What can a musician, a pop star, or a singing sensation do once they’ve achieved mainstream success? What makes them stand out as a brand, and how do they reach out to their customers beyond their music? Launching an iconic clothing line was more than just a statement but also a connection between fans and artists. Moving away from generic album cover T-shirts, fans needed to replicate the appearance and lifestyle of their favorite musicians, and this was introduced when artists started releasing their own clothing brands.
We look at five artists who have launched their own fashion labels or collaborated with established labels to pursue other avenues besides music.
Jennifer Lopez: J.Lo
Popstar and actress Jennifer Lopez launched her clothing line all the way back in 2001. Her apparel collection has a variety of athletic apparel, hoodies, sweatshirts, T-shirts, tank tops, jackets, accessories, and fragrances. It reportedly sold around 175 million dollars in products, but by 2007, the line was discontinued for unknown reasons. In 2010, it was revived and relaunched in union with the department store brand Kohls.
This was not her only attempt at launching a fashion brand, having also put together her Sweetface fashion line at New York’s Fashion Week in 2005.
Check Out the J.Lo Official Store Website: HERE
Justin Timberlake: William Rast
William Rast is a clothing line founded in 2005 by Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter Justin Timberlake and designer Trace Ayala. They were childhood friends who grew up together in Memphis, Tennessee. The brand name is an homage and tribute to both of their grandfathers. Timberlake’s grandfather’s name is William Bomar and Ayala’s grandfather’s name is John Rast. While the label’s primary focus is on Demin wear, it also produces other clothing items such as jackets, shirts, trousers, accessories, and more. Its headquarters is located in Los Angeles, California. According to a Forbes article in 2011, the fashion label would make an estimated $50 million in retail sales per year.
Check Out Their Official Website by Clicking HERE
Follow William Rast on Instagram: HERE
Drake: October’s Very Own
Complimenting Drake’s record label OVO sound is his clothing brand October’s Very Own. In 2011, the clothing company released its first product as a label, an OVO-branded tour jacket, and in 2014, the brand opened its first retail location in Toronto. Its collection now includes hats, polo T-shirts, hoodies, shorts, sweatpants, shoulder bags, wallets, and plenty more.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CXuhqhMtYWZ/
The OVO logo is an owl can be defined by the two ‘O’s resembling the eyes of an owl and the ‘V’ resembling an owl’s beak. This logo is inspired by Drake, who is well known to “come alive” at night, like an owl, as that is when he works best. Drake’s birthday month, October, inspired the brand name.
According to the Research Services company Growjo, October’s Very Own’s annual revenue is currently estimated at $24.6 million dollars.
Check our OVO’s official website HERE
Follow them on Instagram: Here
Beyoncé: House of Dereon and Ivy Park
House of Dereon was a fashion brand launched by Beyoncé and her mother, Tina Knowles, in 2006. It was named as a tribute to Beyoncé’s grandmother, Agnes Dereon. House of Dereon held fashion shows at several fashion weeks, including New York Fashion Week and London Fashion Week, and was billed as ‘Where the sidewalk and the catwalk meet’. The clothing company sold casual and formal clothing for women until it shut down operations in 2012.
Her other clothing line, Ivy Park, debuted in 2016. Ivy Park specializes in a unique combination of athletic and leisurewear. It includes a range of T-shirts, sweatshirts, sweaters, athletic tops, swimwear, and other accessories. The name is a combination of Ivy, Beyoncé’s daughter Blue Ivy Carter, and Parkwood Park in Houston, where Beyoncé used to train and exercise.
Check our Ivy Park’s official website HERE
Follow them on Instagram: Here
Britney Spears
Although Britney Spears does not have her own clothing line, it is worth noting that she has her own merchandise store and has previously collaborated with the clothing and apparel brand Candie’s. Spears had teamed with the brand on the creation of her own line of clothing and accessories aimed at pre-teens and teenagers. Her line included sportswear, handbags, dresses, tops, and jewelry.
Britney Spears’ official store currently sells a variety of items. The majority of them are clothes and apparel with references and throwbacks to her music. Hoodies, tank tops, and glassware such as shot glasses and a ‘spin me, baby, one more time’ wine goblet are among them.
Check out the Britney Spears official store website: HERE
