LL Cool J & Rachel Roy Pay It Fashion Forward

LL Cool J & Rachel Roy @ Pay It Fashion Forward

LL Cool J, with special guest Rachel Roy, presided over festivities at the 2nd Annual Pay It Fashion Forward event including honoring multiple individuals and organizations doing good while creating fashion.

LL Cool J Throws Psychic Gang Signs

2009 Pay It Fashion Forward Honorees:

--  I/denti/tee started through a partnership with Edun Live, creating music t-shirts profiting African workers as well as publishers and song writers. The t-shirts are made from local, African-grown cotton and feature licensed lyrics produced by African artists.
--  Linda Loudermilk started a luxury and eco lifestyle brand where her fine designs are all made from sustainable fabrics that she has researched and developed.
--  Philanthropist boutique, founded by Jessica Moment and Sally Fowler in 2008 in San Francisco, donates 100% of its sales directly to charities that combat poverty in the bay area.
--  Chloe Jo Berman of Girlie Girl Army is a fashion personality who is spreading her eco-friendly lifestyle message to the masses through her eco-friendly fashion blog.
--  JONES APPAREL GROUP was recognized for its charitable contributions including Jones New York in the Classroom, Shoes on Sale, JAGreen, and Anne Klein's involvement with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation

[Photos: PRNewsFoto/Fashion Delivers]

Ridiculous Chains: T-Pain's Big Ass & Broken Cool's Top 10

T-Pain's Big [Dumb]Ass Chain makes me want to retire.  And if I had that chain I could!

Broken Cool presents The 10 Most Ridiculous Rapper Chains.
[via The Rap Up]

Rafaello & Co. Introduce The Blackout Collection

Rafaello & Co.'s Blackout Collection

Rafaello & Co. are on the move with a revamped website, a new showroom and the introduction of The Blackout Collection:

"An array of high quality black diamonds all accessed from the world's most exclusive diamond mines. Specialty trend pieces include: rosaries, watches, bracelets and cocktail rings. The "Blackout Collection" takes inspiration from the millions who have lost their lives in Africa during the Sierra Leone Civil War. Rafaello's commitment to the non usage of conflict diamonds will donate on behalf of the purchaser, a certain amount of proceeds to an undisclosed African charity which will be announced at a later date."

Though it would make a stronger statement if they were clearer about the charity angle, it's nice too see more moves opposing the use of conflict diamonds from within the industry. And, though some might say that a new luxury line in the midst of a downturn disrupting the lives of so many is a bit questionable, despite their reduced budgets, top urban artists don't seem to be expressing any qualms about displays of luxury.

Official Site: Rafaello & Co.

Recession: Rappers Reassess Bling, 5-Step Survival Guide

As the recession forces rappers to reassess their bling, Nahshon shares the 5-Step Hip-Hop Guide to Surviving the Recession.

Aceyalone's Can't Hold Back in Teva B1-G Air Contest Video

Teva B1-G Air Contest Promo Video

Aceyalone's single Can't Hold Back is featured in the promo video for the Teva B1-G Air Contest:

"The promo video features professional mountain bike athletes Aaron Chase and Jeff Lendsky. Video directed by Decon's Yoram Benz."

Nice fit!

Counterfeit: Rick Ross, Louis Vuitton Shades, XXL [?]

Louis Vuitton Brand Calls Out Rick Ross for Fake Shades:

“'We were dismayed to see the cover of the May 2009 issue of XXL Magazine, which features a photo of Rick Ross wearing a pair of sunglasses prominently featuring counterfeit Louis Vuitton trademarks,' stated Louis Vuitton Malletier Michael D. Pantalony."

Counterfeits = Big Money.  Just ask Rick Ross and XXL!

Update: The Bawse says they're the real thing. They're just customized!

Does this mean Rick Ross wins again?!?

Related ProHiphop Coverage:
Prison Guard Rick Ross Covers May XXL

Apple Bottoms Fragrance: Smells Like Ass?

In a press release from late April, Apple Bottoms announced a partnership with Romane Fragrances to create an Apple Bottoms perfume.

I apologize for my rudeness but I think my headline pretty much sums up the branding problems inherent in the name. Then again, strong brands tend to disconnect from the actual meaning of the original terms used so perhaps for their target market there is no problem.

Common: Diesel "Only The Brave" Commercial

Common - Only The Brave Commercial

I'm more than a man. I'm a Diesel associate!

Via WoooHa.

Related ProHipHop Coverage:
Common & Diesel: Only The Brave Men's Fragrance

Rocawear Promo: Jay-Z's Brooklyn We Go Hard

Rocawear Promo Video

I love this song and I like the second half of the video. I realize that hanging around at the ski lounge with a bunch of folks is partly symbolic of success but it doesn't fit the song at all. The first part, after the brief Brooklyn & live show segments, is about the soft life and boring clothes. But once it returns to an urban environment, there's visual excitement in the setting and that somehow makes the clothes more interesting.

Of course, for my generation, preppy clothes will always reek of boring conformity.

Via Kiss My Black Ads

I Didn't Make Fun of Your Baggy Pants

And I won't make fun of their skinny jeans.

Positioning yourself against the next fashion wave does not put you in a position of strength, old man.  Let the kids be the kids.  That's what you did.  That's what they'll do.  And that's just how it is.

Parlux to Create Fragrances for Rihanna, Kanye West, Jay-Z & a "Well-established Female Artist"

Parlux Fragrances has announced a licensing deal with Iconic Fragrances:

"a licensing company in which entertainment mogul and icon Shawn "JAY-Z" Carter is a principal. The agreement includes individual worldwide fragrance licenses for multiple Grammy award winning and multi-platinum selling international entertainers Rihanna and Kanye West. Iconic also is in the final stage of negotiations for a worldwide fragrance license with Shawn "JAY-Z" Carter, and in discussions with a well-established female artist."

The deal includes the "payment of royalties, profit sharing, and the issuance of warrants to purchase common shares of Parlux," which is listed on the NASDAQ exchange as PARL.

Parlux Fragrances "holds licenses for Paris Hilton, Jessica Simpson, GUESS?, Nicole Miller, Natori, Queen Latifah, Marc Ecko, XOXO, Ocean Pacific (OP), Andy Roddick, babyGund, and Fred Hayman Beverly Hills designer fragrances, as well as Paris Hilton watches, cosmetics, sunglasses, handbags and other small leather accessories."

Note: One thing I don't get about this deal is the option to buy shares at $5 given that the stock has been around $1.5 or so.  It almost seems like an attempt to buoy the stock price and its pitched in the press release as an indicator of the stock's value so I'm assuming it's intended to help in that regard but I'm unfamiliar with such aspects to these deals.

Rocawear: Roc4Life Social Network, Roc Pop Shop

Rocawear launches a social network called Roc4Life and nobody bothered to tell me, the King of Hip Hop Social Networks on Google, but that's not a surprise. They're worried that I may say something mean like, nobody cares!

But people do care. Currently around 4200 people plus the Blog Herald, for some reason.

Rocawear also didn't bother to tell me about the Roc Pop Shop, perhaps because I might point out that it's hard to care about generic clothing.

Following the sources back to Highbrid Nation and then to the.LIFE Files, I realize that there's no link to a schedule because, maybe, nobody really cares where it's going next?

You know, I bet if they'd dropped me some pics at hiphoppress(at)
netweed(dot)com I'd have just posted them and moved on. Here's what happens when you make me work! Tee hee!

Common & Diesel: Only The Brave Men's Fragrance

Common & Diesel - Only The Brave

Common and fashion company Diesel have teamed up to create and promote a men's fragrance called Only The Brave:

"Featured in the dedicated print and television advertising campaign of the new fragrance, shot by world renowned photographer Platon, and developed in collaboration with the Diesel Creative Team headed by Creative Director Wilbert Das, Common will also perform at selected Diesel stores worldwide, including the Los Angeles one on Wednesday, May 20, 2009."

Common displays his burly man's grip in the above promotional image.

Official Site: Diesel

Kut From A Different Cloth: Hypebeast x Scion

Kut From A Different Cloth is a fashion design contest "powered by Hypebeast and Scion", using their design tools and files, that ends April 20th.

Via Satchel of Gravel which seems to be going through some dramedy of some sort.

Famous Stars and Straps: Lil Jon, Paul Wall, Alchemist

Lil Jon for Famous Stars and Straps

A variety of folks share their thoughts on Famous Stars and Straps' 10th Anniversary via YouTube including Lil Jon, The Alchemist, Paul Wall and other important figures whose names I don't recognize.