*NSYNC News

(10/17/01, 1 p.m. ET) -- *NSYNC singer and clothing designer Chris Kirkpatrick debuted his FuMan Skeeto fall and winter women's clothing line at Planet Hollywood Times Square in New York City yesterday (October 16). The pop music superstar and CEO of FuMan Skeeto Enterprises was inspired to create his own clothing line after years of wearing other people's designs while performing. Kirkpatrick launched Fu Man Skeeto, Inc. clothing as the first of many projects he is planning under the umbrella of his FuMan Skeeto Enterprises, which he describes as a creative arts and media company.

Kirkpatrick explained to LAUNCH why he decided to have a fashion show at Planet Hollywood. "We're launching the fall and winter line. Last year was the first year we actually launched a line--we launched our spring line--and it's been crazy because we've been working on the project for about three-and-a-half years," he said.

The fashion show was one of many promotional events Kirkpatrick and his FuMan crew had planned for the month of September, but he told us that he postponed all of his New York appearances following the tragic events of September 11. "This event was postponed because of everything that happened. You know, we didn't want to push anybody. I think a lot of things were kind of set back because of that. You know, I think now is about the time where people are ready to get back out and start living their lives again, and start trying to...I don't want to say forget about the past, but definitely move on--move on from everything that's happened."

FuMan Skeeto clothing is available in Nordstrom and Bloomingdale's department stores nationwide.

Kirkpatrick is the eldest member of *NSYNC, and he celebrates his 30th birthday today (October 17), which will make it very difficult to classify *NSYNC as a "boy band" from now on. "Yes, it's my birthday, and I'm an old man," joked Kirkpatrick when we asked him about reaching the milestone. LAUNCH asked the singer if his groupmates Justin Timberlake, Joey Fatone, Lance Bass, and J.C. Chasez had made any special birthday plans for him tonight. "They had a surprise party for me this weekend, when all the guys came and everybody showed up and they totally surprised me at my house. No plans as of yet--I'm sure my friends will kidnap me and do something to me."

If Kirkpatrick's friends should decide kidnap him tonight, hopefully they will return him in time for the group's scheduled performance at United We Stand What More Can I Give? concert set for this Sunday (October 21) at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.

-- Jason Gelman, New York

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