I thought I might give Karl Lagerfield a call tomorrow. You see I made a dress once. Sure it was a little lopsided and the material cost about $6 a metre from Lincraft but I consider myself a fashion designer because of it and surely Uncle Karl will find my design so inspiring that I’ll get my own label at Target or Top Shop.

What’s that you say? You don’t think I qualify as a fashion designer? Well do you think you could say that a little bit louder because I don’t think they quite heard you over in Celebrity land.

Kate Moss models clothes so why wouldn’t she design them? The Olsen twins frequently appear on best dressed lists, as does Victoria Beckham and Sienna Miller. But does that mean they are qualified to design clothes? 

Kate Moss for Topshop, a reflection of her 'personal style' 

Celebrity clothing lines are all too familiar at the moment. It seems that any star can have one, if they’re in the public arena and have worn at least one noteworthy outfit they are in. but to me it seems that an actress who designs clothes is similar to an actress who tries to sing. Lindsay Lohan anyone? (who by the way has also attempted fashion with a line of leggings)

Some clothing lines are successful ‘Stuff’ by Hilary Duff and ‘Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen’ are both successful but perhaps that is because their targeted tween market are not into Gucci or Prada.

When you have to pay hundreds of dollars for a dress or a bag would you prefer to pay for Prada or Lauren Conrad? Conrad’s new line retails for a dizzying $200 with simple jersey dresses the key to her line is her name really worth the extra hundred?

a dress in Lauren Conrad's collection retailing for an absurd $180

Victoria Beckham’s fans have begun asking the same question. Her DVB line initially retailed for $290 at hot LA places like Kitson, they can now e found in Louhmanns, for a reasonable price of $69.99. Mandy Moore’s label Mblem was developed in 2004 but the line now only features vintage inspired tees. 

When a celebrity designs it makes it seem as though anyone can design and what does that say about larger fashion houses who take their work very seriously? There is an exclusivity factor to high fashion labels which no longer exists when a celebrity like Nicky Hilton becomes a designer as a hobby. Gwen’s label L.A.M.B has real designers on their team, maybe this is the only way to maintain a sense of exclusivity. At least the designs are credible and not a money making scheme.
 

A L.A.M.B design

It may be fun to design clothes but wouldn’t it be better to be a muse to a designer, like Kate Bosworth is to Karl Largerfield? And really the question is, when does a celebrity line become a fashion line? Will it ever get over the stereotype?