Celebrities Show-Off Their Designs for Fashion Week

Over the past few years an increasing number of celebrities have tried their hand at design.

 

But fashion editors say celebrity designers need more than just a famous name on a label to succeed.

 

[Tracy Taylor, U.S. Editor of Net-a-Porter.com]: 

"I almost think it's more difficult for a celebrity to launch a clothing line. Honestly, the eyes and ears of the world are on them.” 

 

While some celebrity fashion lines don't last, there are success stories, like Jessica Simpson's.

 

[Marc Karimzadeh, Fashion Features Editor, Women's Wear Daily]: 

"Jessica Simpson is one of those rare examples of a celebrity that has built a business based on a master license and all different kinds of sub-licenses. In the process, she has created a billion-dollar business, which is really remarkable."

 

Another celebrity-turned-designer who has had great success is Victoria Beckham, formerly known as "Posh Spice" of the 1990s girl group the Spice Girls.

 

[Tracy Taylor, U.S. Editor of Net-a-Porter.com]: 

"She wasn't just a Spice Girl to us. We could tell very early on that she had an incredible design aesthetic and sensibility. I think what really put Victoria Beckham on the map was this incredible silhouette of a dress. This says 'Victoria Beckham' to anyone who would take a look at it. It actually looks incredible on (the body). She has an exquisite figure. But believe it or not, this dress looks great on size ranges from zero, all the way up to 12."

 

Actresses Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen are another success story in the celebrity fashion realm.

 

[Tracy Taylor, U.S. Editor of Net-a-Porter.com]:

"Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen for The Row really approached things from a different way. As opposed to Victoria Beckham, they want to step to the side and let the clothes speak for themselves, and I think it's been more of a 'slow and steady wins the race.'"

 

The Fall 2012 runway shows started on Thursday and will run through next week at Lincoln Center and other venues in New York City.