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Rediff.com  » Getahead » Sonakshi, KJo, Kate: Celebs turned fashion designers!
This article was first published 11 years ago

Sonakshi, KJo, Kate: Celebs turned fashion designers!

Last updated on: April 18, 2012 18:42 IST

Image: Sonakshi Sinha, Provogue fall/winter collection
Photographs: Provogue ad campaign

It's not enough that they're the best-dressed, they want to dress you up too! Here are 20 famous personalities who have decided to make their presence felt in fashion by designing their own clothing lines.

How many times have you looked at a style icon dominating the red carpet and wished you could look as stunning?

Sure, stylists deserve a lot of the credit, but at the end of the day it's what celebrities choose to be seen in that counts. Which is probably why so many of them have decided to launch themselves in the fashion industry.

In the following pages, we bring you a host of these celebs-turned-fashion designers with a little info on each of their ventures!

Sonakshi Sinha

If any B-Town babe can justify her own line of clothing, it's Sona. She studied fashion designing and was going to launch herself as a designer. But then she shed oodles of weight and got into acting like Daddy Shotgun.

She still has a passion for fashion, however, which is why she collaborated with label Provogue for their fall/winter line last year, designing all the pieces to her taste. And yes, she was the face of the campaign too, given that she's brand ambassador!

Victoria Beckham

Image: Victoria Beckham wearing one of her own designs
Photographs: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Rather than dabble in designing like most other A-listers, the erstwhile Posh Spice decided to turn it into a full-fledged career after retiring from the music business -- and it's paid off in spades.

Debuting her self-titled line in 2008, her creations are exclusive, expensive and are frequently worn by other celebrities. Her fashion empire generated sales in excess of 15 million pounds in the first quarter of 2011, up 70 percent from 2010 and she was even was awarded the 'Designer of the Year' gong at the annual British Fashion Awards last November.

Kim, Khloe and Kourtney Kardashian

Image: Kourtney, Khloe and Kim Kardashian wear designs from the Kardashian Kollection at Sears
Photographs: Kardashian Kollection ad campaign

The Kardashian trio has tied up with various brands in the last couple of years to launch signature jewellery, cosmetics, fragrance and footwear lines.

Their first clothing line, K-Dash, was for home teleshopping giant QVC in 2010 and the same year also saw them create a range for Bebe. Next came their association with Sears in August 2011, for the affordable and chic Kardashian Kollection, which they continue to desigh and promote.

Jessica Simpson

Image: Jessica Simpson wearing her own designs from the Jessica Simpson Collection
Photographs: Jessica Simpson Collection ad campaign

After her music and acting career floundered, Jessica turned to designing and few could have predicted her amazing success, given how the media has always criticised her sense of style and weight fluctuation.

But in 2005, she launched the Jessica Simpson Collection as a shoe collaboration with footwear giant Nine West and with her creations flying off the shelves, moved into apparel and accessories.

Her range earned $750 million in 2010, making it the top-selling celebrity fashion empire in the world and crossed the historic $1 billion threshhold early this year. Guess who's laughing all the way to the bank!

John Abraham

Image: John Abraham models his official merchandise

John's fashion line, consisting primarily of jeans (which, incidentally, are his favourite item of clothing), was launched in 2007 and went by the handle (JA) Clothes. Retailed at only select boutiques across India, it saw quite a demand and continues to fly off the shelves; the actor himself seldom wears anything other than his signature garments.

There were plans for (JA) Clothes to go international as well, but at this time it's hard to say whether they're on track. In the meantime, John has also been designing official merchandise for his fans, mainly tee-shirts like the witty one he's seen wearing here and these can be purchased online.

Beyonce

Image: Beyonce wears a design from House of Dereon
Photographs: House of Dereon ad campaign

The superstar and her stylist mother Tina Knowles launched their collaborative ready-to-wear line House of Dereon in September 2004 (the brand is named after her maternal grandmother). In 2006, Beyonce and her sister Solange added on a junior, less expensive range simply called 'Dereon'.

Of course, most advertisements feature the dusky siren and so it's hardly a surprise that her fashion empire is profitable and her styles always in demand -- after all, who wouldn't want to look like Bey?

Jay-Z

Image: Jay-Z wearing designs from Rocawear
Photographs: Rocawear ad campaign

Beyonce's rapper and business mogul husband is not far behind her in the style stakes -- in fact, he's far, far ahead if the figures are anything to go by!

Jay-Z founded the urban clothing line Rocawear for men, women and children in 1999 and sold the rights to the brand for $204 million in 2007. With yearly sales at an estimated $700 million, however, he retains his stake in the company and continues to oversee marketing, licensing and designing.

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Gwen Stefani

Image: Gwen Stefani in a L.A.M.B. creation
Photographs: L.A.M.B. ad campaign

The American singer, who hails from a family of seamstresses, launched her label L.A.M.B. in 2003 -- the name is an acronym for her debut solo album Love. Angel. Music. Baby. Featuring clothes, footwear and accessories, Gwen draws her inspirations for the line from a host of cultures, ranging from Guatemalan and Japanese to Indian and Jamaican.

L.A.M.B. was a huge success and has an annual gross income of $90 million, so it's hardly surprising that a second more affordable one, called Harajuku Lovers (named after Gwen's Japanese back-up dancers), made it's debut in 2005, two years later. And yes, it's a runaway hit too!

Geri Halliwell

Image: Geri Halliwell in a Geri By Next design
Photographs: Next ad campaign

The former Ginger Spice hopped onto the fashion designing bandwagon with a range of swimwear for UK high street retailers Next in January of 2011. She was met with such success that she went on to design red carpet-ready gowns, lingerie, dresses and even a Union Jack range that drew inspiration from the iconic dress she wore to the Brit Awards in 1997.

We won't be surprised if there are a lot more Geri by Next creations in the offing!

Lisa Haydon

Image: Lisa Haydon for Sher Singh
Photographs: Lisa Loves Sher Singh ad campaign

The model-actress has beaten quite a few B-Town beauties to it by launching her own line in collaboration with lifestyle brand Sher Singh.

Clothes and accessories that have bohemian touches and borrows elements from Indian fashion in terms of fabric, embroidery and colour define the Lisa Loves Sher Singh collection and this isn't a one-off venture; the leggy beauty intends to conceive a new women's line each season. Making them available online to international consumers is an added bonus.

Madonna

Image: Madonna and daughter Lourdes Leon attend the Material Girl collection launch at Macy's Herald Square on September 22, 2010 in New York City
Photographs: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images

Named after her 1985 smash hit, Madonna's Material Girl clothing line designed along with her teenage daughter Lourdes, has captured the teen and tween markets in the US. Launched in 2010 in collaboration with retail giant Macy's, the styles are inspired by the pop icon's own punk girl image from her younger days and target young girls.

The brand ambassadors so far have been Taylor Momsen and Kelly Osbourne and Material Girl is doing so well that in November last year, Madge announced a second range of footwear, undergarments, frangrances and accessories called Truth or Dare by Madonna for adult women.

Kate Moss

Image: Kate Moss for Mango
Photographs: Mango ad campaign

In May of 2007, Kate Moss designed a range of apparel and accessories for high street brand Topshop, which was much-hyped and well-received in the UK -- in fact, it did so well that it crossed the pond to US retailer Barney's.

While the pieces were reasonably priced, it is estimated that the supermodel was paid a whopping three million pounds for her work, which included fronting the ad campaign in her own creations.

Then in 2010, Kate designed a range of handbags for luxury goods house Longchamp and currently, she's teamed up with Spanish label Mango for a special line bearing her name.

Kanye West

Image: A model in a Dw by Kanye West creation and (right) Kanye West
Photographs: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Another rapper who's forayed into designing, but Kanye did it a little differently than most.

After designing footwear for Louis Vuitton and Nike, he was taken with the idea of launching a career as fashionista -- so much so that he even interned with fashion houses Fendi and Giuseppe Zanotti to learn the ropes of the business.

Then, when his much-hyped women's collection called Dw by Kanye West hit the Parisian runway last October, he was faced with mixed-to-negative reviews, but that still hasn't shaken his style ambition. Maybe he'll have better luck this coming season!

Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen

Image: Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen wearing their own designs from The Row
Photographs: Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images

The 25-year-old twins are mini fashion moguls, sitting on an empire worth a staggering $1 billion.

It all started with their Wal-Mart range for girls aged 4-14; then it moved to their own couture fashion label The Row, named after Savile Row in London. Then came a contemporary range, Elizabeth & James, named after their siblings and inspired by vintage styles. And yes, they have a women's clothing line going for retailer J.C. Penney, called Olsenboye and a tee-shirt line called StyleMint. Whew!

With their hands full, it's not surprising that the former child stars have renounced acting and are content with a career as fashion designers.

Karan Johar

Image: (L-R) Amitabh Bachchan, Karan Johar, Varun Bahl and Hrithik Roshan at HDIL India Couture Week, October 2010
Photographs: Courtesy Edelman India

Known for his impeccable taste, it's hardly surprising that KJo can't keep away from fashion.

After successfully creating and showcasing a line at the India Couture Week in October of 2009, Karan teamed up with Varun Bahl in October of 2010 for the HDIL India Couture Week.

The filmmaker has conceived looks and styles for BFF Shah Rukh Khan for several movies too and although he's let last year slide without a showing, let's hope we haven't seen the last of his talent on the ramp!

Nicole Richie

Image: Nicole Richie for House of Harlow
Photographs: House of Harlow ad campaign

After her wildchild past and stint as a reality star, Nicole really found her calling as a fashion designer.

It all started with a jewellery line in 2008, called House of Harlow 1960, named after Nicole's daughter. In 2010, Harlow expanded to include apparel and shoes.

Then in 2009, the pregnant fashionista designed a self-titled maternity range for maternity store A Pea in the Pod.

Resortwear followed in 2010, with a women's line called Winter Kate, her daughter's two middle names.

And last year, House of Harlow unveiled a range of handbags.

For all her success in fashion, Nicole was named Entrepreneur of the Year 2010 at the Glamour Women of the Year Awards and she was also nominated in the category 'Celebrity Fashion Line' at the Teen Choice Awards.

Dannii Minogue

Image: Dannii Minogue wears a Project D dress
Photographs: Ben Pruchnie/Getty Images

Dannii first forayed into designing with a fashion range in the late '80s for K-Mart Australia.

Then, when she catapulted to fame in the UK as a judge on the panel of reality show The X Factor, she set up her own clothing (and fragrance) line called Project D, in association with designer Tabitha Somerset Webb.

Celebs have taken to Project D in a big way and fans include 'Her Royal Hotness' Pippa Middleton -- Dannii is now hoping that her sister, the Duchess of Cambridge follows suit!

Sienna Miller

Image: Sienna Miller in a Twenty8Twelve creation
Photographs: Jason Merritt/Getty Images

The actress and her stylish sister Savannah teamed up to create a range called Twenty8Twelve in 2007, financially backed by Pepe Jeans. The reason behind the denim giant's investment was a 2006 range she designed for them -- it was so hugely successful that they considered it a good business move to turn it into a separate label.

Twenty8Twelve gets its name from Miller's date of birth -- it is going strong and has sealed Sienna's reputation as a style icon.

Justin Timberlake

Image: Justin Timberlake in William Rast
Photographs: William Rast ad campaign

The pop star-turned-actor cashed in on his popularity by launching a clothing line called William Rast in 2005, in collaboration with his childhood friend Juan 'Trace' Ayala; the name is a combination of Justin's grandfather's first name and Ayala's grandfather's last name. The inspiration behind the clothing is their fellow Memphis native Elvis Presley, who the twoseome said they had in mind while designing.

As of 2011, William Rast has a partnership going with Target retailers and includes denim, outerwear and sportswear for men and women.

Sonam Kapoor

Image: Sonam Kapoor at the 64th Cannes Film Festival, May 15, 2011
Photographs: Jean-Paul Pelissier/Reuters

And finally, we come to Bollywood beauty and the nation's leading fashionista Sonam.

While we're yet to see any of her designs, the actress has gone on record to state that she and sister Rhea are working on a high street range of clothing, which will target the Indian and Middle Eastern markets.

Given how well turned out Sonam always is, we have no doubt that it'll be flying off the racks!