fashion industry with their 'talent'

Fashion is a 'Mean Girl's' world.

And it's a world on the verge of being creatively diluted once more. Lindsay Lohan announced Wednesday she wanted to become a consultant to French fashion house Emanuel Ungaro.

Lohan is just one celebrity who is branching out with a fashion title or brand.

Some celeb clothing lines are good (enter Sarah Jessica Parker's Bitten) and some are bad - really bad (exit Heidi Montag's failed line that didn't thrive long enough to have a name).

I must admit, I am a fan of some starlets' clothing lines, especially if their clothes retail at an affordable price. But it's a challenge sometimes to differentiate your personal feelings for a star from your opinion of their product.

For instance, I truthfully like the style and materials used in the majority of Jessica Simpson shoes Macy's carries.

Do I own a pair?

No.

I know it's silly, but I can't get beyond a distinct dislike I have for Simpson. It has nothing to do with her music, her ROMOance or even her poor attempts at acting. I just don't respect her as a person, mostly because I feel like she purposely perpetuates a stereotype about "dumb blondes" to retain a certain audience.

It's that lack of respect that makes me think her product will in some way disappoint or fail me.

Which begs the question: Are that many people really into celebrity brands?

Television reality actress (I call her that because much of reality television is actually scripted) Lauren Conrad has already seen one brand attempt tank. Now she has a new line, LC Lauren Conrad, she is launching at Kohl's.

"The Hills" star's threads are expected to retail between $20-$60 - a bargain for you and me, but a reminder that Conrad and others like her are selling clothes they would likely never wear for fear of paparazzi catching them in anything less than chi-chi designer.

So why make something you wouldn't wear?

Enter Madonna.

The fashion chameleon is essentially lending her name now to Ed Hardy, an already well-established fashion label. The 50-year-old diva has publicly declared her love for Ed Hardy designer Christian Audigier's line. By putting her name and personal brand on certain Ed Hardy labels, Madge is supporting something she already wears and is likely boosting sales for the company.

It's open to debate whether or not these star-endorsed or celebrity lines should be supported by consumers.

My advice is to follow Madonna's lead. Buy into what you are comfortable with. If you like a certain shoe, shirt or even a set of sheets and their comparable price, go for it.

Unlike the celebs and wannabe designers, however, don't feel compelled to support a certain brand because that's what is expected of you or is encouraged by your peers.

Us regular folks generally can't tell what label is hiding under the clothes of our friends and co-workers. And that's one luxury we have over the "Mean Girls" and stars.

from:http://www.beaumontenterprise.com