P. Miller Adds "Miller Peaches," a Women's and Girls' Clothing Line to Its Growing, Affordable Lifestyle Brand and Announces Talent Search Seeking "The Great American Girl"

With the economy in shambles, American families are looking for ways to stretch their hard-earned dollar without sacrificing quality. P. Miller and Romeo have taken it upon themselves to provide the budget-conscious consumer with high-fashion at low prices by adding an affordable women's and girls' line called Miller Peaches "Freshly Preserved" to their popular brand, P. Miller Designs.

The Miller Peaches clothing line combines designer style with great value and is targeted at young women from all walks of life. The line consists of the same quality clothing available from pricier brands like Bebe, Baby Phat, or Juicy Couture, but Miller Peaches retails for much less: about $10 for tops and $20 and under for bottoms. Miller Peaches specializes in stretch denim for those with curvier physiques and the line will also contain plus-sizes.

"P. Miller truly is a complete lifestyle brand, which now includes P. Miller Designs for young men, Miller Peaches for young women, Kids, Shoes and Accessories lines," said Miller. "This brand seeks to clothe the entire family from head to toe and target the African American and Hispanic minority customers and make history by being a quality, affordable, urban lifestyle brand for the community."

P. Miller will conduct a nationwide search for "The Great American Girl" who will become the brand's supermodel and spokeswoman. Miller Peaches has aligned itself with Better Black Television (BBTV) for this promotion.

"We are looking for The Miller Peaches Great American Girl... is it you?" asked Miller. "Tell us what makes you The Miller Peaches Great American Girl for a chance at an opportunity with our national advertising campaign for Miller Peaches clothing."

P. Miller, the brand of the community, offers a lifestyle of opportunity through its diversity, outreach care programs and its focus on the community. Created by Percy Miller, the P. Miller clothing line brings a culturally diverse product to the everyday consumer. Its Young Men's line is currently available at Wal-Mart.

For more information on The Great American Girl Search, visit www.betterblacktv.com

Master P and Romeo took the stage at the recent Essence Music Festival in New Orleans, but instead of performing, they came to send their message of change, education, hard work and following one's dreams to thousands of local youth.

While addressing the crowd, many of whom had lined up hours before their arrival, the father and son team talked about the importance of education and vision as tools for inner city kids to overcome the extreme challenges they face in daily life.

"New Orleans is my home, it's where I was born and raised," said Master P. "I was able to overcome an environment filled with poverty, drugs, and violence through education, setting goals, and dreaming big. I understand the financial struggles faced by inner-city families, so I created high fashion clothing at affordable prices that will be available at Wal-Mart in August for back-to-school season. I look forward to coming back to Essence year after year to empower our youth and watch my people grow."

As a former resident of New Orleans' notorious Calliope Projects, Master P stood before the audience as a living example of how one can break free from the confines of a negative environment and become a successful role model for others. He now counts promoting education, financial literacy and aiding underprivileged children among his responsibilities.

Romeo during his senior year at high school, he was injured, unable to play basketball, so he focused on his studies. The experience of sitting on the bench, watching his teammates play, made him realize how important school is, which is why he pushes that issue to the kids today.

"Kids always think that basketball and sports is the only thing you can do, but it definitely made me realize how much more important my education really is," Romeo told BallerStatus.com in a recent interview. "That's what really made me wanna pursue this and show the kids that everything is possible. If you have an education, then life beyond your education can go that much farther."

P and Romeo were joined by brands such as Coca-Cola and Wal-Mart in support the Essence Music Festival in their hometown. Together, the sponsors, speakers, and entertainers pledged to continue the rebuilding efforts after the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina. The community finds itself at the mercy of a high crime rate and lack of education, which Master P and Romeo seek to rectify through their inspirational messages and actions.

Master P and his son, fellow hip-hop hit-maker Romeo, have agreed to relaunch their P. Miller Designs apparel line exclusively through Wal-Mart, Billboard has learned.

The father-son duo's brand of men's apparel will be available at about 350 Wal-Mart stores starting in July and will include graphic T-shirts, fleece hoodies and fashion denims. The P. Miller line was last available at such retailers as Kohl's and Mervyns "a few years ago," Master P (aka Percy Miller) said

.

The veteran rapper said that Wal-Mart was a logical vendor for P. Miller Designs, which he described as "high fashion at an affordable cost." Master P said he has shifted most responsibilities for the clothing line to 18-year-old Romeo.

"Wal-Mart stands for everything P. Miller does," he said. "It's America and diversity. Our whole thing is price point. I want to put out affordable clothes where the masses can buy them."

Wal-Mart's partnership with a former gangsta rapper like Master P might seem surprising. But the hip-hop artist and entrepreneur has cleaned up his image in recent years, thanks in part to the success of Romeo(formerly Lil Romeo), who has charted with kid-friendly rap hits and starred in his own show on Nickelodeon.

Indeed, Wal-Mart's sale of P. Miller Designs will be its second partnership with Master P. The big-box chain is the exclusive physical retailer of Master P and Romeos 2007 CD, "Miller Boyz: Hip-Hop History," the first release on the elder rapper's profanity-free Take a Stand Records imprint. (The album is also available for download at online music stores.)

Master P has launched other urban clothing lines through the years, including P. Miller Signature and P. Miller Shorties, a collection for children. Master P and Romeo won't be the first celebrities to sell a branded apparel line exclusively through Wal-Mart, though. The retailer sells girls fashions named after tween sensations Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen.

Check out Romeo new interview at Baller Status!

http://www.ballerstatus.com/article/features/2008/06/4962/

“You’re the future of our country. You’re the leaders of tomorrow. Don’t be afraid to change. You can be whatever you decide to be. Keep that vision. Keep that determination. It’s okay to say no to drugs. You don’t have to be in gangs. Get education under your belt, you can do anything. You can follow your dreams.”
   
This was the message given by rapper Percy Miller – also known as Master P, at the eighth-grade (Friday, June 6, 2008) graduation at Monroe Middle School, also bringing his son, Lil Romeo, to perform a brief concert.
   
Master P, a hip-hop icon, made a promise to students during a surprise September 13, 2007, visit to Monroe Middle School saying he would return if students did well academically. He also promised to bring his son, Lil Romeo, a successful rapper in his own right.
           
Staying good to his word, Master P served as the keynote speaker during the 9 am ceremony. Miller said he was filming a movie in California, and stopped production so he could come to Monroe Middle School’s graduation.
   
“I’m very proud of you,” he told students. “You’ve taken the first step. Education is so important. I came from the streets, but I was able to change my life. I was able to change my life because I wasn’t afraid to further my education. Go out and find yourselves. Find your dreams. This is such a great school to be at.”
   
The screams of hundreds of excited students at Miller’s arrival illustrated his popularity. Those screams only intensified when he announced the arrival of his son, Lil Romeo, who will be going to USC in the near future, majoring in film and business.
   
Romeo also offered encouraging words to the middle school students, stressing the importance of staying in school, getting a good education and saying no to drugs and gangs. After shaking the hand of every graduating eighth-grader, he sang for students.

“I’m the oldest of three brothers and three sisters, so anytime I can give back to kids, I’m feeling good about that,” he said after his performance. “I feel really blessed to be able to give back to these students. This is the future here. To see that people really do care about them really boosts their self esteem.”
   
One by one students filed passed Romeo after their name was called for graduation, many with nervous smiles as they shook his hand. “I was so happy, I was shaking,” said 14-year-old Samyra Blakeney, daughter of Vadia and Robert Smith of Monroe. “It was very nice of them to come here from California. They didn’t have to do that. It shows me that other people care and think we’re important, even if we don’t think they do.”
   
Monroe Middle principal Montrio Belton said the message to students was clear – they are important and keeping your word is important. “Beyond the concert, I hope people see that Percy Miller is a man of integrity, a man of his word. And I hope that’s the message in this; as our students grow up, they will become people of integrity, people of their word.”    
   
Miller speaks to youth around the country, stressing the importance of education, speaking out against violence, drugs and gangs with his program called, Let the Kids Grow. “I’m here to show kids you can break cycles. I was able to come from a community where people were known for selling drugs and being in gangs.”
   
As for taking the time to come to Monroe, Miller said, “Life is not just about making money. Life is about what you do and what you give back. I love to see these kids smile. I learned a valuable lesson. Money is a tool you use; you love people.
   
Belton said he is proud of his students and the school. “Monroe Middle School is the best school in Union County and North Carolina and now these students are beginning to believe they’re special. That’s why we’re actualizing so much success because the students and parents believe they can be successful.”