Celebrities and their "fashion" lines

When did this start? They know nothing about fashion and who the heck sells their stuff anyway? What happened to Lindsay's fashion line and self-tanning products? Was it ever real or just talk? "Celebrity" now seems to be about business and marketing themselves and not about talent. Seems like every trashy whore now has her own line out.

• Jacklyn Smith with Kmart

• Snooki's. Products are excellent - I got a necklace and a bracelet, very satisfied - her jewelery line is outstanding as are her sunglasses, nailpolish and other products

  Minx

• It was Russell Simmons Phat Farm that started the trend.

• Jessica Simpson has made a fortune

• Both Baby Peggy and Shirley Temple had lines of childrens dresses with their names on them in the 1920s and 30s. There were also sewing patterns called Hollywood Patterns that featured movie stars on the envelopes from the 30s. It looks to me like it has been going on in one form or another at least since the motion picture became mainstream.