In today’s online / youtube / myspace world, anyone who gets the cliched "15 minutes of fame" immediately starts trying to figure out how to parlay their time in the spotlight. Celebrities are trying to take it to the next level too; they are no longer content with just acting or just recording music. Today’s stars all want to create the "empire of ME". Rappers want to be actors, actors want to direct, and they ALL want to create their own signature clothing line.
There is even a website devoted to celebrity clothing that has regular updates on the latest stars to turn apparel designers. Celebrity backed apparel can be very lucrative but it doesn’t guarantee success. Lil Wayne announced almost a year ago that he would be launching two clothing lines but no word since, Jay-Z sold his very successful Rocawear, and Victoria Beckham’s DvB line has tanked. What’s the secret sauce that makes Nelly’s Apple Bottoms fly off the shelves, while Snoop Dogg, who is a bigger artist than Nelly, could not make his Snoop Dogg Clothing Co. successful?