 3000 will revive the line under the name "Bixby." 

Celebrity Behind the Line: Kanye West

Still In Existence: Yes

Kanye was always a designer, whether you hear that from his fans or from the man himself. After the failings of Pastelle, and the lukewarm reception of his DW by Kanye West womens line in Paris, Ye was on to his next venture—something that would have to mix his desire to fit in with the Parisian fashion scene and his personal aesthetic and sensibilities. Kanye teamed with minimal French brand A.P.C., releasing a collection in July 2013 that consisted of items that would instantly crash A.P.C.'s website: short and long sleeve hoodies, wide-waisted skinny jeans, the now infamous "Trippy Symphony" tee made in collaboration with #BEEN TRILL#, and other pieces similar to what Kanye's been seen wearing. 

The first collection was not without its controversies, with the A.P.C. founder Jean Touitou mentioning the difficulties of reigning Ye in and keeping his design process on track. Still, that did not stop the line from doing well in stores (and the resale market), and generating buzz that would ultimately lead to a second collection a year later.

The second collection, which Kanye debuted in Paris in early 2014, was perhaps the rapper's move to prove both his aesthetic and perspective to the public and fashion industry, especially given his recent rants about wanting to be accepted. The new collection may not have been as hyped as the one that preceded it, but the gear still sold well. 

Celebrity Behind the Line: Cam'ron

Still In Existence: Yes

Cam has been into the fashion scene since he rolled through in the now infamous pink mink coat. Following his runway appearance at Mark McNairy's Fall/Winter 2014 runway show (debuting a line of capes), Killa released his Dipset USA Clothing line. Like Wu Wear, the Diplomats' Dipset USA is a mix of hoodies, tees, and caps that feature the logo, mixtapes, and members of Harlem's Diplomats crew. While it's nothing that's changing the game, if you're a fan of Cam, Juelz, or Jim Jones (not to mention any other members of Dipset) the clothes from this series are must-cops.

Celebrity Behind the Line: Russell Williams

Still In Existence: Yes (but primarily in resale markets or “after season” retailers)

Phat Farm was founded by Russell Simmons in 1992, making it one of the oldest (and most influential) streetwear lines in the game. While we can credit Kanye West for injecting prep into streetwear, it could be argued that Phat Farm started the trend, mixing the brand's baggy jeans with argyle sweaters. The line is notable for pioneering what would ultimately become the standard, sometimes stereotypical hip-hop look—which includes (but is not limited to) fatigues, tees, and long denim.

When Simmons married model Kimora Lee, the pair unveiled a ladies line, Baby Phat, which would become just as well known as its brother brand. While Simmons faced financial hardship with the Phat Farm label in the early '90s, the power of Baby Phat brought the company's sales upwards, allowing Simmons to sell it to Kellwood in 2004 for $140 million.

Celebrity Behind the Line: Clipse

Still In Existence: Yes

Founded in 2008, the Virginia duo Clipse (Pusha T and No Malice) created their own line of streetwear. According to the brand's Facebook, Play Clothes "expands on the idea of producing a range of apparel admissible whether your playground is the streets of Virginia or the beaches of St. Tropez.” Today, the clothing is sold via the brand's webshop as well as at major mainstream retailers like JackThreads and the Karmaloop shops.

Play Clothes is dedicated to play of all kinds, and the clothing is casual streetwear that uses contemporary trends as a guide for its collections. The most recent fall delivery is centered around motocross jerseys. The logo of the running “Jack” is synonymous with the brand—and is even featured on the tongue of the label's recent sneaker collaboration with Saucony.

Celebrity Behind the Line: Shaquille O'Neal

Still In Existence: No

TWIsM (or, The World is Mine) was founded by Shaq and Cyrk Inc. in 1997 as a way to create clothing that would be worn by (and inspire) inner city youth. The line is really nothing beyond branded T-shirts, pants, shorts, outerwear, and sweatshirts—basically your average celeb streetwear staples. What really kicked things off for the brand in the 1990s and 2000s were advertisements in hip-hop magazines like The Source and, uh, Shaq's “budding” rap career. TWIsM may not be as big as Kazaam, but it is hardly the worst in all of Big Diesel's diverse portfolio of investments. 

Celebrity Behind the Line: Wu-Tang Clan

Still In Existence: Yes

1993 saw the release of the now classic Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), and the debut of the Wu Wear clothing line two years later. The clothing concept is simple: it's gear branded with symbols of the Wu. By the late '90s, the line was making millions, and sold widely across department stores and specialty shops nationwide. The brand was created to combat the crop of fake merch that was being sold to Wu fans, and ultimately became a huge money maker for the group and expanded their image well beyond the hip-hop community.

During the Wu Wear's heyday, the brand's look was often imitated by the likes of Avirex and Dada. Still, Wu remained—its power culminating in 1999's obscenely rare Nike Wu Dunk, a shoe that fetches prices of over $14,000 on eBay. While it declined in popularity and quality throughout the 2000s, Wu Wear has seen something of a resurgence in the last few years, proving that the Wu really is forever.