In true hip hop form…R&B singer Ciara will begin diverting some of her concentration away from her music to focus on her blossoming modeling career after recently signing with the agency, Wilhelmina.  Ciara, who of course has been featured in a series of Rocawear ads apparently is looking to further leverage her C- list fame to cultivate a more serious modeling career.  With Wilhelmina boasting placements with campaigns Versace, Donna Karen Hugo Boss, Prada, Bannana Republic, Loreal and Clinique this will clearly be shift for Ciara to market a more high end product than Rocawear (no offense.)  She won’t be alone however as Wilhelmina is also the home of singers Brandy, Nick Lashey, Ashley & Jessica Simpson and Ryan Cabrera.

“Modeling has always been one of my aspirations,” says Ciara. “But I was insecure about my height. I thought I was 5′7″ but I just found out that I’m 5′8″ so I’m really excited about that.”  Uhhhhh ok…that’s a real ditzy comment.  Perhaps you should also think about a publicity while you’re at it.    

In Ciara Business Matters, she is also in talks with discounters Steve & Barry’s, to develop and affordable line of gear that reflects her personal style following in the footsteps of other Steve & Barry’s collaborators, Sarah Jessica Parker and Stephon Marbury. 

I wonder if she’ll be modeling her new line for Steve & Barry’s.  See this is where the branding is important.  These two announcements are in essence a contradiction in terms.  In one breath you’re telling me you have the look to model high end product to an affluent audience but in the other breath you’re looking to launch a clothing line for low budget Old Navy knock off?  I’m not knocking her hustle but perception is everything.  If you’re going to make these two moves perhaps it would show that someone’s actually thought about them if you staggered the announcements.