Multiplatinum selling recording artist and acclaimed music icon Mary J. Blige, Interscope Geffen A&M Records, and its Chairman, Jimmy Iovine, have joined forces with Orange 21 Inc. to develop Melodies by MJB, a signature line of fashion sunglasses set to debut in Fall 2010. The first Melodies by MJB collection will feature four styles with a total of 20 color options. Each unique style will represent a specific facet of Blige’s life. Select retail partners for Melodies by MJB will be announced in the near future.
Nine-time Grammy Award winner Blige has sold more than 40 million albums in a career spanning almost two decades, becoming a major influence on popular culture. Orange 21, a Southern California eyewear company, designs, manufactures and sells sunglasses under the Spy Optic, Margaritaville and O’Neill brands. Orange 21 has been manufacturing and distributing high quality eyewear since 1994.
The innovative and creative collaboration was nurtured with the guidance and support of Jimmy Iovine, Chairman of Interscope Geffen A&M Records, Blige’s record company and a division of the Universal Music Group, the world’s largest music company. Melodies by MJB is the second major artist-centric brand Iovine has helped bring to market. With recording artist Dr. Dre, Iovine also recently developed Beats by Dr. Dre, which has quickly won a significant share of the premium headphone market and has included a partnership with electronics giant Hewlett-Packard.
Said Iovine, “To reach out beyond music, an artist has to become involved with something they're already associated with and truly feel passionate about and not just stick their name on someone else's product. As her fans know, Mary loves fashion and she especially loves sunglasses, making Melodies by MJB a natural fit for her."
Added Stone Douglass, CEO of Orange 21, “We are incredibly excited to work with someone such as Mary who has such phenomenal influence in all aspects of the entertainment world. However, the most exciting element is how much Mary loves eyewear and how committed she is to driving her new brand.”
A second, more extensive, collection for Melodies by MJB will launch in Spring 2011.
Nine-time Grammy Award winner Blige has sold more than 40 million albums in a career spanning almost two decades, becoming a major influence on popular culture. Orange 21, a Southern California eyewear company, designs, manufactures and sells sunglasses under the Spy Optic, Margaritaville and O’Neill brands. Orange 21 has been manufacturing and distributing high quality eyewear since 1994.
The innovative and creative collaboration was nurtured with the guidance and support of Jimmy Iovine, Chairman of Interscope Geffen A&M Records, Blige’s record company and a division of the Universal Music Group, the world’s largest music company. Melodies by MJB is the second major artist-centric brand Iovine has helped bring to market. With recording artist Dr. Dre, Iovine also recently developed Beats by Dr. Dre, which has quickly won a significant share of the premium headphone market and has included a partnership with electronics giant Hewlett-Packard.
Said Iovine, “To reach out beyond music, an artist has to become involved with something they're already associated with and truly feel passionate about and not just stick their name on someone else's product. As her fans know, Mary loves fashion and she especially loves sunglasses, making Melodies by MJB a natural fit for her."
Added Stone Douglass, CEO of Orange 21, “We are incredibly excited to work with someone such as Mary who has such phenomenal influence in all aspects of the entertainment world. However, the most exciting element is how much Mary loves eyewear and how committed she is to driving her new brand.”
A second, more extensive, collection for Melodies by MJB will launch in Spring 2011.
