Paul Stanley of KISS launching lifestyle brand

When you are a big enough music star you eventually parlay your fame into other endeavors. With fashion and music going so hand-in-hand often it's easy to simply put your name on something when your famous enough and have people flocking to buy it. Look at the success of Mariah Carey's perfume line M, or P. Diddy's clothing line Sean John, and you will see that a clothing brand or perfume associated with a celebrity is sure to sell.

Paul Stanley, the front man of the legendary rock band KISS, has announced that he will be launching his own lifestyle brand. He has partnered with branding agency Epic Rights, who will license his new Paul Stanley: Royals and Rebels brand through a licensing program. The line will include men's fashion apparel, footwear, accessories, cookware, food, spirits, and home decor.

It is an ambitious plunge to jump straight into creating a whole lifestyle brand right away, but, for the man who has been the face of an iconic American brand of course he would dare to be bold. This new licensing deal follows a very big year for KISS. In 2014, the brand celebrated their 40th anniversary and they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The band also appeared in the John Varvatos spring 2014 ad campaign. Stanley says the line "will embody the elegance of royals and the attitude of rebels.” For a man who wears Brioni jackets as a signature piece, the line is expected to be quite fashionable. While he has a love of luxury, he wants his line to be at a more affordable price point. According to him, there is nothing wrong with "appealing to the masses."

By spring 2016, the line is expected to be sold by big-box retailers. Stanley has made it clear that the brand won't be just targeted to KISS fans either, so, it will be interesting to see what kind of design aesthetic he will be using. KISS fans will certainly love it either way, after all, outside of his KISS attire, Stanely certain has an original sense of style and fashion.

photo:Michael Cavacini