Celebrity Clothing Lines- Are we buying a name, or a quality garment?

“Way to ruin a good thing guys, thanks,” Chelsea Smith, author of Celebrity Clothing Lines: Are We Buying it complains after the exhaustion of being let down by another disappointing celebrity clothing line. Throughout her venting, Smith questions the reasoning of customers and if they’re buying for quality or a ‘multi-billion dollar’ name. “Having a rich name and lavish reputation at the forefront of the line does not ensure that the same high standards are being met in the production of their products,” Smith alleges as she challenges the quality of these new designers’ garments. Are these pieces truly one of a kind? If a customer were unaware of the designer would he still be inclined to make that purchase? Smith wants to highlight the item behind the name, is it being sold because it’s beautifully constructed or because that celebrity wants to make a cheap version of a trendy style and charge more than it’s worth. Simply examining the construction of a garment and testing the fit can determine the likelihood of it lasting and if it’s value is truly what is advertised. Creativity is what separates mediocre and high-end designers. Its presence can determine showcasing at New York Fashion Week with top of the line marketers or in a rented room with low-end department store buyers. Recent celebrity clothing lines lack the creativity that is the root to being successful. Upcoming brands by ‘designers’ such as Vanessa Hudgens, Justin Bieber, Paris Hilton, and Snooki exist only to allow the general public to imagine that they are dressing similar to someone with endless amounts of fame. These celebrities are not envisioning themselves personally designing a garment to be worn at the Emmys; however, they are buying off other designers’ creations that emulate their own personal style. It is difficult to look forward to see what celebrities have in their lines because typically they are not the actual designer of what is shown. Other designers create clothes based on the style of the celebrity, or at least that is the goal. Through strong observation, Smith questions the integrity of the clothing and the target audience. She points out that some of the designs “lack the taste and signature style that’s exhibited by the women who endorse them.” Within the article it is evident that the amount of work that celebrities put in compared to what the design team goes through creating the line is not equivalent. On the other hand, Smith does recognize that there are celebrities who have successfully created lines and have taken on the role of actual fashion designers. For example, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen are known for their clothing line Elizabeth and James. The Olsen twins are fashion icons that have earned their designer recognition, as they are involved with their line start to finish. To distinguish the difference, as Smith would say, “between designers and sponsors,” shoppers must comprehend the job description required by designers. Prior to grabbing pencil and paper designers must do research on the latest trends and what styles are coming back in cycle. Designers must market products and work with their design team on collaborating ideas. From their data, designers can begin the process of creating sketches and samples, then choosing which material would best fit the garment. Once a line is created a designer must preview his or her collection in a fashion show to attract potential buyers. However, Smith notes that the process for celebrities does not require as much hands on devotion that is mandatory for passionate designers. As opposed to providing the creativity and organization within the line, they mostly provide the financial backing and hire a design team. Most celebrities are only needed for one or two meetings, to attend the event that would promote the new products, and other advertisement necessities such as interviews, photo shoots, or just be seen wearing the clothes. As super model and host of Project Runway, Heidi Klum, says, “In fashion one day you’re in and the next day you’re out.” In the fashion industry life as a designer can flash by, and the chances of being as promoted or advertised as even the worst celebrity clothing lines are slim to none. This is because celebrities have an unfair advantage with the unlimited amount of advertisement that comes with their lifestyle. For a moment consider the new Kardashian collection. For women who lack the ability to dress themselves they believe they have the creativity to create unique garments for us female buyers. Excuse me, that statement was partially incorrect because the Kardashians are not the ones making the clothes, under paid children in foreign countries are responsible for the execution of the design.

Fashion is more than just the clothes people put on on a daily basis; it is the art of how people describe themselves through what they wear. To see people who have never illuminated the slightest interest in designing to just open a clothing line because they have the funds to do so is a mockery of one’s passion. It feels like a slap in the face to see poorly constructed overpriced garments being sold by a ‘celebrity designer’.

-CatherineNicole

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