The Olsen Twins Dominate the Fashion Industry

The Row and Elizabeth James, the Olsen twins'clothing lines, have had great success in the fashion industry's competitive market.

The Olsen twins have twin clothing lines that have been overly successful, despite the lines' lack of Olsen in their name.

Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen, the 23-year-old twin actresses and entrepreneurs best known for sharing the role of Michelle Tanner on the sitcom, "Full House," own two clothing lines, The Row, and Elizabeth James, which have proven to be seemingly recession proof. Elizabeth James, a denim and contemporary sportswear maker produced under a L'Koral Industries license, is sold in 300 stores nationwide and expects to double in sales this year. The Row, a high fashion clothing line, expects a 30 percent increase in sales, which has totaled $10 million in sales since its creation.

Mary Kate and Ashley, who have had no formal training in fashion design, sell their clothes based on their practical design and tendency to stay in style. "I don't think anybody really cares that it's Mary-Kate and Ashley's collection. They're buying it because they like it," Julie Gilhart, the fashion director of Barney's New York, told TheCelebrityCafe.

In 2008, Forbes estimated the sisters' personal earnings at $15 million.