Rapper and entrepreneur
Nelly is expanding his Apple Bottom clothing brand to include lingerie, shoes,
handbags, plus size clothing, and childrensware.
Apple Bottom, which launched in July 2003, is gearing up for a children’s print
ad campaign featuring celebrity rappers, including Nelly, Ali from the St. Lunactics,
Big Gipp from Goodie Mobb and Jermaine Dupri, paired with their daughters.
"We got the campaign going just [to show] we are fathers as well [as rappers],"
Nelly said about the ads for the children’s line, which is set to launch in
nine months. "Apple Bottoms is more of a family-oriented line, and I want
to make sure we put that out there as well."
Nelly made the announcement during a press conference held during the 2006 MAGIC Convention in Las Vegas.
The company announce plans to expand into other areas of women’s fashion as
well, such as the under-served urban plus-size market. Nelly said inspiration
for the line came from his love for fashion.
"As a man you kinda know what you are attracted to when you see a young
lady walking. You kinda know what turns your head, if she’s looking right or
styled right, so you try to lend those influences to the designer," he
said. "Hopefully they can come up with something that’s original that will
benefit our [Apple Bottom] line."