Celebrity Fashion Lines: Chic Business Ventures or Excessive Consumerism?

Gone are the days when the production of clothing and accessories was a domain reserved only for exclusive brands who have long-established their rank within the fashion industry. In this age of hyper-fixation on celebrities and influencers, what has followed is the birth of their brands. This raises the question of whether these brands are making meaningful contributions to the fashion industry or if they are a testament to participation in trends that are shorter-lived than your average fifteen minutes of fame.  

I would argue that while these brands entice consumers with their trendy articles of clothing and accessories, they contribute to a culture of conformity and homogeneity. With everyone quick to purchase these products, individuality is eroded. And let’s not overlook that they negate any hard-won sustainability efforts; the popularity of these brands is short-lived; this season’s hottest celebrity will inevitably be boycotted next season, landing their fashion line a spot in the back of our wardrobes.  

After taking the modelling world by storm, Gigi Hadid founded Guest in Residence, a clothing brand devoted to all things knitwear. Hadid’s brand vows to “create future heirlooms designed to last years, not seasons.” These so-called heirlooms lack selection, have little variety in terms of colour, texture, and style, and come at a hefty price. If you’re looking for knitwear that is more affordable and offers more versatility, you can never go wrong with searching for niche small businesses often found on sites such as Etsy, home to many creators with an array of bespoke items available for purchase.   

The Row, sported by the likes of Zoe Kravitz and Kendall Jenner, is a fashion line founded by the Olsen twins, beacons of fashion since their acting days. The Row has done well for itself with its timeless and polished pieces, perfect for building a capsule wardrobe. But buyers, beware; prepare yourself for sticker shock when visiting the website as you are unlikely to find an article of clothing below four figures. For those aiming for the quiet luxury aesthetic without breaking the bank, I recommend beginning with staple items such as white tees, a pair of good-quality pants (dress or jeans), and, most importantly, accessories! The beauty of this is that most of these items can be found in your closet; you may just be struggling to envision them as outfits. Nothing that a quick Pinterest search for, the basic eve, the basic everyday brands are guaranteed to have these pieces for a fraction of the cost.  

Everyone knows that a major Kardashian hallmark is their ability to generate revenue from products you didn’t know you needed. So, it came as no surprise when Khloe Kardashian launched Good American, a brand centered around producing quality denim that, regardless of shape or size, makes everyone feel confident. In recent years, Good American has dwindled in popularity. This could be attributed to reviews citing their clothing to be inconsistent in sizing, too high-waisted, and pricey. Instead, I advocate for thrifting denim. Some of the best denim pieces, from vests to skirts to jeans, can be the result of time spent rummaging through bins at vintage stores. Plus, thrifted denim gives a worn look that just can’t be achieved when purchasing new. The number of vintage Levi’s I have come across cannot be chalked up to the thrifter’s luck, they’re everywhere! 

Hailey Bieber broke the internet after launching every lip product connoisseur’s dream: the Rhode Lip Case. It is hardly surprising as the world of fashion is seeing a shift towards tech accessories being the newest way to complete an outfit. Despite being an avid Hailey Bieber stan, I opted not to purchase the phone case for a few reasons. First, I questioned how pragmatic the case would be? Reviews back me up on this; many extoll the convenience of an accessory that can hold your favourite lippie, but its’ bulkiness compromises the utility of the case. Second, I felt that I was better off conveying my sense of style through more personalized means. For anyone looking to be expressive through their accessories, think funky cases with different patterns, colours, and textures; personalized cases that can be adorned with photos; or quirky phone charms filled with colourful or monochromatic beads.  

Don't get me wrong, I have many times found myself drawn to the product launches of my favourite celebrities and influencers, it’s only natural. Where I try to exercise caution is in allowing my love for these celebrities to cloud my judgement as a consumer. I urge readers to practice being selective when purchasing these products. Is this something you would buy if it didn’t have their name attached? Commit to only purchasing from celebrity fashion lines that are good quality, and ones that you cannot go without. Aside from this, explore and experiment with clothing and styles that best suit you and your personality.