In an exclusive interview with Newsweek in the February 12 issue (on newsstands Monday, February 5), he says that his menswear line, Sean John, has special meaning for him.

"When I'm Sean John, it's definitely like an alter ego. It's something that's separate from the music and the videos and my celebrity. I started it to do it forever, and if I don't train people in the Sean John flavor as far as designing, the idea won't be able to live long."

Revenue from the Sean John (Combs' given name) line has eclipsed that from Combs' Bad Boy music label, and accounts for almost $100 million of the $160 million posted last year by all his ventures, reports Assistant Editor Alisha Davis. Combs was also nominated for the Council of Fashion Designers of America Award -- fashion's Oscar -- last year.

And when he presents his second collection this week at New York Fashion Week, it will be the first ever to be broadcast live, with E! and the Style channel doing a live two-hour simulcast.

Public interest in Combs is also high because he is currently on trial in Manhattan and faces up to 15 years in prison if found guilty of gun possession and bribery. The charges stem from a shooting 14 months ago in which three nightclub patrons were injured.