// Diddy designer of Sean John and Gwen Stefani designer of L.A.M.B.
The list of celebrity designers who have opted to fashion after other endeavors would take hours to recite. It is actually surprising, no, shocking—as it ranges from Paula Abdul to Kelly Osbourne to Jessica Alba. So if everyone has clothing lines, does that mean we really have a ton of multi-faceted and ridiculously talented celebrities or are other people simply running the show? Unfortunately, many cases seem to suggest the latter.
Whether flagrant and flamboyant or concealed behind closed closets—faux celebrity fashion lines are the trend of the 2000s. On the flip side, maybe more people will cash into faux designing and forget about celeb sex tapes. I’d prefer a well-dressed fashionista any day to a naked, drugged up celebrity, but then again, who’s to say I’m representative of the general population.
Flamboyant examples are easy to find; actually, sometimes they find you. I walked into my suburbia Atlanta town home the other day only to find my roommate gaping at the flat screen. I thought she was choking, but no, she was watching “Life in the Fab Lane,” a reality television show following the life of model turned designer Kimora Lee Simmons. “Not only does she let her daughters choose their new multi-million dollar home, but they run her business too!” said my amused roommate who was so engaged she wouldn’t speak for another half an hour. Judging by the look on Lisa’s face I felt compelled to sit down and stare too.
I soon learned that apparently belly chains and diamond studs will be the new must haves in the next fashion week per Ming and Aoki Lee, Simmons daughters. Legitimately, these two seven and five-year-olds respectively have more say in Kimora Lee Simmon’s Baby Phat line than she does. I watched as much as my sanity could handle but when the girls decided they wanted their new line to be more like space than candy land and sent the designer Jerome back to the drawing board, it was time to call it quits. I mean, I’m not saying these aren’t two really adorable newly post-toddlers, but I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t wear a line designed by someone 15 years younger. Besides, how involved could Kimora be? The line’s website even shamelessly admits its main purpose is a “publicity tool.”
Baby Phat is just an easy example because it’s on national television. But realistically, not every other celeb with a fashion line is sketching their designs. Maybe if JLo was more involved with her line she’d help regulate the importing of her furs. Apparently, she’s open to learning more about the cruelty to animals her line is endorsing but then why hasn’t she responded to PETA’s multiple attempts to educate her? JLo has even commented that she doesn’t care whether she’s accepted as a designer or not and that her goal is just to make clothes that women can wear. My guess is that if you don’t take yourself seriously, then other people probably won’t either.
Sean “Diddy” Combs is in a similar predicament. His clothing company is currently under question about the legitimacy of its practices in its Honduran factory. Judging by information spilled from previous employees, it seems more like a sweatshop than a factory. Workers complain of unpaid overtime, abusive language, limited urination and rampant humiliation. Believe it or not, some of the factory’s alleged practices are actually prohibited by Honduras’ labor laws. So far, the National Labor Committee has questioned approximately 20 of the factory’s workers, who have supported their findings. As a man of much wealth, publicity, and fame, you’d think if Diddy knew of the excruciating circumstances he’d try to do something about it. Why would he want such blatant disregard for human rights to be supported under his name?
Although right now it seems rather depressing, not all faith can be lost in celebrities perusing the fashion industry. Gwen Stefani has proven to be integral in the creation of her line L.A.M.B. Before she was rolling in dough, she was designing and sewing her own outfits. The fact that manual labor actually went into her wardrobe when she was a newly rising star is pretty impressive. Even just from looking at the L.A.M.B. line after a few years of production, it’s obvious that Stefani’s personal spunky style still triumphs. It’s not that other celebrities don’t have inspiring wardrobes, a savvy sense of fashion, and the ability to create sexy, chic lines. But, the real question is: Are they as involved as they claim?
