Celebrity Fashions. Fair Game for Real Designers?

They have it all. Multi-million dollar movie deals, swarms of adoring fans, and countless perks that we can only be dream of and, secretly, envy.

Celebrities are now jumping onto the fashion design bandwagon by creating their own lines. And why not? They’re already filling movie theaters and concert venues across the country. Millions listen to their music or watch them on TV. Now these adoring fans can take the next step and look like them as well. I remember a time when this industry was ruled by designers and models. Now any celeb with a pretty face and a fan club to back it can rule the racks at Macy’s.

Sweet face in Sweetface

Let’s start with a little line called Sweetface. In 2004 Jennifer Lopez opened up shop on her first designer effort. By years end, she pocketed a lump sum of 130 million dollars. What’s real shocking is this was way before Sweetface became the higher end urban line everyone thinks of when imaging Lopez, JLo.

Not as weird as Jessica Simpson and her dad, but close.

With every fashion plus, there is a fashion failure. For every JLo there is a House of Dereon. Who would have thought that with Beyonce’s incredible red carpet style and with mother and stylist Tina Knowles as designer that this House’s foundation would be shakey? The least promising of the celebrity driven fashion lines, Dereon fails to impress and is in serious need an “upgrade”. But with plans to hit up the plus size market and new distribution through the HSN, Beyonce is probably getting ready for a serious move “to the left” if sales don’t improve. But I mean really people, were we expecting much from this line, corset styled prints on a cotton tank top…what were they thinking?

Someone who I feel I must mention and who has to be my favorite celebrity design house right now is Jovovich-Hawk. Milla Jovovich and Carmen Hawk teamed up to produce this line of vintage inspired pieces. What I love about this label is its ability to bring back styles from decades past and give them fresh, original twists. Finally, you can stop trying to squeeze into grandmas’ wasp waisted hand-me-downs.

Do I think that celebrities are going to take over this industry? NO! And if you think so you are clearly forgetting great classics like Coco Chanel and Cristobal Balenciaga and modern innovators like Philip Lim and Zac Posen. It sure is fun to see celebrities try their hand at fashion? What’s next? Missy Elliott Tracksuits? Wait, I think that one already happened.

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