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Lindsay Lohan's debut as a fashion designer for Parisian fashion house Emanuel Ungaro was not a hit with the critics. It may not matter. Lohan is part of trend that has Hollywood mega-stars crossing over to clothing, some with huge results.

The biggest success is two young ladies who are right in Lohan's age and fashion demographic, the Olsen twins. The Los Angeles Times estimates that Mary Kate and Ashley have seen total sales of their clothing and shoe line reach into the 8 digit range. They have been a big hit with the teens and tweens. The Times attributes that in part to the omni-present media culture, "the whole world is a red carpet." Celebrity fashion is a growth industry whether the Paris fashion snobs like it or not. The ability to constantly see what one's favorite celebrities are wearing and immediately run to the store to imitate it strikes a chord with today's vapid, culture starved youth.

The Times notes that the Olsens were recently admitted into the prestigious industry trade group, the Council of Fashion Designers of America, and that this fall they are expanding their brand to include menswear. Other stars including Miley Cyrus, Gweneth Paltrow, Gwen Stefani, and Justin Timberlake have clothing and apparel lines that are succeeding. Sounds like a trend.

Labels: Pop Culture