Activists Hit 'Fur-Hag' Aretha's Star

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.”

(NEWSER) - With no formal fashion training and a celebrity image that’s more cutesy than couture, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen have transformed into unlikely fashion icons, the New York Times reports. Sales of their high-end label The Row are around $10 million—better than many established brands—and they’re expected to climb by 30%. “I don’t think anybody really cares that it’s Mary-Kate and Ashley’s collection,” a fashion director says. “They’re buying it because they like it.” More»

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»

Send the pair some hair for their birthday, group urges

(NEWSER) - PETA is trying to make life hairy for the Olsen twins, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. The animal rights group, noting that the sisters are still fond of fur, is urging activists to cut off their own locks and send them to the twins for their 22nd birthday today, "since they seem to be in such dire need of extra hair on their bodies." More»