Ne-Yo Takes Frank Sinatra's Name In Vain

So, this is what the retail world’s been lowered to: Macy’s, a titan among department stores, has hired the effervescent singer/songwriter Ne-Yo to act as the endorsing savior of its top-tier, private label menswear.
The Grammy-winning performer of such R&B hits as “Miss Independent”, "So Sick" and “Hate that I Love You” likened himself to the Chairman of the Board, Frank Sinatra, during the announcement of his new marketing deal with the Macy’s Alfani Red line. The suits and accessories ($49-$325 at projected retail) are distinguished by their red thread stitching around buttons, collars and pockets. They'll start appearing in select Macy's locations, like Atlanta's Lenox Square, early this fall.
Ne-Yo told WWD.com at a Manhattan press conference that his current onstage look embodies “the whole Rat Pack”. Details of how much he got paid to say that, or model in a series of photos and videos wasn’t disclosed.
Never mind that Ol’ Blues, Sammy Davis, Jr., Dean Martin, Joey Bishop or Peter Lawford, rarely (IF EVER!) wore clothes off the rack. This is a sales ploy; go with it.
As Ne-Yo, a part-time Atlantan, put it to WWD: “I like to think my style is about an effortless cool both on stage and off. Style is not just about what you’re wearing; it’s also how you wear it and the confidence you exude.”
Okay. So let’s all watch how well the aura Ne-Yo exudes contributes to Macy’s bottom line.
Maybe it’s best that, at least, Ne-Yo didn’t latch onto to that sloppy gravy train of musicians who attempted to be “designers”. This Macy’s experiment with him will help determine whether “celebrity” endorsements are worth the risk at all.
Hell, didn’t some candy maker just kick Chris Brown to the curb?

Photo: Macy's/WWD