By Subhash K. Jha, IANS

The John Abraham collection is being launched and the natty actor promises to wear only his brand once the clothes are out.

This was an offer from international clothes brand Wrangler. "Like the Sean John collection in New York, we'll have the John Abraham collection of clothes in Asia. The clothes are going to carry my name and signature," says John with some pride and much affection.

"They'd reflect my personality and the kind of clothes that I feel comfortable wearing. I'd see no need to wear other brands because my collection would have everything that I sartorially aspire to."

John's designers would be from Milan and London and are the same guys who design for Diesel.

"This deal is being franchised through Arvind Mills who are the biggest denim manufacturers in the world. I don't know whether you're aware, but some of the biggest jeans labels like Diesel, True Religion and Seven are manufactured in Tirupur in south India by Arvind Mills and then outsourced to various Western countries.

"The John Abraham Collection will come out of the same factory. The only difference is that the prices will be economised for the Asian market. A pair of jeans with my name will cost anything from Rs.2,500-4,000 in India."

Women need not feel left out. "There's a ladies lineup of clothes that I went to inspect myself. They're lovely. I think women are going to be very satisfied slipping into John Abraham. I do know what women want," he chuckles.

"I mean I know what I'd like to see women wear. This is the first time that Wrangler US has lent its name for a private clothes collection. And that's because their growth in India after I became their ambassador has been noticeable. That's why Wrangler decided to be gracious to me."

John has obviously swung a very lucrative deal.

"The John Abraham Collection is going to take care of a LOT of things in my life in the next five years, including paying for my marriage, and my honeymoon. Financially, I'm always in the red because I'm always trying to invest. In fact, at this very moment, I'm in the red. But that only makes me work harder all the time."

Is John sure he won't like to wear other brands once his own label comes in? "I'd be very upset with myself if I didn't find everything I want to wear within my brand. And I want my men and women audience to wear only John Abraham clothes. The line-up is very retro. This is one more way to connect with my fans."

Speaking of fan experience how do they react to John. "It's very sweet. They pull my hair, touch my abdominal muscles. But this time when I was on the red carpet in Toronto for 'Kabul Express' I got a nice pinch on my butt.

"I turned around and saw the girl smiling and boasting to her friend. 'Don't you do that again,' I told her with a smile. My security guys go through a nightmare when I'm out. But I enjoy it. Only, sometimes they scratch you. And that's painful."