Urban Music Reviews

GRADE: A

“If I Were King” is a no-holds-barred, gritty and intense behind the scenes look at Sean John’s return to NYC Fashion Week after a 5 year hiatus. In terms of made-for-TV documentaries, it doesn’t get much better than this.

5 years ago, Sean “Diddy” Combs won CFDA’s Menswear Designer of the Year Award for his Sean John line. That honor (which is the fashion equivalent of an Oscar or a Grammy) had never gone to an “urban designer” or more shockingly, a black designer. After this landmark, Combs opted to not show at Fashion Week for 5 consecutive years. But now, on the cusp of Sean John’s 10 year anniversary, Combs’ hopes to compete with the other “bad boys” of high fashion like Roberto Cavalli and Zac Posen.

“King” is a visually stunning and interesting watch, but clocking in at an hour and a half, it could probably have done its job in less time. Regardless, the documentary balances the business, logistical, planning and creative process (YES, Diddy actually DESIGNS…who knew) in an intriguing and genuine manner. Critical fashion fans could most closely compare it to Issac Mizrahi’s classic “Unzipped.” Aside from the harried and intense designing and manufacturing (which saw members of the design team traveling across 3 continents), the film also touches heavily on the issues that blacks have had to face in the world of high fashion. This subplot eventually lead to a casting decision by Combs to feature an all black cast of models.

“If I Were King” doesn’t reinvent the wheel and if you are not already a fashion enthusiast, business student, Diddy fan or at least someone with an interest in the creative process, then there probably isn’t much here for you. Still, the film has a rich, artistic style, a genuine vibe and an entertaining value that makes it a worthwhile and fulfilling watch.