By Emily Kopec

Pulse puts the magnifying glass on the fashion lines of four popular musicians.

Avril Lavigne: Abbey Dawn

When Ms. Lavigne guest-judged on American Idol this season, I for one wanted to jump through the TV and strangle her as she peered up from under her devil-horned hoodie (not impressed) and smugly shattered the dreams of hopeful contestants (many of whom were talented) in an “I’m trying to be nice but you suck” tone while rudely snapping her gum.

But A.I. business aside, how does Miss Complicated fare as fashion designer?

In her line Abbey Dawn, Lavigne takes very wearable pieces likes jeans and tees and infuses them with bright colors and punky designs. The white zip-up hoodie sprinkled with bright multi-colored stars (think ice-cream jimmy colors) would be great to throw on over a solid outfit that needs brightening up. Another easy wear is the muted pink tee-shirt with a black glossy design of a cassette tape unraveling. OK, I get it: young rocker cool, and really not so…Complicated. But then there are some items that leap over the gaudy line with way too much going on, like the white pin-striped shorts with skull and crossbone details that have attached suspenders featuring a bright pink bow.

Available “exclusively” at Kohl’s, Abbey Dawn is in the right place for the right audience: pre-teens and teenagers looking to stand out in homeroom, or 20 somethings looking to add just a pop of extra girlie fun to their otherwise age-appropriate outfits.  But then again, as a 25-year-old divorcee, Lavigne is closer to age 30 than to 15. Maybe someone needs to grow up? Hmm. Just sayin’.

Gwen Stefani: L.A.M.B.“Music and fashion, it all comes from the same place of creativity,” the Hollaback Girl said to the Associated Press.Throughout the years, Stefani has proven to be an original trend-setter, heavily favoring retro influences. Who can forget her 40s glam-gorgeous look in the “Don’t Speak” video (rumor has it she purchased that polka dot dress for $5), or when she “Blew Your Mind” alongside Eve in a red satin cropped 80s baseball jacket with a visor and big jewelry.So it seems natural that Stefani would come up with her own fashion line, the wildly successful L.A.M.B.Let’s start with the wearable side of it: I love the short, drape-y dresses. The cuts are simple, sexy and sophisticated all at once. With an asymmetrical shoulder here and some snake print there, Stefani hits a homerun.Now onto the hipster ska girl turned fashionista extraordinaire! Stefani pulls out all the stops with some of her latest creations: a black leather corset worn over a button-up shirt, a shredded paint-splattered red tee, military pants that are baggy on top and fitted at bottom, high-waisted liquid-y leather pants, and a tie-dye bubble mini-dress with a belt that criss-crosses around the torso three(!) times (worn with knee socks of course). Stefani also incorporates more basic must-haves like a luxurious wrap done in an oversize gingham pattern and slouchy boyfriend jeans with big sturdy belt loops.And last but certainly not least, L.A.M.B. shoes are the bomb! Edgy buckles and cage cut-outs take center stage in this strappy shoe line. Shades of nude and black are often combined in these stunning heels, sure to win the heart of any shoe lover.Stefani’s designs stay true to her inner rebel while at the same time reflecting the grown-up woman she is. Can this woman do any wrong? Go Gwen!

Justin Timberlake: William Rast

J.T., what’s taking so long? We want another album! We’ve been listening to that CD over and over again for what seems like eternity. Let’s momentarily distract ourselves by taking a look at Mr. SexyBack’s hand in fashion design.

Timberlake has said his sense of style is largely influenced by his home state of Tennessee, and clearly that southern influence has come across in his line, William Rast.

William Rast features uber-cool wear for guys who know a thing or two about how to look good. What lady can resist a crisp, fitted flannel shirt with the sleeves rolled up, especially when it’s paired with boot-cut faded gray jeans that look like they were worn in a rodeo and somehow stayed clean and perfect. Leather jackets in shades from pewter to black stand out with details like retro ribbed waistbands, classic double-breasted collars, and clusters of studs.

Timberlake gives us a little more bang with a gray sleeveless vest, more on the dressy side, worn over a white t-shirt. While this look is neither here nor there, it’s about as risky as he gets. William Rast also offers designs for women, which are also pretty basic…and even kind of boring. There’s not a whole lot of color to be seen in either line. He’s understandably faring better with his men’s line.

All and all, Timberlake has come up with some meat-and-potatoes pieces with a slight edge, geared for guys and gals who don’t want to look too, well, edgy. Nothing wrong with that, but he’s not going anywhere that hasn’t been gone before.

Now, back to the subject of that new CD…Is it ever going to be here?


America’s favorite sexy songbird keeps delivering the goods, and there’s no end in sight. Along with her mother and sister, Knowles created her fashion line Dereon to reflect her Creole influences and bold ideas while keeping things fresh and playful.

Beyonce Knowles: Dereon

Dereon gets it right by being extremely diverse, offering pieces from flowy dresses to ~ more recently ~ bondage- inspired looks. This season’s collection is seeing details like metal chains and tough-girl studs. But the pudding is in the signature head-turning short, short dresses in vibrant colors and prints, perfect for a night out at the club. I love The Fleur Chain Dress, featuring off-the-shoulder sleeves with chain link shoulder straps, ruched sides, and a graphic chain print. (This and other Dereon pieces are on sale at drjays.com). These are exactly the types of dresses you want to be wearing when you’re out dancing to such songs as, you know, “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It).” All hail Sasha Fierce!