Jewellery (jewelry)

By Cecily Hall The top female musicians with contemporary fashion or accessories lines, ranked by overall appeal.

It appears that everyone wants a slice of the fashion pie, and female vocal artists are no exception. Los Angeles-based E-Poll Market Research has provided WWD with a ranking of women musicians with contemporary fashion or accessories labels by their overall appeal. The firm asked 1,100 men and women whether they were aware of the singer and, if they were, asked them to state if she was appealing. “Having a successful fashion line can only help to extend your brand, your name and your appeal to the public,” Gerry Philpott, president and chief executive officer of the firm, told WWD. “With some of these top artists, you’ll notice that many of them have a clean public image.” He also pointed out the vast age differences. “You’ve got this great mix of older and younger stars here. They all have their distinctive styles, and they are positive role models.”

1. GWEN STEFANI
Overall appeal: 57 percent
With baby number two and a possible album with her band, No Doubt, on the way, Stefani is living the good life. Stefani also launched L.A.M.B., her own fashion line, in 2003 (which stands for Love.Angel.Music.Baby ? also the name of her debut solo album). She now has a secondary line, called Harajuku Lovers. “Gwen’s a trendsetter, people want to emulate her fashion,” said Philpott of E-Poll. “People also admire the way she balances her work and her life.” WWD reported earlier this month that L.A.M.B. is adding high-end handbags to its roster. “The four-year-old firm, whose accessories are produced in partnership with Schifter + Partners, has launched a Black Label line called Aston, hitting stores this fall,” WWD said. “Gwen designs prints that push the envelope, and she does things that are so differentiated from the rest of the market,” Tim Schifter, chairman and ceo of Schifter + Partners, told WWD.

2. MANDY MOORE
Overall appeal: 54 percent
“Mandy Moore has great potential in her career,” Philpott said. “She’s this all-American girl, she’s got the classic Hollywood looks. Fashion could take her some time, as she’s not at the top of people’s minds, but her acting and singing will surely propel her awareness down the road.” Moore launched her own fashion line in 2005, called Mblem, which features contemporary knitwear and cashmere and is sold in more than 500 specialty boutiques and department stores. Last year was busy for the singer/actress-turned-fashion designer: She appeared in two movies, “License to Wed” opposite John Krasinski and Robin Williams, and “Because I Said So,” with Diane Keaton. And last June, she released her fifth album ? and first in four years ? through her new label, The Firm Music, a division of EMI.
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