Pop culture's fashion icons

The fashion market is catching onto a new trend. Although the term "new" is debatable. Pop culture's up-and-coming stars are selling fashion better than any supermodel ever could. Popular shows and teen movies are featuring hot young things sporting looks that appear to be lighting a flame inside the bellies of many teen fashion wannabes.

The MTV reality hit "Newlyweds", starring clean-cut Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey, has catapulted Simpson to star-status and fashion icon. Every item of clothing she wears is scrutinized and copied. Particularly the luxurious crocheted wrap worn by Simpson repeatedly throughout the show, has spawned an enormous trend. The wrap, which was created by Argentinean designer Cecilia de Bucourt, has become one of the most widely copied items of this season and the designer is suddenly inundated with orders. It is therefore no wonder that Simpson was recently appointed spokeswoman for Tommy Jeans.

Tommy Hilfiger is always quick to cotton on to the latest trend, and therefore continues to appeal to the younger generation. His latest perfume campaign, "True Star" with Beyonce is a tribute is his branding savvy.

Dooney & Bourke, the bag retailer, recently teamed up with teen movie star, Lindsay Lohan, for its autumn/winter 2004 ad campaign. Lohan replaced Mischa Barton, another iconic teen actress and star of the hit show The O.C. According to designer Peter Dooney, Lohan was chosen to represent the youthful spirit of the new collection. And no doubt to attract a more youthful public that has assumed increased purchasing power. As a survey that was held earlier this year by US market research firm, Teenage Research Unlimited, has shown, teen girls prefer shopping to almost every other activity. They have therefore become an exceedingly important target group for the fashion industry.