Stars develop lines

PETE WENTZ AVRIL LAVIGNE KIMORA LEE SIMMONS

What is it about celebrities that makes them think they can be fashion designers? You never see Vera Wang, say, looking to open for Coldplay.

Lines by celebs -- Jessica Alba, Jessica Simpson, the Olsen twins, Justin Timberlake, and on and on -- sometimes turn out OK. Stylish Gwen Stefani produces decent pieces; Sarah Jessica Parker actually wears items from her bargain Bitten line. But then there's Beyonce (beautiful, can belt out a tune -- but the clothes ... please) or "The Hills'" Heidi Montag, whose Heidiwood line looks like she's outfitting Albanian streetwalkers on a bad night.

Who's next? Janet Jackson is planning a lingerie line and -- brace yourself -- brother Michael is pairing with Ed Hardy designer Christian Audigier and launching a line to be sold exclusively this fall at L.A.'s Kitson. In the meantime, here are new collections that show some promise.

The line: Clandestine Industries

The store: Nordstrom

The cost: $28 to $68

Does he sleep? The bassist for the multiplatinum rock band Fall Out Boy has written a book, opened bars -- and this May married Ashlee Simpson, just weeks after releasing his clothing line exclusively at Nordstrom. It features simple yet vibrant tees, tanks, thermals and hoodies (we like the "Wordsearch" print, with circled words such as "whatever"). It's found in women's departments, but Wentz -- rockin' a unisex vibe -- wears some of the items himself.

The line: Abbey Dawn

The store: Kohl's

The cost: $24-$48

This back-to-school collection debuted exclusively at Kohl's this month. The apparel and jewelry -- a blend of rock, girlie classics and reggae, mon -- is said to be inspired from items in Lavigne's closet, which means bold colors, mix-and-match prints, skater chic and traditional tartan plaids. Let's hope the line has more staying power than Lavigne, who canceled several concerts this year because of vocal problems.

The line: Fabulosity

The store: J.C. Penney

The cost: $29 to $108

Leave it to Simmons, that blushing wallflower, to come up with a subtle name for her new collection, which hit stores this month. The exclusive line is surprisingly versatile, with separates appropriate for school or office (a plaid crop jacket, twill trousers, poplin blouse), or glitzier club fare for hangin' with the girlz (high-waist jeans, striped sweater dresses and sparkly, scoop-necked tunics).