11:00am Tuesday 16th June 2009
By Lisa Haynes
Stars are no longer content with sticking to the day job. They’re putting down the film scripts and microphones and taking time out from the red carpet to design their own fashion collections.
Forget grabbing the latest catwalk must-haves, the new trend in celeb-land is launching your own label to be snapped in by the paparazzi.
From high street Kate Moss Topshop to Victoria Beckham’s designer £5,000 made-to-order dresses, the fad for dabbling in clothes, shoes and jewellery is catching on.
Kanye West (for Louis Vuitton) and Beth Ditto (for Evans) are two more celebs who are soon to add ‘fashion designer’ to their star-studded CVs.
Take another look at the most talked-about celebrity ranges. You may not favour the talent that gained them star status but, who knows, you could end up being their biggest fashion fan.
MISCHA BARTON
LABEL: Mischa Barton Handbags.
THE RANGE: Former OC actress Mischa has come up with a collection of affordable arm candy in a range of styles from oversized totes to dainty clutches, starting at a very non A-lister price of £20.
STANDOUT PIECE: Marissa Drawstring tan bag, £195.
MISCHA SAYS: “They’re bags that I think are pretty, and that I’d like to see on other people too. I talked with my mum and she’s like, ‘Throw one in for me that I’ll wear’. I make them for everyone, not just for myself.”
AVAILABLE AT: mischabartonhandbags.com
SIENNA MILLER
LABEL: Twenty8Twelve.
THE RANGE: The actress has collaborated with her fashion designer sister, Savannah to create their catwalk label, which consists of easy, chic separates and on-trend statement dresses.
STANDOUT PIECE: Multicolour Yasmin waistcoat, £165.
SIENNA SAYS: “My sister’s the ‘sketcher’. I can barely draw a stick man, let alone a frock... but I have an aesthetic that she understands.”
AVAILABLE AT: Harvey Nichols; Matches; ASOS.com; my-wardrobe.com
LIAM GALLAGHER
LABEL: Pretty Green.
THE RANGE: T-shirts, polo shirts, hats, scarves and jumpers with a retro feel that will appeal to “mad for it” Oasis fans. There are currently six key pieces available in white, red, navy or black.
STANDOUT PIECE: Green parka jacket, £245. Available from next month.
LIAM SAYS: “Clothes and music are my passion... wearing top clothes and singing in tune are pretty important. They’re pretty much the same thing.”
AVAILABLE AT: prettygreen.com
KATE MOSS
LABEL: Kate Moss Topshop.
THE RANGE: Ditsy prints and heavy embellishment reminiscent of vintage finds from Kate’s own bohemian wardrobe.
STANDOUT PIECES: Embroidered scarf dress, £120, and zebra bandeau dress, £65.
KATE SAYS: “I love clothes. I know how they should fit and feel. It’s really just making things that I want: The little sun dresses I always wanted, the little bus-stop dresses that I always cut too short and now I can’t wear any more. Now I make them a couple of inches longer!”
AVAILABLE AT: Topshop.
JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE
LABEL: William Rast.
THE RANGE: Justin works with fellow designers Johan Lindeberg,Trace Ayala and Marcella Lindeberg for American-based denim brand focusing on jeans, leathers and shirts for both men and women.
STANDOUT PIECE: Black leather jacket, around £425.
JUSTIN SAYS: “The spirit of the collection is new America. We’ve taken everything that is iconic about Americana culture and made it modern.”
AVAILABLE AT: williamrast.com
NICOLE RICHIE
LABEL: House Of Harlow 1960.
THE RANGE: Named after Nicole’s daughter, Harlow, the Simple Life star’s first jewellery collection is inspired by her love of vintage. Think gipsy bohemia with a tribal twist.
STANDOUT PIECE: Three Strand gold headband, £189.
NICOLE SAYS: “I’m really inspired by the Sixties and Seventies and have a pretty big collection of vintage bits – this particular range was based on that.”
AVAILABLE AT: my-wardrobe.com; bunnyhug.co.uk
THE OLSEN TWINS
LABEL: Elizabeth and James.
THE RANGE: US style-savvy twins Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen act as muses and co-designers for this label – a mix of androgynous menswear-inspired blazers and shirts alongside delicate dresses.
STANDOUT PIECE: Oversized tuxedo-style jacket, £314.
ASHLEY SAYS: “It’s a clash between masculinity and femininity.”
AVAILABLE AT: net-a-porter.com; my-wardrobe.com
SADIE FROST
LABEL: Floozie by FrostFrench.
THE RANGE: Sadie and her best friend Jemima French include fun and flirty retro styles in their underwear and swimwear collection.
STANDOUT PIECE: Vintage camisole, £12, and ruffle hipster pant, £6.
SADIE SAYS: “It’s young, directional and above all, sexy. Floozie was great fun to design and should be even more fun to wear.”
AVAILABLE AT: Debenhams.
JADE JAGGER
LABEL: Jade Jagger Jewellery.
THE RANGE: Former model Jade has created a range of accessories for rock chicks, including statement enamel lips necklaces and rings that surely her father Rolling Stone Mick must have provided the inspiration for.
STANDOUT PIECE: Red enamel Lips pendant, £48.
JADE SAYS: “I love incorporating different ideas, concepts, vintage pieces and all sorts into my jewellery.”
AVAILABLE AT: my-wardrobe.com (available from August)
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