Photo: NY Times

“She lives fashion. She sings about and says it’s the most fun thing about getting ready for Idol. Her eyes light up when you ask her what kind of shoes she’s wearing.” So says Tommy Hilfiger, who’s working with La Lopez on her newest line for Kohl’s.

If you remember, in the heady days of Bennifer when Jenny purported she was from the block, she started JLO and its allegedly higher end line, Sweetface. It made sense, she was a bona fide fashion icon, scoring more hits on the red carpet than at the box office.

Example A:

And of course, the plunging neckline heard round the world:

That dress made Jennifer Lopez’s career — and coincidentally revived Versace which was struggling under Donatella Versace after the death of her brother Gianni three years earlier in 1997 — and propelled her to fashion fame (and infamy).

So it made sense for her of all people to start a fashion line, but she apparently “didn’t understand the business well enough.” Now with a new Hilfiger on board — Andy, Tommy’s younger brother, was J.Lo’s JLO partner — the old girl’s ready to give it another go.

Sure, Kohl’s isn’t a runway in Milan or a luxurious presentation on the French Riviera, but J. Lo’s going to be getting that J. Simps money.* Coupled with her cushy gig on American Idol, a hit dance song (the gays will take anything) and DVD sales from Selena, La Lopez has mounted a comeback!

And I couldn’t be happier.

There are so few real stars left since reality TV and the Internet has ruined fame for everyone (p.s. follow me on Twitter @LesFabian). Sure, she’s not the most talented singer, or actress, or dancer, or fashion designer, but hey — she’s the best at pretending to do all of them. And that’s called star power, kids.

Sidebar: Who knew Jessica Simpson would be the prototype for 21st century celebrity moguls?

1. Elizabeth and James by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen- because they don’t try so hard.

2. L.A.M.B by Gwen Stefani- the shoes are beyond dope.

3. J.Lo, Sweetface by Jennifer Lopez- even though Sweetface went belly up, she’s the one that started it all, and don’t act like you’ve never owned (or wanted to own) at least one pair of her jeans or one of those ghetto fabulous velour sweatsuits. Guilty.

4. Kate Moss for Topshop- a fashionista’s wet dream

5. House of Harlow by Nicole Richie- hate the girl, love the jewelry.

6. Benjamin Bixby by Andre 3000- gettin his grown man on.

7. Twenty8Twelve by Sienna Miller- Does she still qualify as a celebrity? Nonetheless spring/summer 09 is looking pretty good…

8. Chloe Sevigny for Opening Ceremony- hipster chic at its finest.

9. The Victoria Beckham Collection- this shameless clotheshorse knows her shit.

10. William Rast by Justin Timberlake- I think we were all surprised that this didn’t turn out as bad as we had assumed.

FLORAL PRINT DRESS - 60D34SRED -£60