There’s one thing to be a label whore in that your love for high-end brand names is far-reaching and shows no real particular bias. Then there’s 88-Keys. This record producer, emcee, and fashion enthusiast’s affinity for Polo Ralph Lauren is literally unrivalled. However, what easily distinguishes 88-Keys from the typical label whore is that for one, he has exclusively worn Polo Ralph Lauren for 16 years on a day to day basis and two; he boasts an astounding knowledge on the brand’s many collections. Definitely fresher than the average!

Literally, listening to 88-Keys is like tuning into a recasting of Polo’s rich history which, in my mind, positively differentiates 88’ from any other label whore out there. It’s a refreshing dialogue 88-Keys shares with GQ and after watching it in awe, I got to thinking, if you could comfortably afford to wear one label day in day out, from your briefs right up to your eyewear, what would it be? Mine would have to be Marc by Marc Jacobs. I favor the dandy, clean, yet grungy feel about the label so much that my credit card would be on constant swipe!

Oh, did we mention 88′ is good buddies with Kanye West? Heck, just watch and learn!

As the photos from Sean John’s AW08 underwear campaign came to light, it’s quite evident that P. Diddy didn’t take any cues from the success of Armani’s underwear ad campaign. Sean John tapped hip hop artist, Nelly, to be the spokesmodel which is not half bad because the bloke is as chiseled as David Beckham. The drawback though is the artistic direction of the ad campaign (shot by Randee St. Nicholas).

Sorry Diddy, but for an underwear ad, I frankly don’t go away feeling inclined to purchase what Nelly has on. I’m literally baffled as to whom (if anybody) Sean John is trying to market “what looks to be” the boxer briefs straddling Nelly’s frame.

All is not lost though; there are positives. A composed and somewhat pensive Nelly calmly wades in a pebble rock pool while the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles hangs over his shoulder—very picturesque. However, amidst the modernist pool décor and abode, Nelly and his sagged jeans truly look like a blot on the landscape!

Gone are the Ali G days of drooping ones pants to show off the Tommy Hilfiger insignia plastered on your knickers. And this revived Jim Jones-inspired fad of hanging one’s pants to show ones boxers and buttocks is definitely not a pleaser and something I would not expect from Sean John. But I stand mistaken.

The take home message: purposeful wilting of one’s pants to reveal your underwear is not the least bit appealing and I thought Sean John would know better. For a first time glimpse into Sean John’s Fall 2008 collection, it was a major let down and left me without an adequate teaser to get me enthused or excited for what’s to come. So on that note, until I lay my eyes on the rest of the photos (yes, there’s more to come; hopefully their better than this), I’ll continue to root for Armani and David Beckham.