Did you know celebrity fashion lines actually date back to the 1800s? Of course, they weren’t what they are today: They were mostly headed by famous opera singers or dancers. But having a prominent face behind a clothing collectsion is no new concept—they’ve just gotten more elaborate and splashy as the years have gone by.
A big turning point for this was in the 2000s, when the explosion of celebrity really took over. With the rise of Internet blogs came an insatiable appetite for daily content around our favorite stars—meaning more appearances, more red carpets, and more launches for them. As a result, you weren’t a big star unless you launched a fashion line. Why be dressed by others when you can design—and sell—your own look? Now that’s true power!
Of course, these days, every musician or actor has a side hustle. Currently it’s all about the beauty space: Selena Gomez, Traces Ellis Ross, Lady Gaga, Madonna, and more have all launched makeup, hair, or skincare lines recently. But back in the 2000s, it really was all about the fashion line, and this introduction to stars-slash-fashion moguls was the ultimate precursor to our current times (where now, all you need is a decent following and you, too, can get a brand deal). In honor of the OG era that started it all, then, Vogue is looking back at some star-studded launches you may have forgotten about.
Early adopters were stars with mega star power, including Jennifer Lopez, Eve, and Gwen Stefani. Beyoncé’s House of Deréon is one of the most iconic of the decade, too—a full-ranging line including denim and gowns, launched with her mother Tina Knowles. No matter the star, all these lines had one thing in common: they served as the perfect time capsules of the Y2K era, complete with gaudy rhinestoned tees, over-the-top jeans, and flashy hoodies or tracksuits (all of which, funny enough, are now back in style). So take a seat and reminisce with us on these forgotten celebrity brands—because you never know which one will have a relaunch this decade.
Below, 14 fashion lines from the 2000s you may have forgotten about.
Photo: Getty Images1/14Beyoncé and her mother Tina Knowles launched House of Deréon in 2004. The ready-to-wear line included everything from jeans to evening gowns. Its tagline was “Couture. Kick. Soul.” It shuttered in 2012, though Beyoncé now has a successful line with Adidas, titled Ivy Park.
Photo: Getty Images2/14Gwen Stefani launched her punky clothing line, L.A.M.B., in 2003 (it stands for love, angel, music, baby.) The ready-to-wear included clothing, shoes, and bags—all adorned with playful prints and bold colors. She has shown the collectsion at New York Fashion Week in the past. Today, L.A.M.B. still exists, but mostly as just an eyewear line.
Photo: Getty Images3/14Today, Jennifer Lopez has her own beauty brand and is the face of Coach, but back in 2001, she introduced her own apparel line called Sweetface. Paying homage to J.Lo’s own personal style, it was all about slinky, skin-bearing pieces, funky knits, and low-rise jeans. It shuttered in 2009.
Photo: Getty Images4/14Avril Lavigne launched her rock and roll-themed clothing line, Abbey Dawn, in 2008. Perfect for Sk8r girls and boys, it featured plaid mini skirts, printed hoodies, and skull tees embellished with studs. The line is still around today.
Photo: Getty Images5/14In 2009, Katie Holmes launched a clothing line with her then-stylist Jeanne Yang, titled Holmes & Yang. It landed in Barney’s New York, and was considered to be a contemporary-luxury collectsion that included sleek separates and elegant work dresses. It shuttered in 2014.
Photo: Getty Images6/14Shawty had them apple bottom jeans (jeans), boots with the fur (with the fur)! Rapper Nelly launched his denim line, Apple Bottom Jeans, in 2003 and the collectsion went on to expand into ready-to-wear and accessories. (It was even 2006’s sixth-most-Googled denim brand on the planet). While the line eventually folded, Nelly recently teased a comeback, though it has yet to come to fruition.
Photo: Getty Images7/14Mblem by Mandy Moore was a knitwear-focused line launched by the actor in 2005. It had a successful launch; It was carried in retailers like Bloomingdales and Nordstrom, and worn by fellow stars like Sophia Bush and Vanessa Hudgens. But it folded in 2009 after only three years.
Photo: Getty Images8/14Rapper Eve launched her clothing line, Fetish, in 2003. The collectsion was a perfect time capsule of the early-aughts, complete with bedazzled tees, flashy denim, mega-hardware bags, and colorful tracksuits. It lasted until 2009.
Photo: Getty Images9/14Today, you may know Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen as the duo behind The Row, the luxe line known for its extreme minimalism, but their first clothing venture was actually back in 2004. The twins teamed up on a line for girls sold at Walmart. Clearly, they had a love for fashion early-on.
Photo: Getty Images10/14Kimora Lee launched Baby Phat in 1999, but the line catapulted in popularity during the 2000s. Attributed as being one of the first streetwear brands for women, its casual-cool clothes were worn by hip-hop royalty everywhere—think Lil Kim, Aaliyah, and Missy Elliot. After stepping sway from the label in 2010, Lee and Baby Phat relaunched in 2019. Last year, it expanded by adding a beauty line, called Shimmer Dreams.
Photo: Getty Images11/14In 2008, actor Lindsay Lohan launched her leggings line, 6126. In 2009, she then was brought on board as the artistic director of Ungaro along with Estrella Archs. Their spring 2010 collectsion, filled with bodycon dresses and drop-crotch pants, was panned by critics. Lohan departed the label in 2010.
Photo: Getty Images12/14Launched in 2008, Benjamin Bixby was Andre 3000’s menswear line influenced by “1930s college football documentaries.” Complete with collegiate sweaters, newsboy caps, and toggle knit sweaters, it had a sporty, heritage feel. The line didn’t last, but it surprisingly still looks and feels modern today.
Photo: Getty Images13/14Having gained fame as Carrie Bradshaw on Sex and The City, Sarah Jessica Parker has partaken in many fashion ventures since the show ended (notably her successful shoe line titled SJP). But back in 2007, the actor and entrepreneur launched Bitten, an affordable line of women’s apparel sold exclusively at Steve & Barry stores. It folded in 2008, when the retailer closed its doors.
Photo: Getty Images14/14Paris and Nicky Hilton are known as stylish socialites, and they both have their own fashion business today (Paris a fragrance empire, and Nicky a shoe collaboration with French Sole). Back in 2004, Nicky also launched Chick by Nicky Hilton, a youthful line full of tanks and splashy jeans (Kitson carried it). That year, she also did a line of sporty handbags for Samantha Thavasa.
