Celebrity-backed fashion lines don't necessarily have the best reputation. It's hard to forget Lindsay Lohan's short-lived stint for Emanuel Ungaro or Heidi Montag's critically-slammed attempt at design with Heidiwood, but the appeal of bringing an A-lister with a huge following on board is tempting for brands – and sometimes it pays off. From the fashion businesses that were started from scratch to celebrity/brand collaborative collections, these are the celebrity fashion label success stories.
Stella McCartney
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It doesn’t feel right to put Stella McCartney in the category of ‘celebrity labels’ because she is such an accomplished designer in her own right – and is much better known for this than for being the daughter of a Beatle. She is proof, however, of how a ‘celebrity’ can defy the odds in fashion.
McCartney started interning in the industry aged just 16 (for Christian Lacroix) and worked for Edward Sexton on Saville Row for several years before going on to study fashion design at Central Saint Martins, with the likes of Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell walking in her graduate show.
After a four-year stint as creative director at Chloé (following Karl Lagerfeld no less), McCartney launched her own namesake label in 2001 to incredible critical acclaim and commercial success. The brand now boasts 17 standalone stores, womenswear, kidswear, menswear, lingerie, a sportswear line for Adidas, two Team GB Olympic kit collections and a reputation for cruelty-free and ethical fashion.
