Front Row

As celebrities the Olsen twins need little introduction. Child stars since they took turns playing the same character in American sitcom Full House, Mary-Kate and Ashley have built a merchandise empire as successful as their acting careers. In fact the girls' vocations have shifted from acting to primarily fashion design these days and the culmination of this is The Row, which represents their arrival in the rarefied world of high fashion. The label is available exclusively in the UK at Harvey Nichols London. If the star and fashion heavyweight-studded launch party at the Knightsbridge store the other day is anything to go by, The Row is being taken very seriously indeed. The Olsen girls mingled with everyone from Amy Winehouse to Style.com's Sarah Mower and Elizabeth Saltzman from Vanity Fair. The AW07 collection includes an accomplished range of knitwear pieces with a clear emphasis on fit; plus simple, very wearable tailoring - the Olsen girls are proving dab hands at creating a perfect pair of skinny pants. Ashley also spent three years refining her T-shirt design so the fit of this wardrobe basic is just right. This really isn't the showy, starry stuff we're used to seeing from other celebrities-turned-designer, but has a sharp, understated aesthetic that has more in common with the label's namesake, London's tailoring Mecca, Savile Row. But you can make your own minds up about The Row - come and view the full collection on the First Floor at Harvey Nichols London now. Above right, strapless cummerbund dress £665.