The Latest Celebrity Clothing Lines

Celebrity clothing lines have become just about as prevalent as celebrities themselves these days. With everyone trying hard to brand themselves, it’s either clothing or some kind of cooking tool, and George Foreman has already cornered the market on grilling. So here are just a few of the latest celebrity clothing lines to hit the runways and how they’ve made the cut (and stitch), or fallen flat on their faces like a model in six-inch stilettos.

1. Nicole Richie: House of Harlow 1960. This former party girl has come a long way since her stint on The Simple Life, and it shows in the way she dresses and comports herself. She’s always had a bit of a boho chic vibe when it comes to her wardrobe, but she takes it to the next level with a couple of vintage inspired fashion lines. House of Harlow 1960, the company that has thus far focused on jewelry and other accessories, has already release a couple of collections via sister site WinterKate.com (also created by Ritchie). With a penchant for loose, flowy garments in rich colors and bold patters, this line is sure to have mass appeal. But Ritchie didn’t stop there. She has also designed a line for Impulse (sold at Macy’s department stores). If you happen to be looking for shirts in leather and lace, a classic tuxedo jacket with a feminine twist (it comes in dusty neutral instead of black), or a sheer, bohemian blouse that’s strong on style (the bright yellow fabric and gold stitching are more Robertson Blvd. than Haight-Ashbury), then this line definitely delivers.
2. The Olsen Twins: Elizabeth & James. Is there anything this famous duo can’t do? Their younger sister seems to have taken over the family biz by way of acting, but the twins have long since forsaken the silver screen in favor of fashion. And their line puts a modern twist on retro trends. Sure they’ve done florals, but instead of the awful ’80s throwbacks that others are pushing (Hammer pants and leggings) they’ve kept this bold pattern reined in with a sweet drawstring short. And they definitely did a little digging into Katherine Hepburn’s heyday with a voluminous, wide-leg trouser, but their choice of fabric and color (chiffon, bright yellow) gives it an altogether fresh feel.
3. Victoria Beckham: Victoria Beckham Collection. It’s no surprise that a former fashion model with money and time to spare would want to create her very own brand. What is sort of shocking is how great it turned out. VB’s 2013 spring collection has already hit runways and the former songstress has pulled together a cohesive line characterized by bright whites and bold solids (mainly a pumpkin-like shade of orange). Flouncy blouses, swishy skirts, draped jackets, and fitted sheaths and slacks populate her spring line, along with accents like tall bucket hats and open-toed booties (some of which laced up to the knee). Above all, her latest offering is sleek and streamlined, much like the sophisticated soccer wife herself.
4. The Kardashian sisters: Kardashian Kollection. This unfortunate line of clothing, appropriately offered by a store that also sells tires and appliances (that would be Sears), is just about as awful as one might expect from watching a reality show depicting the lives of these spoiled starlets, who have made a career out of showing off their curves (in various states of attire) and talking like they just walked out of the dentist with a mouthful of novocaine. So what can consumers expect from this plus-size line? Not much, as it happens. With obnoxious animal prints, short shorts (with pleats, no less), skintight dresses, faux-fur vests, and leggings galore, you can just imagine how many plus-size ladies will be wearing this stuff. While there are a couple of decent blouses and pencil skirts that could add to a work wardrobe, the majority of the line is just about as trashy and useless as it’s infamous creators. Epic fail.
5. Gwen Stefani: L.A.M.B. Okay, so this ska aficionado’s line of apparel and accessories is about as new as Vanity Fair underwear, but it bears mention because every collection is a breath of fresh air. Like most spring lines, the upcoming line for L.A.M.B. features plenty of bright colors, but Stefani’s approach seems altogether different from the color blocks and crazy patterns featured in other lines. She goes with simple stripes to display her rainbow-hued palette, and sticks with black and white for prints (perhaps with a colorful accent). And her looks are always sporty and sophisticated, making her garments a must-have for fashionistas on the go.