Kate Napleton,
Jun 02, 2009
When it comes to celebrity designers, there are some that should definitely stick to their original profession. But there are others that have us clamoring to get our hands on their lines, and keep us wondering why they were even singers/actors/models to begin with. I've gathered my five favorite celebs who have made a serious splash in the design world.
Gwen Stefani - LAMB
It's no secret to No Doubt fans that Gwen Stefani has always had phenomenal style. The woman makes 1940s glamour and punk rock look like they've always belonged together. Combine that with her signature platinum blonde hair and her SoCal attitude, and you've got one fabulous fashion designer. LAMB mixes Japanese, Guatemalan, Indian, and Jamaican cultures for an eclectic street-feel that is unparalleled by anything else on the market. The line debuted at New York Fashion Week in 2004 and brings in an annual gross of $90 million. What's more? Fans and fashion critics agree -- Gwen belongs in fashion.
Sienna Miller - Twenty8Twelve
Originally a fashion capsule for Pepe Jeans, Twenty8Twelve (named for Sienna's birthday) launched in September 2007. Working with her sister Savannah, Sienna Miller has put together a gorgeous line based on the life of a London girl, which is something the actress and cosmopolitan fashionista would certainly know about. Twenty8Twelve's first runway collection debuted at London Fashion Week last spring full of gorgeous, functional pieces reflective of Sienna's signature boho-chic style.
Justin Timberlake - William Rast
Seriously, what can't this man do? From his boy band roots to full-fledged pop star and Emmy-winning digital short comedian, Justin Timberlake is a real jack-of-all-trades. So it's no surprise that William Rast, his fashion line with childhood friend Trace Ayala, is a success. Their flattering premium jeans retail for at least $200, and are worn by Joanna Garcia on every episode of The CW's Privileged. I own a pair, and they see the light of day more than any other jeans in my closet.
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen - The Row, Elizabeth and James
Although Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen have a sometimes-strange sense of style, their two fashion lines are classic and just quirky enough to form a perfect balance. The twins showcase their deep love of vintage, high fashion, and couture. Elizabeth and James is named after their two non-famous siblings, and is full of glamorous and bohemian pieces. The Row is a minimalist collection to base any wardrobe on -- fabulous t-shirts, pants, skirts and blazers, made exquisitely, but lacking major detail. If I had an Olsen-sized bank account, there's no doubt I would mix and match every last piece of their collections.
Kate Moss - Kate Moss for Topshop
If you take a woman known the world over for her fantastic sense of style and ask her to create a fashion line, it will fly off your shelves faster than you can say "Kate Moss for Topshop." The original 50-piece collection caused a huge frenzy at the Oxford Circus Topshop location when Moss showed up to model in the store's window on the day of the launch. The collection was later made available in the United States at Barney's, with a Barney's style mark-up, but is now available and affordable at Topshop New York. Although the line received mixed reviews from the press, including the opinion that Kate copied pieces from her own closet, I'd respectfully disagree and argue that she made couture-inspired fashion available to the masses for a reasonable price.
