As far as pop star entourages go, this isn't a huge one. Sizeable, sure, but not P Diddy big. There's a velour sweatsuit here and a bluetooth headset there, and a gaggle of large gentlemen with indefinite positions getting Mr Usher everything from sauce-free fish to wife-beater vests with precisely the correct width of ribbing.
And there in the middle stands the man himself, who takes the term 'self-confidence' to fresh heights. Maybe it's the assurance that comes with knowing your last album went platinum five times over, and that barely a music award ceremony goes by without you claiming maximum nods.
For our Collections collection the R&B legend also proved that beyond his skills as a performer, he has a number of alternative careers up his Versace sleeves and an overwhelmingly encyclopedic knowledge of clothing that can turn into a stylist's worst nightmare. But ultimately, a photographer's dream...


So how did you find our shoot?

Man, it was a beautiful session. I enjoyed the photographer and the model; the entire day was hectic because we were trying to capture so many moments in pictures, but I get a kick out of it. Photographs and fashion to me are like role playing - the more clothes you can come up with and the better combinations you can come up with, the more characters you can take on.

Did you have a favourite from the day?

No - but the overall shoot represented elegance and a man of power, a gentleman. I was just really excited. I felt like if there was an Usher in the 40s this is what he'd look like, this is how he would conduct himself, this is what he'd be doing. You see the writer, the guy who contemplates his next lyric, the performer, the director; and then just the fly guy, the playboy. Actually, I'm not going to say playboy, I'm going to say gentleman. There's a clear distinction between playboys of that time and gentleman. There are no gentlemen left in this time, and that's what I feel that this shoot represents, and what I represent to an extent as well.

Are you a gentleman?

I think that I am a gentleman, yes. Of course, per English standards I need a little work.

Which areas need smoothing out?

I don't know - maybe I shouldn't judge myself. But some of my behaviour is not very gentlemanly.

You seem to be doing ok just the way you are.

Yeah, that's right, but I am most certainly a gentleman. And that was the motivating word for this shoot. We wanted to go with garments that were 40s inspired, but complimentary to my physique.

How do you describe your own style?

You're never going to get it; you'll never know what to expect. It is classy, elegant, edgy, true and rude - the best of all worlds, man. I never wear one thing; I'm never seen in one garment twice. I'm having fun with it right now. Some people would allow the clothes to dress them: I don't. I get into the clothes and become the character. That means if I pick up a cigarette or have a glass of scotch - and I don't necessarily drink or smoke on a daily basis, but that's my character - it's about what it takes to really make that character and this picture amusing to look at. It's about how we can sell this picture so that you're inspired by it and intrigued by what you're looking at.

Do you have any personal style icons?

Yes, I do. Tom Ford is one of the people that I honestly love. Dolce and Gabbana, their style I love. Valentino - oh my God, love it.

Do you have a favourite designer?

Probably Tom Ford. He's one that takes risks, and that's why I love him. This is my plan. In my career, in branding, something I'm planning on doing is having a clothing line. But it will be more than a clothing line, it will be a lifestyle. That's what I feel Tom Ford does, he speaks to you through his clothing, he dictates how you should feel, and he's also one to wear his own clothes. You're not just buying into a lifestyle he's come to in his mind - this is something he's offering you.

So you're planning to do your own line?

Yes - Dolce and Gabbana have inspired me, Roberto Cavalli has inspired me, Valentino has inspired me, Oswald Boateng has inspired me - I love fashion. I am a fashion baby. I'm the youngest of all of them - I don't know when their careers in fashion started, and whether it was before the age of 25, but mine started at 21. I plan on going down the same path provided I have the right people around me to make sure that it's right. It's not just another moment to exploit me and my personality. I feel like a lot of entertainers do that just for the money. They come out with a clothing line and put it out there and exploit their name and not really care about the product. But not me.

What's it going to be called?

I don't have the name yet. And that's normally how I do things, believe it or not. I will be inspired before the name will come to me - I'll see it before it happens. Part of my speaking about it here makes it come true.

Do you describe yourself as more of a dress up or a dress down kind of a guy?

I'm more of a dress around guy. I don't dress up or down. I'm the type of guy who never dresses for an occasion.

What's the most you've ever spent on one item of clothing?

Too much. I don't even know, man, from fur jackets to custom made shoes, tailored suits that cost up to $5000...

That's a lot of dough.

That's a lot of dough for a suit. It better have a built in fax phone and changing room for that.

Or at least make you invisible.

Right - invisible! That would be cool.

You ever had a fashion disaster?

I've had a few, yes. I wore this V-neck and the V dropped all the way down to my navel. It was the worst thing I've ever put on in my life. It was a Dolce and Gabbana and at that time I was just intrigued. I was young, I didn't know a lot about fashion, but I was willing to take risks. And that's what fashion is. But at the time my demographic didn't get it. Now if I look back at the picture I wish I'd have had something on my neck. But it was a little risky and a fashion no no. I got bad reviews on it.

At least you've got the stomach to carry a plunging V-neck off.

Ha! Right.

Any other fashion disasters?

In my beginning days there was this yellow outfit I wore and man, it was not right.

Head to toe in yellow?

Right, head to toe. And there were a few Versace moments that were kind of risque?

When you were a kid, did you have a regular pulling outfit?

No, I never dress for the ladies off the stage. I'd wear what I wear and let personality speak for itself - I wasn't the type of young guy who wears a suit. That wasn't what I used to attract a woman.

What did you use?

When I was around 18, 19, 20 - I'm 26 now - I would normally wear just a pair of slacks and some jeans, and an open flowing shirt showing my muscles. That's what I used to attract the women.

That worked for you?

Oh yeah - they dug it man.

Any old clothing you can't bring yourself to throw away?

All of it. I have a room in Atlanta, Georgia where I collect all of the clothing that I've ever worn. I keep it for memorabilia and there's emotion, there's a time associated with all of that clothing and it brings me back to great moments. If you go into something like the Hard Rock Café and they have a suit up that was worn by Marvin Gaye in 1960, that's special. It's lucky he didn't throw the clothes away.

Ever go in to the Usher clothes museum and pick yourself something out to wear today?

Sometimes I go through it and find something because I shop so much. That's my hobby and it's the worst hobby to have, but I shop and collect clothes. I'll go in there and find something I haven't worn from 2000 and I'll find a way to work it into my wardrobe. Different designers will send me clothing and I'll have it there on hold waiting for that opportunity to wear it. As you see I dress for every period, not just for now. I try to create a style that's not offensive. I try to be creative.

Have you got a favourite piece of clothing?

My jeans - any pair that fit properly - Gucci, Rock & Republic, True Religion...

Would you ever be seen in a pair of Gap jeans?

Well I wore Gap jeans before but nowadays I prefer another designer.

Any mall/high street stores you would be seen in?

You know what? In this movie I've just done - Dying for Dolly - I was very shocked by Banana Republic (US retail chain). Man, they have some great suits. The character I play could only afford to wear Banana Republic, but the suit was phenomenal. They way they cut it, and when we tailored it it made it even better. Man they have some really good looks. I think American designers are really stepping up to the plate, man.

Ever done any modelling?

I did some modelling in my earlier days for Tommy Hilfiger, and I did a cross promotion with Sean Jean - they dressed the entire 8701 tour. Otherwise no - my worth has stepped up a little bit, so it's kind of hard to just all of a sudden break and become a model. But my career will take you back and make you realise that music and fashion go hand in hand. The music business has changed and it's because of artists like myself and Jay-Zee; we've got to step it up and realise it's not just about an attitude, it's also about the perception of the character. People buy into your character when they purchase that album. The day of the R&B artist had kind of died away; it became all about rap, and rap is an attitude, it's gangster. The R&B artist wore bow ties and double-breasted Italian cut suits, sharkskin coats - that day had passed. Well that day is back now and I'm Ushering it in.

We hear you're working on some watch designs?

I'm working on a watch design, a fragrance line, sports apparel... I'm working on everything, on overall branding.

Will that side ever replace the music?

I think them running hand in hand breeds more success, and I think as time goes on record companies will buy more into the artist. Nowadays they cheat the artist out of his rights, but now they've figured it out and are saying, fine, here, take my money, take my rights in terms of writing, give me a smaller cheque and now I'm going to have you blow me up as huge as you possibly can. But yeah, my style is going to take over. I can become bigger than any record.

How about making more films - you've already appeared in a few?

I moved into it about four or five years ago and since then have acted in a lot of films. Some did pretty well, some did fairly well, but I haven't had that one big movie to break me yet.

Is that something you really want?

Yes - the movie I recently did with Lions Gate, Dying for Dolly, I'm very proud of. It features Chazz Palminteri and it's a piece about a black guy - obviously - who falls in love with an Italian woman. It's a romantic comedy and it's something very different for me. What I've always been capable of doing is character playing, I go outside of my own image to search for other things, and in acting you can do that. People typecast you when you only do one thing, but nowadays I think everybody recognises me as a very respected entertainer, and that's what I've always wanted.

You worked with Ashton Kutcher on Texas Rangers: did he play any practical jokes on you?

He is a practical joker, period, constant comedy. We played golf together too - he kicked my butt. He's very intense - almost too intense.

As a golfer or an actor?

As a golfer. He takes it so seriously. We played basketball too and I was on his team - every time I messed up he'd just go nuts. I'm like 'man, we're just playing basketball - it's ok!'

Did he ever Punk you?

Yes - he had my brother go to a female apparel store and steal some clothing. My brother would never steal anything - he doesn't have a reason to - but for some reason they caught me up in the moment. They had me upset. I fell for it.

Did you want to give him a smack afterwards?

My brother, most certainly.

You look like you could handle yourself - how do you stay in shape?

Man, it's what I eat and the type of lifestyle I have. I'm always on the move.

When I'm on the move I always end up at Burger King...

Not me. You will not supersize me. It's egg whites and turkey bacon for breakfast, fish and broccoli all day. I eat red snapper, mahi mahi, grouper… any type of white fish, and broccoli.

And you work out too?

Not as much as I run. Though my schedule is so hectic that it's hard - it's no joke, man.

When your abs are so sharp is it hard to keep them hidden? Aren't you tempted to get them out all the time?

I'm quite happy to keep it covered - I want to leave you with still something to see a little bit later.

You were initially spotted at school and given a contract: did it make your classmates pissed off?

Some of them were jealous, but those were the ones who were not friends. I had a lot of friends in high school for the time I attended it, but I was more in pursuit of the ladies. I wasn't the cutest guy - women were into guys who could dress, and I couldn't dress as a kid. I had no clue. I would probably every year get voted worst dressed.

How did you pull then?

I'd sing to them. I'd entertain them. I managed to sing to them and talk to them and just have fun with them. In those days it wasn't about trying to have a relationship with a girl as much as it was to just entertain them. I was only 13, 14, I didn't know anything about sex or anything like that. I just knew I wanted to entertain them.

Is that what spurred you on professionally?

I think my talent drove me to do this - it's a natural God given talent to entertain.

And now you date a lot of models...

Actually, I'm into models but I don't date a lot of them.

What about you and Naomi?

People presumed me and Naomi Campbell were a couple, but how could we break up if we were never together?

You weren't ever a couple?

Never a couple - we were friends and we were around each other a lot, but we were never a couple. It's funny when I listen to the publicity that goes out, both negative and positive. In Europe they run with stories and in America they feed back. I don't have the opportunity to go out and call every radio station and say what you're quoting is not true. This is the disadvantage you as an artist have when people can talk about you; you have to sit there and take it and wait for the opportunity to tell them.

Well, here's an opportunity for you...

OK then - I never dated Naomi Campbell. She accompanied me to an event and is a great friend of mine that I think is a great person - and she's great at what she does - but I've never dated her. But I do enjoy models, yes I do, I do.

There was an out there story in the tabloids last weekend about you having a seven-in-a-bed-sex session - any truth in that?

As always there's some story. It's just rubbish man, just crazy.

So it's not true then?

This is rubbish, man. But it's kind of entertaining to look and realise that so many people have so many different views of me.

I'm kind of disappointed - I was hoping it was true.

I'm sure you were - I guess you would live out your fantasy through me, or something, right?

Exactly.

Ha! Naahhh man. Sorry, but they write all kind of stuff.

So you're not dating anyone?

Yes I am dating someone.

Anyone you can tell us about?

No.

Is she in the biz?

Yes.

A singer?

No.

A model?

You know, I'm not going to play this guessing game with you man. But I do date - I'm 26 years old, and that's what you do. You try and figure out what works for you.

Who'd be your ideal woman?

My ideal woman would have confidence. I'm not necessarily looking for a woman who's independent - if she is that makes it even better because then she's not as reliant. I'm not looking for a woman who is extremely reliant on me, but she doesn't have to be extremely independent. As a matter of fact that makes it harder because some independent women are so independent that they don't want to accept any help, even if it's just kind, gentlemanly help. A hand, an ear to listen... but I'm looking for a woman, a beautiful woman with a great personality who's confident. And I think I have a great chance being in the position I am... I travel a lot, I'm all over the place, maybe she'll pop up.

You are all over the place a lot working hard - do you ever feeling like giving it up and sitting on a beach somewhere?

Every time I do that I end up gaining about ten pounds and end up mad at myself that I have to work ten times harder. You know, there's a fat man living inside of me.

Will he ever get out?

I hope not, man. Because those abs of steel will most certainly turn into flabs of steel.

Tell me about Atlanta - what do you like about it.

It's diversity. The fact that you can get a little bit of everything in Atlanta. The soul of Atlanta is very outgoing but not damaging to your spirit. You won't go to Atlanta and lose your soul. You might go to LA and maybe lose your soul. Or you may go to London and become very proper. But Atlanta to me represents family; on Sunday you go to church. The world can give you the runaround man, Atlanta is like a great centre for me. I've been in the world and let it do what it's going to do to me, and then go back to Atlanta and it's just a bit of normalcy.

What's the worst thing about Atlanta?

The worst thing about Atlanta is it only gets you half way there. You've got to go do business with other States to get it, but it's growing very fast.

If you were at the gates of heaven and had to make a confession to St Peter, what would you tell him?

I wouldn't tell you!

Is it that bad?

Well, we all have our confessions.

Lately you've been getting a bit of a rep as a male diva - is it fair?

I think it's very unfair. I'm not a diva at all. It's really out of my control as it's all dictated by the press. I think a diva demands to be treated a specific way and becomes volatile of he's not.

You never get volatile?

I'm not going to say I never get volatile but I'm not a diva. I'm most certainly a person who knows what I want and what I need, but does that make you a diva? There was a story in London recently that I wouldn't walk across the street for a party, but every time I walk in the street there's paparazzi all over the place. So what would you do?

Get in the car.

Right, and plan an alternate route and make it as easy as possible to get in and out of situations. That's why I have bodyguards, to help me stop the paparazzi from doing what they do.