Today’s Women’s Wear Daily reports that Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen have signed a deal with J.C. Penney to launch Olsenboye, a junior brand that will be exclusive to the chain.  Olsenboye, which is the Olsens’ ancestral name, will fall into Penney’s good and better price tiers, retailing from $20 to $50.  Hitting stores in February, the collection will include denim, bottoms, tops, dresses, skirts, shorts, jackets, handbags and shoes.

“Mary-Kate and I watch current trends and see our partnership with J.C. Penney as an opportunity to add something unique to the marketplace, especially in the current retail climate,” said Ashley.  According to Liz Sweney, Penney’s executive vp and general merchandise manager of women’s, the Olsens came to Penney’s with the Olsenboye concept.

Image and Source: wwd.com

Ashley Olsen

Ashley Olsen, the half of the megastar twins who works full time in the fashion business now, appears on the cover of the July 4 issue of Hamptons Magazine. Inside, she gives an interview in which she talks about how her life has changed in recent years.

As head of The Row and Elizabeth & James, the two clothing labels she owns jointly with sister Mary Kate, Ashley has her hands full and is happy to be out of the spotlight and committed to her career in fashion. She told the magazine, “I’m not an actress. I’m not a public figure or acting as one,” but  went on to say that she was leaving the door open to an acting job sometime in the nebulous future.

She also tells the magazine that she prefers a quiet life where she is not constantly pursued by the press, telling the magazine, “I’ve definitely had a past life of being a personality, and a very public one. But that’s not what makes me comfortable. I’m not an actress. I’m not a public figure or acting as one.” She said she planned a quiet Independence Day weekend staying in, or perhaps going out on a boat in Montauk.

In October, she and her sister Mary Kate plan to appear on The Oprah Winfrey Show to discuss The Row, their higher end clothing line, and Elizabeth & James, their more affordable line, which is named after the twins’ two other siblings.

Ashley Olsen

Since moving to New York at age 18, Ashley Olsen, twin sister of Mary Kate Olsen has turned her attention from acting to fashion, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. Ashley is happy to leave the acting to Mary Kate, who has recently appeared movies such as 2008’s The Wackness, and television shows Samantha Who? and Weeds.

The summer issue of VMAN Magazine features an interview and photo shoot of Ashley, who has lately been concentrating on The Row, her clothing label. She tells VMAN, “I’ve been transitioning from acting as a kid to doing something that I’m choosing for myself – to be a part of the fashion industry. That’s what I want for my future.”

The Row is a luxury line of women’s wear. It will soon be adding a menswear line that Ashley played a major role in designing, with a focus on interesting textures put together in a wholly masculine way.  She tells VMAN part of her style ethos: “To touch a man who has a soft sweater on, a soft pant, a great jacket, or something that, as a woman, I want to take off him and put on and feel sexy in.”

Mary Kate is involved in The Row as a partner, but Ashley takes care of the day to day care and promotion of the brand, an arrangement both sisters favor.

1. MARIA MENOUNOS
Maria’s the host with the most style
Gliding down the Carousel of Hope Ball’s red carpet in this elegant Monique Lhuillier strapless gown on Oct. 25 was a long time coming for Access Hollywood and Today correspondent Maria Menounos. “The dress was supposed to be for the Emmys, but Maria didn’t end up going,” her stylist, Lindsay Albanese, reveals to Life & Style. “It makes her look effortlessly cool and pulled together without trying too hard.”

2. VANESSA HUDGENS
Vanessa looks so grown-up!
We had to do a double take when Vanessa Hudgens stepped out in a curve-hugging BCBG Max Azria mini at the High School Musical 3: Senior Year premiere on Oct. 30.

3. JADA PINKETT SMITH
Jada’s such a tomboy
Jada Pinkett Smith softened her boyish look of a Ruffian blazer, Theory tank and Givenchy slacks with hot-pink Christian Louboutins at the Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa premiere on Oct. 26.

4. JESSICA BIEL
Jessica steals the spotlight
Jessica Biel wowed in an Oscar de la Renta gown and Bulgari jewels at the Rome International Film Festival on Oct. 27. But it wasn’t always that way. “I wore Umbro shorts until I was 15,” she’s said. Had Jess done more with her hair, she could’ve been best dressed of the week!

5. RACHEL WEISZ
Rachel’s fashion fantasy
“In real life, I’m very unpolished,” insists Rachel Weisz. “Dressing for the red carpet is fantasy time.” At the London premiere of her new flick, The Brothers Bloom, on Oct. 27, her dream look consisted of a Roland Mouret dress, Prada pumps and a Solange Azagury-Partridge cocktail ring.

6. BROOKE BURKE
Brooke flaunts her toned dancing bod
Dancing With the Stars front-runner Brooke Burke’s vibrant Holly Morgan number screamed for attention on Oct. 28 in LA. “I like to find something that’s hot and hip in fashion but doesn’t look like you tried too hard,” she’s said.

7. CLAUDIA SCHIFFER
Claudia looks so cozy
Claudia Schiffer threw together an eclectic mix of items — including fab moccasin boots — for one haute outfit on Oct. 28 in London. “I’m never head-to-toe in any brand,” she’s said.

8. MARCIA CROSS
Green is Marcia’s hue
How to make porcelain skin pop? Just add jewel-tone green — à la Marcia Cross’ Malandrino sheath. We couldn’t take our eyes off the broken-glass detail on the belt — or the thigh-high slit.

9. ASHLEY OLSEN
Ashley’s not-so-basic black
Fashion mogul Ashley Olsen worked a decidedly businesslike look for an Oct. 30 appearance on Late Show With David Letterman in NYC. Bowed stilettos and jaw-dropping earrings added feminine touches.

10. KARINA SMIRNOFF
Karina’s look has legs
Pro dancer Karina Smirnoff went fashion-forward with a two-tone draped mini on Oct. 29 in LA. “Wear things that complement your body,” she advises Life & Style.

Tune in each week to find out which of your favorite celebs make Life & Style’s 10 best dressed list!

Credit: LIFE & STYLE WEEKLY