Don't let the mom jeans fool you - Jessica Simpson is a style titan.

When you hear the name Jessica Simpson, a number of adjectives might come to mind, but fashion mogul probably isn’t the first. In spite of some unfortunate outings in mom jeans and other unflattering clothing, the Cut reports that Jessica Simpson’s fashion empire is on track to hit $1 billion in sales.

While her collection may not win any awards for innovation or groundbreaking design, the shoes are generally attractive, and more than that, it’s not difficult to imagine Simpson actually wearing her own line. Like her own looks, there are an equal number of hits and misses to be found, but if nothing else it does give the brand some authenticity.

It would be easy for the high fashion fan to dismiss the brand as the kind of mass offering for people who just don’t get fashion, but it’s interesting to see that relatable really does sell. Simpson isn’t runway model thin or even catalog model thin, and in fact, doesn’t always get it right when dressing to flatter her busty, petite frame. She’s been absent from the music charts for a while, and never reached the heights of Britney or Beyonce, so it can’t all be down to celebrity appeal either.

Somehow, in appealing to the approachable (mistakes and all), Jessica Simpson’s managed to become aspirational.

At left, Lady Gaga's Telephone Hat by Piers Atkinson, at right a hat from the designer's It Is Later Than You Think collecyion

You can find looks from Jayne Pierson and Tokyo-based designer Yuima Nakazato, who has dressed Fergie for the Black Eyed Peas tour as well as items worn on and off stage by Estelle, Elly of La Roux and Rhianna. In addition, Londonâ€s Piers Atkinson and futuristic womenswear designer Gemma Slack, both of whom have dressed Lady Gaga, are featured on the site. {Grazia UK}

NJAL also now directs celebrity fashion fans to more wearable designs worn by stars like Mila Jovovich, Katie Holmes, Alice Dellal, Elle Macpherson and Lily Cole. {Grazia UK}

Shopping on NJAL is much easier than trying to make a DIY, Gaga-like Philip Treacy lobster hat or Jean-Charles de Castelbajac Kermit The Frog coat, but be prepared to drop a few doubloons for any of these fashions. Most designs start at approximately $500, and many of the designers are marked “high end.” For a piece of your favorite celebrity, superfans may find it a small price to pay for their own piece of famous style.

Over the past 5 years Nicole has transformed her image, and seemingly herself into a mother, wife, and serious business woman. Her fashion lines of apparel, maternity wear, shoes and jewelry have been a success and now comes word that she will expand her growing empire.

Slated for release in Spring 2011 is a handbag line designed entirely by Nicole, and reflective of her personal style and taste.

The line will be “very, very, very Nicole…Nicole has been really all over doing this,” according to Ricky Cytrynbaum, co-founder of the production company for Richie’s House of Harlow and Winter Kate lines, in WWD. “If you look at the clothing and you look at the footwear, you get an idea of what the bags are going to be.” {Stylelist}

The bags won’t be available until next spring (expansions into sunglasses and footwear hit stores first), but they’ll range from $295 to $595. {WWD}Even though the luxury industry is rebounding, those are price points that should do well with consumers who shop the middle, as opposed to the highest or lowest ends.

We love Nicole and think her eye for fashion is classy and chic. House of Harlow and Winter Kate have been well received, so we’re looking forward to seeing what she has in store.

Before the Gwen Stefanis and P. Diddys of today’s celebrity fashion scene, there was Amelia Earhart. This may seem like something out of left field but it’s true;  Amelia Earhart, the world-renowned woman of flight, was a working gal trying to make ends meet and fund her dreams with a fashion line.
While working as a social worker with knowledge of sewing she would design and sew her own garments out of necessity, wanting to look fashionable without spending the bucks. As her dreams of flight began to get more attention she used this talent to promote a line sold a Macy’s. Essentially she was the first celebrity to use her fame as a promotional tool for her line, and in turn the profits would fund her flight endeavors.

Most intriguing about her designs are her innovative ideas such as “separates” where women didn’t have to buy a suit in one size but could mix sizes depending on their figure, all the garments were washable and it was a reasonably priced. She understood women of her time and the clothing was a reflection of a more active lifestyle. Needless to say many of her designs incorporated elements of aviation, sometimes in a parachute cord tie or belt, even using wing bolts and nuts for buttons.

Amelia Earhart has always been a symbol of strength and tenacity, but revealing this little bit of history is a true inspiration to the capabilities and surprising success to be had in anything we put our minds to.

Read the full story {Huffington Post}