Celebs Who Dress (Way) Down

Instead, she has two thriving fashion lines

(NEWSER) - Ashley Olsen grew up in the public eye, and her early career “was almost like I was in the army,” she tells Marie Claire. “That’s why I look at Britney, and I’m surprised I didn’t end up like her.” Instead of hitting therapy to deal with the outfits once forced upon her—genie costumes, cowgirl fringe—Olsen, 23, heads two fashion lines that are thriving despite the recession. More»

Beckham 'triumphs' as Mr. Blackwell gives Britney a pass

(NEWSER) - Mr. Blackwell of the infamous worst-dressed list has singled out Victoria Beckham as this year's greatest offender for "skinny-mini monstrosities," reports People. Amy Winehouse snagged the runner-up spot, followed by Mary-Kate Olsen, who earned her laurels for looking like "a tattered toothpick-trapped in a hurricane." Britney Spears escaped because of her overwhelming personal issues, says Mr. Blackwell. More»

Apparently ridiculously expensive luxury items perform well in a recession

(NEWSER) - The solution to America's endless economic woes is apparently the Olsen twins' $39,000 backpack. In a Women's Wear Daily interview from last week just getting some attention , Ashley explains why she and her sister thought extreme luxury might sell: "During our last economic crisis in the US, the only thing that went up was Hermès." And their plan worked: The alligator backpack, part of The Row handbag collection, "was the first thing that sold off the shelf," Ashley says. Gawker has a picture, and snarks that it is "made exclusively from the skin of the mysterious fourth Olsen sister, who lives in a cage in their basement." More»

Who knew Paris Hilton hawked craft supplies?

(NEWSER) - Celebrities do the darnedest things…for money. Fox News rounds up the 26 oddest celebrity product endorsements:

• Jessica Simpson: Two words: Edible cosmetics.
• Paris Hilton: Selling hair extensions we understand. But scrapbook supplies ? Not so much.
• Nelly: The singer gave his energy drink the regrettable name “Pimp Juice.”

We're looking at you, Miley Cyrus

(NEWSER) - Now that Brooke Mueller and Charlie Sheen are hitting “ prehab ”—rehab for people (supposedly) without any actual addiction issues—it’s time for other celebrities to follow suit. Ami Angelowicz lists her top 10 candidates, on The Frisky :

• Britney Spears: Sure, she seems OK now. But you never know when she’ll “flip out on Jason Trawick, shave off her extensions again, and break out the pink wig.”
• Amy Winehouse: “Should be in prehab for the rest of her life. End of discussion.”
• Joaquin Phoenix: “Prehab or mental institution? You choose.”