The Row

What began as a personal project for Ashley Olsen in 2005 to create "the perfect T-shirt" turned into a full-time job for the Olsen sisters, twins Ashley and Mary-Kate, who own the brand known as The Row. Though notorious for their antics as actresses when they were younger, the famously camera-shy duo secretly built a clothing empire after testing their T-shirt design on a number of women of all body shapes, sizes, and ages. Finding a "commonality in fit and attitude" was not easy, but by 2006 the twin sisters had created a 7-piece collection that would wear comfortably on most women. The Row - a reference to London's infamous Savile Row - took its name from the spirit which the street in London is known for... bespoke, high-quality tailoring. For the twins, that bespoke range included the original T-shirt, cotton sateen leggings, and a cashmere wool tank dress. Barneys in New York loved it and bought the entire first collection. The brand has since expanded and now includes ready-to-wear apparel, handbags, eyewear and sunglasses, and even shoes.