United States Of America : Rifkind Launches Urban Clothing Label

Steve Rifkind has signed an agreement with Koral Industries, home of high-end jeanswear Seven, to launch new male and female urban lines called Street Team and S. Team, respectively.

Steve Rifkind is a founder of rap label Loud Records, is planning to get into the urban clothing business his new Street Records label just had a top 10 debut on the album chart with hip-hopper David Banner.

Street Team and S. Team will be launched with a sweatwear line geared to the urban market, specifically music and athletic fans, Rifkind said.

The sweat pants, for example, will be equipped with pockets to hold such urban music staples as pagers, mobile phones, two-ways and the latest craze, iPods. Eventually, such other accessories as backpacks, key chains and wallets will be added to the Street Team line.

Unlike such other urban clothiers as Russell Simmons' Phat Farm, Sean Combs' Sean John and Jay-Z's Rocawear, Rifkind said Street Team has the advantage of not being directly associated with a single celebrity. Rifkind said he hopes to associate numerous artists with the brand and do radio promotions as well.

"I've been thinking about doing this for about 15 years," Rifkind said. "Finding the right partner was very important."

Rifkind said he hopes the line will be available at small retailers by the fall -- in time for the holiday shopping cycle. Leading department stores including Macy's and Bloomingdale's will also carry the line.