These days you would be hard pressed to find a celebrity who is famous for one reason only. Many celebrities have undergone the process of diversification by using their fame from one area to branch out into others. In the past six months, we’ve seen Scarlett Johansson record an Tom Waits cover album, supermodel Gemma Ward appear in the Aussie flick ‘The Black Balloon’ and Jennifer Lopez release yet another perfume.

Not content with making millions from endorsing products, Hollywood's hottest are now dabbling in fashion design. From ex-Spice Girls to child actors, celeb designers are growing in number and are having a huge impact on the fashion industry. With the rich and famous keen on getting a finger in every pie, there is no doubt that the number of celeb labels will only continue to grow.

The Olsen twins
The Row

My, how Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen have grown up! Not only are they co-founders of the billion dollar Dualstar Entertainment Group, the former Full House stars are fashion icons in their own right. As well as being responsible for epitomizing the ‘hobo chic’ look, they also have their own fashion line aimed at tweens, which no doubt contributed to Forbes naming them the 11th richest women in entertainment in 2007.

The Row is the Olsen twins’ attempt at appealing to an older, more affluent market. Named after Savile Row in Central London, The Row began in 2007 and consists of minimalistic pieces (think knit t-shirts, banded miniskirts) in neutral colours. Unlike some celebrity designers, they are both greatly involved with The Row’s design process and work in close conjunction with a designer. The Olsen name is also nowhere to be found on any of the items, and neither twin wished to be photographed in the promotion of the label.

http://nymag.com/fashion/07/fall/36078/index1.html

Victoria Beckham
dVb jeans

Launched in June 2007, Victoria Beckham's dVb Denim collection consists of jeans, shorts and skirts (the jeans are rumoured to have ‘butt lifting powers!') While the line is part of the hugely successful dVb (David and Victoria Beckham) brand which is also responsible for the Intimately Beckham perfume, the denim line hasn't had nearly as much success. The line has already been dropped by several boutiques in America because of poor sales; Kitson owner Fraser Ross says, "We asked her PR people so many times for her to appear but she didn't. Celebrity lines are no different from an album or music tour. They have to be promoted to sell."

Nevertheless, this hasn’t deterred Ms. Beckham from designing a men’s denim line, which is to be released in August, once again under the dVb label.

http://www.didntyouhear.com/2007/08/09/victoria-beckham-loves-dVb-jeans/

Sienna Miller
Twenty8Twelve by s. miller

It was only a matter of time before actress/perennial trend setter Sienna Miller began her own label. Twenty8Twelve by s. miller,  the fashion label of Sienna and sister Savannah, emerged on the designer scene last year. Although the label’s name bears tribute to Sienna (her birthday is on the 28th of December) it’s Savannah, a previous attendee of London’s Central Saint Martins, with the design background.

The Spring 2008 collection features clothes in ‘a palette of black, white and off white with ruffle trim details on some pieces’ and features wardrobe staples such as high waisted pants and leather jackets. Modestly enough, Sienna admits that the production of such styling clothing is a two woman job: “Because of my job, people are willing to invest in the business, but my sister’s an incredible designer and it’s a great opportunity for me to work with her.”

http://www.shopdiary.com/2008/02/20/twenty8twelve-now-at-shopbop/

What do you think of celebrities starting their own labels?