[If fashion is war, then consider Zandile Blay your embedded reporter. From fashion shows to stylish parties, she's there to cover it all -- from London to New York and everywhere in between. Read all about it from your favorite fashionista.]

Kwame Jackson from the first season of the hit reality show, The Apprentice, always impressed me. Call me shallow if you must, but it wasn't his intelligence, leadership, or charm that did it for me -- but his wardrobe. Jackson was always sharply dressed and well groomed. Now he's capitalizing on his business chic with his latest venture: Krimson by Kwame, a line of high end ties f or men.
The name is a clever play on his Harvard Business School education (school colors are crimson) and his membership in the prestigious Kappa Alpha Si fraternity (organization's colors are crimson and cream). I caught up with him at Macy's flagship store in New York City the other day to chat about his latest collection. Fortunately for him, he really didn't have to do much talking: the scene by his line of ties said it all.

In the hour or so that we spent together, a steady stream of men -- some by themselves, others in groups kept coming up to the Krimson by Kwame tie stand. The bold patterns and vibrant colors would attract them and like clock work they would bypass other brands, head straight for Kwame's ties, and many not recognizing him would ask for his help - which he graciously offered.

In between these one on ones he checked in with me to answer a few questions about his new label - herewith our interview.

Zandile Blay: What have you been up to since The Apprentice?

Kwame Jackson: Oh! a bunch of stuff. After "The Apprentice" I was offered all kinds of jobs from Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban to firms on Wall Street, but I decided I wanted to put my head down and try to figure out what else could be.

When I tour as a professional speaker - I have done about 250 lectures all over the world from corporations to colleges to non-profits - one of the things I say is that we have our whole lives to be ordinary and only a few fleeting moments to be extraordinary. If you really think about that, no one is gonna stop you from being ordinary. No one is going to stop you from having a nine to five or living your life in an ordinary way. But people are always going to try to get in front of you being extraordinary and reaching for your dreams. Reaching for my dreams is what I've been trying to do for the last four years.

So I've been working as a professional speaker. I've launched Krimson by Kwame- a national brand sold at selected Macy's and Belk stores across the country; and I've been dabbling in real-estate, some projects more successful than others. I've done television and had offers with CNBC and a few other national networks. I've just really been trying to find my way as an entrepreneur to see where I can make my mark and I think Krimson by Kwame is the beginning of that after a four year journey.

ZB That's beautiful. Let's talk about Krimson by Kwame. How do you think shoppers will receive it?

KJ I hope they accept it as an authentic brand for the Generation Next professional. I hope they see it as , "Hey this represents me!" I mean, you saw for yourself, as people kept coming up to the rack saying, "Wow the color attracted me. I didn't know you wereKwame or this is your brand. I was actually attracted by the quality and the color and the fabrics of the ties."

That's the ultimate statement. Forget that it's Krimson by Kwame. Forget that it has anyone's name on it. What matters is that the product speaks for itself and resonates with people.

I hope that as the label grows people will see it as the resurrection of the professional man - the revitalizing of elegance. I hope they see this label as injecting a little bit of old world elegance back to the work place. I mean, that's whatKrimson is all about: that old world, Great Gatsby, Harvard figure mixed with that modern-day cool professional. That's what Krimson is about and I hope that the brand will continue to resonate that way.

ZB That sounds good, but do you really believe in this vision for your label? Or is this just another business venture you hope will be profitable?

KJ Well think about it - I am not rich. My family doesn't have money. I am not a multi-million dollar platinum selling artist who happened to put his name on something. This is my business, this is my baby, this is my vision for the young professional. So when I talk about being an authentic brand, or an authentic entrepreneur someone who is truly hungry but humble- that's me. I don't think you can get any more authentic than that. I am not doing it cause its a fun thing to do or Donald Trump told me to do it or someone is giving me a check. I am doing this because I believe in it.

ZB Does that motivate your sales strategy? Because I am blown away that you are actually helping customers, and giving them tips.

KJ I've been in sales for years. I was in sales at Proctor and Gamble and I was in sales at Goldman Sachs. I've always been comfortable selling ideas that I believe in and am passionate about andKrimson by Kwame is a personal testament. I mean its got my name on it so you cant' get anymore personal than that. You have to feel passionate about it. Beside that, I really enjoy connecting with people.

ZB I did not know men were so clueless when it came to picking things out. Do you have any style tips you want to share with the readers, because you always look sharp.

KJ Thank you very much. I will admit that many men need help and I do summon up my inner metro-sexual - my inner Ryan Seacrest - to help them out. But you know, it's just a matter of confidence. I think that dressing in the end - as I was saying to that other customer - is about what makes you feel good. You don't want to put on something soavant-garde that people are gonna look at it and make you feel uncomfortable cause you are not confident in it.

Luckily at Krimson, there is a tie here for every man- from the style beginner to the intermediate to the advanced - that will make him feel comfortable and confident. 50% of our customers are women, soKrimson is also a brand for all those girlfriends, wives, mothers, and aunts out there who want to help edge their man along a little bit and give him a little element of style.


To learn more about Krimson by Kwame or to purchase the ties log on to www.krimsonbykwame.com.