The Olsen girls have steadily grown on me over the past year or so. I keep seeing their collection, The Row, featured in Vogue and other fashion magazines. They consistently keep their personal business locked down, and while I think both of them may have some issues with drugs and/or eating disorders, I also think that they’re consistently professional, ambitious, smart and increasingly cool. Also: they are the same age as Lindsay Lohan. That puts things into perspective, doesn’t it? Unfortunately, I still can’t tell them apart. Mary-Kate is the cover girl for the September Marie Claire, and MK is kind of going hardcore. She doesn’t go into great detail about her personal life and her family, but she certainly knows how to give some interesting quotes (Marie Claire piece here):
Mary-Kate Olsen is not the same girl you watched grow up on Full House alongside twin sister Ashley. She’s now a fashion powerhouse who has forged an identity all her own. Marie Claire’s Kimberly Cutter gets an up-close look at the intensely private star, goes inside the studio of her label, The Row, and looks back at her anything-but-ordinary upbringing in our latest issue, on sale at newsstands now.
Often seen yet rarely heard, Mary-Kate’s cover shoot at The Inn in Quogue, New York, sets the sartorial tone — she wears a mash-up of designers, from her own leather jacket to mainstays like Valentino and Catherine Malandrino to newcomer Christopher Kane — and a humorous one, with an antler headband.
Outside of the spotlight, the 24-year-old bohemian star loves designing for her mix of labels — from The Row to her and Ashley’s lower-priced Olsenboye line for JCPenney — because “it’s kind of like a mask to hide behind.” In fact, Mary-Kate likens her and her sister to “little monkey performers” when referencing her childhood in front of the cameras: “I look at old photos of me, and I don’t feel connected to them at all… I would never wish my upbringing on anyone…”
And when the topics turn to her tabloid-plastered problems with an eating disorder (she entered treatment for one in 2004) and with a hard-partying lifestyle (including her time with the late Heath Ledger), she only says that she’s learned to seek help when she needs it: “I think it’s really important to be able to talk when something’s wrong. I learned at a really young age that if you don’t talk about it, it can drive you insane.”
Her focus right now, as Cutter writes, is all to do with fashion. From the inception of The Row to their early successes — “It took us a year-and-a-half to make the first T-shirt,” she says — Mary-Kate takes it more seriously than anything else: “I still read scripts, and if something great comes along, that’s great … but this is my day job. The Row is where I go every day.”
[From Marie Claire]
Honestly, when they were growing up, I thought Ashley and MK would totally have at least one major crash-and-burn between them. But I was wrong, and I am happy about that. Maybe it helps that they seem so close, and like they actually have each other’s backs so completely? Maybe it’s their shared passion for fashion. I don’t know. But good for them.
Two covers and additional photos courtesy of Marie Claire.
I wonder how many animals died to make the coats she wearing. Marie Claire should be ashamed of themselves. I would never buy their magazine.
I still am shocked that they are fraternal twins, they look so identical.
oh cry me a river. she prolly wouldn’t be on marie claire today if not for full house.
I kind of give them props for having been exposed to so much more media attention than Lolo and Hilton at a young age, but somehow managing to – scratch that- working to keep a low personal life profile.
but I agree 100% with @pursweetnes on the fur matter. SHAME!!!!
Also, they were tiny tiny infants when their parents made an enormous life altering decision for them, so if they feel it was difficult, I am prepared to accept that perspective. I know that even though I love money, I wouldn’t put my kids in a television show at a young age.
It did give them both all the opportunity (and money) in the world, but it was never their choice to go on the show, they were just babies, so I can understand her comments about that a little.
Yuck on the coat, but at least they are productive and working, unlike many other girls from their party crowd.
I always thought they were identical too, TaylorB. Maybe someone read the test results wrong!
i always liked them because unlike miley/britney/xtina they didn’t take off all their clothes and started crying for attention the moment they turned 16. they might wear weird shit, but they’re always covered up and classy, they don’t openly drink or do drugs and they managed to stay out of trouble. i guess that sort of made them bland and boring in the eyes of the mainstream media, but oh well, at least they have some resemblance of normal private life.
on the subject of fur…
my mom is visiting her family home in europe and she told me that she found an old russian fur hat (ushanka) that belonged to my grandfather who passed away a few years ago. she said shes bringing it back home for me because she knows how much i love things that belonged to my family and have a story to them.
i cant wait to wear it this winter. i live in canada and our winters are brutal.
anyway, just thought i would point out to all those fur nazis out there that vintage fur pieces exist and sometimes people have an emotional attachment to them.
If you believe the animal fur featured in these photos is being worn because she has an “emotional attachment” to them, I’ve got a bridge to sell you. And your likening opposition to the electrocution and trapping of animals to “Nazism” shows a great deal of ignorance of what “Nazism” actually means.
I myself inherited a fur coat from my great-grandmother. I loved my great-grandmother, but I gave the fur to a feral cat colony (made it into a bed for them). That fur should never have been ripped from the animals to begin with. The fact that my great-grandmother is the person who bought the coat does not undo the enormous cruelty and killing of those defenseless, terrified animals. I could never dupe myself into pretending like that fur was okay long enough to actually wear it anywhere.
I like the coat, and have no problem with fur. Good Interview too.
“little monkey performers” lol!
she ain’t just whistlin’ dixie, either…those girls were workin that ‘monchichi’ something terrible when they were tikes.
http://img2.timeinc.net/people/i/2008/news/080623/olsens.jpg
own it, sister. 🙂
yeah, well, honey if you didn’t have the upbringing you’d be waiting tables or asking ‘do you want fries with that?’ instead.
Meme: No, not really.
I’ve not had that upbringing and I’m doing neither. I get where she’s coming from; it’s not just about the money.
I’ve waited on her many times. She’s an insufferable brat. She is, by far, the worst celebrity I’ve ever had to deal with. I posted a longer rant about this on another story about her. But, basically, she was a regular at a coffee shop I worked at four of five years ago. I realize she was young then, and perhaps she’s changed since. I sincerely hope she has, actually! But, back then, she came across as an anorexic, strung out mess. Oddly enough, her sister was always very nice, well put together and looked relatively healthy.
Dear fur haters, I understand your position. The poor animals were killed just so someone could feel pretty. I just have a couple of questions. Do you wear cosmetics? How about leather? Do you eat beef, chicken, tuna, etc? Do you wear perfume? Did you read the article? Do you even know if the fur is real?
Some of the questions you ask are good. Yes, I wear cosmetics – the ones that are vegan. No, I don’t eat animals or animal “products.” You must not either, since you seem to have made the connection between the cruelty of the fur trade and the cruelty of other animal trades. It’s always great to hear when someone has had this epiphany!
So everyone who isn’t on television as a baby will grow up to work in the food service industry? Doubt it. It also doesn’t mean they can’t go for it later, like most of Hollywood. I wouldn’t let my kids do it either. It’s my job to provide, not theirs.
Wow, Elle, that’s a pretty high horse you’re riding. I can’t believe no one remembers Mary Kate’s role in Heath Ledger’s death: that he died in her apartment, that her masseuse called Mary Kate while Ledger was dying and that Mary Kate called her OWN security team to clean up the mess rather than 911 to see if she could save him. Bitch was young, too, so the selfish, cunning, callous thing must be ingrained. Inexcusable, really. If she lives 100 years, she will never live that down.
STOP IT WITH THE DUCKFACE, TW@T.
worst expression ever.
How many people slamming her for hating her working childhood are the same posters slamming Kate Gosselin for making her kids work?
You just sound bitter.
Agreed with everything Kaiser said. I like these two young ladies quite a bit. And I was absolutely never a fan when I was younger (or when they were younger). Only circa MK’s eating disorder and their professional, grown-up handling of the glaring spotlight that followed them around that time did my mind start to change.
So much carcass. How is that still considered fashionable by anyone?
Don’t be so literal, peeps. substitute anything you want for “waitress/ya want fries with that.” What I meant was she wouldn’t have the privileged life she has and would actually have some boring 9-5 job because I don’t think she’s particularly smart or talented.
And because I didn’t see that before I commented… @Elle — no, I don’t wear cosmetics or perfume containing animal byproducts or that have been tested on them, no I don’t wear leather, and I haven’t eaten meat or seafood since I was 12. And though I could be wrong, that fur looks pretty real after a practical lifetime of research on the matter, and considering the common knowledge that both twins are often photographed wearing real fur to premieres and fashion shows.
Uh-huh…boo hoo. I’m a rich, famous former child actress who hasn’t really done anything of note (presuming “Full House” counts as noteworthy) and now I want you all to feel sorry for me as I make a hundred times more than any of you make in a year by posing for a photographer for a few hours. Modeling is hard work!
I have not liked her since she freakin’ demanded immunity in court for the whole Heath Ledger thing. She’s disgusting.
Elle, my thoughts exactly!
Everyone thinks the grass is greener on the other side. I hear a lot of people complain about their childhood but when you ask about possible abuse or neglect they can’t speak of any. I’m sure it sucked to be forced to act in front of a camera but they haven’t left the business. I can think of much worse childhoods.
@ Zelda
I spent years of my childhood working on a farm picking eggs, feeding animals at 5 years old before going to school at 6:00am. After that my parents had a store where I worked. I’m 30 and it feels like thre was never a point in my life where I didn’t have a job. There are some things I wish I could change but again I know people who’ve had much worse to complain about. I think most complaints about John and Kate is that the kids weren’t being paid directly. The money was going to John and Kate and people were worried that a trust wasn’t set up for the kids share. This wasn’t the case in Mary and Kate’s situation.
I give them both props for growing up and not growing down. These chicks are ok in my book, aside from any dangerous ED thigns. That part sucks but overall I think they have fared well for child stars
wow Brittney, snap! lol
im a vegetarian too, but i understand people need to eat protein, its a basic need and they might not be willing to try other sources, like vegetarians do. But nobody needs to wear real fur. theres a huge difference between one and the other. People make some old refutable arguments here, but still think they are so original they could have invented the circle or something.
Blah blah blah with the fur bs…how do u even know that’s real fur? Even if it is, what business is it of ur’s??? LIVE UR OWN LIFE & STOP WORRYING SO MUCH ABOUT THE JACKET SHE’S WEARING. IT DOESN’T CONCERN U!
Now, with that being said…I think she looks great.
When someone is being hurt and even killed, it is everyone’s business. Especially a population, such as animals, whose voices are ignored by the industries that profit from them.
If everyone adopted your attitude, the Holocaust (the World War II version) would have never been opposed. Hey, those concentration camps weren’t bothering ME, were they?! Remember your comment here if you ever find YOURSELF the victim of someone else’s anger or desire for money. Don’t bother to ask for help cuz, after all, that rapist or murderer is only bothering YOU so it’s no one’s problem but your own… right?
Lets try to understand someone whom we have never met. None of you have been a child star. It is apparent it is unhealthy for children. look at how whacked out most of them are.She has every right to talk about it in the negative. Parents of child stars are usually narcissists and use the children. Oh what fun. The fact that she has money from it does not mean it wasn’t damaging. Money is not everything.You can’t get your childhood back no matter how much money you have. These two sisters are smart. they invested and made the best out of it. And they were rewarded monetarily. Capitalistic pigs. lol
Meh your childhood wasn’t so bad, a lot of kids have it much much worse and wish they did have your upbringing.
Does anybody else think it’s in bad taste on the 2nd cover to have the headline “Diet Secrets: What real women eat” on the cover with a person who suffered from an eating disorder? Fail.
When I read her comment about “her childhood” I did not exclusively interpret it to mean her acting career. It was more broad and vague. I interpreted as being more about their family life or lack thereof, love or lack thereof, etc. not exclusively the acting part (although I am sure that was a large part of it).
Wow – she’s got some eyebrows on her. NOt saying that’s bad, but I’m just so used to everybody else on magazine covers to beig tweezed to all get out.
Maybe its just me, but I’d like to see a photo of her where she isn’t pursing her lips.
Maybe its just me, but I’d like to see a photo of her where she isn’t pursing her lips.
Oops, double post, sorry!
My biggest beef with the Olsens is the introduction of that horrible duck face now seen everywhere.
Only in Hollywierd is it considered ok for a baby to have a j-o-b.
And they’re so boo hoo over child labor elsewhere, yet infants work in Hollywierd.
Also, the only job an infant CAN do is act, which shows it often requires precious little intelligence. Hence, many of today’s more low rent celebs. Not her, but others.
I agree with comment 6. I have always liked how those two girls dressed covered up and stylish and maybe even odd at times. Most teens shouldn’t be this skinny, but the style is definitely cute. Minus the fur, there’s warm enough cotton right now. 😉 Even if they are not teens anymore, it’s cute how they dress. All those spoiled celebrity teens in Hollywood should dress more like this…including those Kardashian/Jenner pups. That’s nice to hear the other twin is a nice good person, (comment 12), I hope this one has changed her ways as well by now. 😉 And one more thing…”You got it dude!!” Sorry, just had to say that for the fun of it, lmao
I read her comment as just wishing she had a more conventional childhood, not necessarily complaining about the one she had.
There will never be a “big crash between them.” It’s a twin thing — my mom is a twin & while she & her sister may argue/fight there is a connection like nothing else in the world — it is beyond sibling love & closeness. Yes, they are two different people but the connection is so deep it is like they are also the same person — it is a little weird but beautiful at the same time. I’m close to my sister (only 1 year apart) but we still don’t have that same connection like my mom & her twin sister has. I guess it is being in the same womb together. I’m sure MK & Ashley have the same thing.
I do feel badly for the twins, I don’t think there should be child actors at all in Hollywood…if your kid really wants to act then put him or her in community theater and not into the very adult world of Hollywood. It’s so hard for most grown-ups to handle, why do people think little kids can handle it?
I too haven’t forgotten the Heath Ledger thing and I want to know why MK was called and then her security went over to clean up. Until then, I will assume she is up to no good. She looks like a troll and all her clothes look like they come from a garbage can.
It wasn’t Mary Kate’s apartment where Heath Ledger died. She didn’t own it.
I wish Momma Gosselin would read the article and take the words to heart but she’s too much of a narcissist using her kids to get fame and money.
@Lee-guess you have no problem with fur because it wasn’t ripped off YOUR as#!!
Come on, vintage fur is fine. In fact, it’s far more ethical and environmentally friendly than something made of out petrochemicals, and I wear mine every winter. Those animals died before anyone started questioning fur, and chucking it all in a landfill is stupid, reactionary and wasteful. It is no more wrong for us to wear VINTAGE (only) fur than it was for our neolithic ancestors to do so.
I would NEVER touch a new piece of fur for obvious ethical reasons; it is cruel and grotesque to demand more animals die for the pure sake of vanity. For this reason we should value and celebrate the fur that is already with us, respect where it came from and know better in future.
Anyhoo, I just want to say that these two are pretty talentless as far as moi can see, and if they weren’t psychotically wealthy, no one in the fashion industry would suck up to them as they currently do. It’s all who you know, not what you do. And as far as having a horrible childhood is concerned, this trick needs to visit the third world some time. That is all.
I am sure Mary-Kate was hiding a bludgeoned baby seal in Heath’s closet and just had to get it out before the fur conspiracy theory tards got there. HUGE EYE ROLL.
I too think the whole Ledger “incident” was curious, but I admit I’ll buy this issue. Not knowing the details, I’d be willing to bet there would be many a celeb who’d be moaning to the mags for years to come about the loss of their dear “friend” Heath, and she refuses to say anything. That’s what I like about those two: I don’t know much about them.
Both girls always look so unhappy. Another example of how money doesn’t buy happiness.
I doubt it’s real fur. The fake stuff is unbelievably real-looking now and most mags won’t touch the real stuff for photo shoots anymore.
She’s how old? And so many of you are bitching because you think she hasn’t worked? Just because she hasn’t cleaned a chicken coop on her hands and knees with a toothbrush at one in the morning doesn’t mean she hasn’t worked. Please. If it were Drew Barrymore, you’d be kissing her ass and nodding your heads agreeing that she had a horrible childhood and congratulating her on overcoming her problems.
As for the Heath Ledger incident, unless you were there, how do you know what happened? If whatever did happen wasn’t criminal, then keeping her lips zipped is doing Matilda and Heath’s family an enormous service, isn’t it?
She can’t win.
BTW, Kaiser – MK herself has said that Ashley is the one with the “prettier” face. If you ever see the two of them together, Ashley is the one with the more conventionally pretty, softer and even featured face. MK’s face is a little more like, well, a monkey.
I always thought those twins looked like little trolls on Full House; and not very articulate, either. The Mona Lisa smiles they have mastered are really annoying. Do they have malformed teeth?
Are the rights of animals are more important than the rights of child actors? Some comments seem to reflect that assumption.
“..she ain’t just whistlin’ dixie, either…those girls were workin that ‘monchichi’ something terrible when they were tikes.”
YES!!I’ve ALWAYS though this, but then again I’m kind of a bitch that way.
@ Ruffian9:
you’re not truly free until you can call baby a funny lookin. lol
own it.
Her hair looks so dry.
i like mary kate and ashley olsen i am there fan i have watched all there movies and i still watch two of a kind on popgirl its great i luv the peanut butter song they did when they were tiny aaah sooo cute wish u luk in the futer ur fan faizana!
Any sympathy I had for her was instantly removed when I scrolled down to see her wearing the carcasses of innocent animals who were anally electrocuted, caught with their legs in traps, or skinned alive. This isn’t the Dark Ages. Everyone, including this spoiled, entitled “fashion” designer knows what happens to animals before they’re chopped up and made into clothing. There is no excuse. Shame on her for funding and promoting such unfathomable cruelty!!!