Well, I think I've just heard it all. I opened up my Saturday newspaper to the lifestyles section and saw the latest celebrity indulgence announced: Cindy Crawford has just brought her furniture line to Canada via The Brick. 
Now, perhaps I have been under a rock, but Cindy Crawford is a furniture designer?? Blecch!! Sure, she is beautiful, a great model, and a savvy business woman (with her own skin care line and exercise videos, among other endeavours), but come on...she suddenly knows enough to design furniture?? I think not. I was okay with her attaching her name to a variety of child related accessories and furniture, because she obviously has experience as a mother (she actually really gained my admiration after birthing both her chidren at home). But this endeavour leaves me cold.
Now, perhaps I have been under a rock, but Cindy Crawford is a furniture designer?? Blecch!! Sure, she is beautiful, a great model, and a savvy business woman (with her own skin care line and exercise videos, among other endeavours), but come on...she suddenly knows enough to design furniture?? I think not. I was okay with her attaching her name to a variety of child related accessories and furniture, because she obviously has experience as a mother (she actually really gained my admiration after birthing both her chidren at home). But this endeavour leaves me cold.Cindy's kid's furniture line...
Why don't we just call it as it is. Cindy obviously has a team of real furniture designers and thus we should refrain from deeming her an actual furniture designer. Apparently, she "plays an active role in suggesting and approving designs". According to Cindy, taking the leap from model to designer was, "...not a natural jump. Obviously everybody has a home and I've always spent time decorating mine -- especially when you travel a lot, your home is really your refuge. And a couple of my homes had been photographed for Architectural Digest over the years," she explains. Yeah, yeah...and there was no interior designer behind those homes?
I know I sound cranky, but I am growing weary of overpaid and over-valued celebrities being paid exhorbitant amounts of money to lend their name to everyday products. Sure, it is the nature of the beast; but aren't we getting tired of lining these people's pockets, when they are largely just figure heads? Isn't it enough that we pay to go see their movies or purchase the magazines they are featured in? Honestly, there is a difference between Martha Stewart developing a furniture line and Cindy Crawford. In my opinion, this reeks of the Kathie Lee Gifford clothing debacle of the nineties... What is your take on celebrities being dubbed "Jacks of all trades"?? Does their endorsement "up" the desirability level in your eyes of certain products??
23 comments:
I guess I'm all about the results -- if it achieves the look I'm after, I'll use it. But I certainly would not buy something simply because a certain name is attached to it. Unless, of course, that name was Sheraton, or Chippendale, or, well, you get the idea.
As for Ms. Crawford's furniture -- let's just say it's not really my cup of tea. :)
xoxo,
Mary
I agree with you. Celebrity worship as a whole leaves me cold. Better to admire someone who really makes a difference and has earned our respect in their chosen field.
Truly a great post! Those who dabble in a variety of pursuits...lending their names to things that are really not their creation...it's crazy. celebrity endorsements really don't do anything but up the price to consumers.
Having her name on it does not make me want to run out and decorate my home with it. I agree with you that she shouldn't be dubbed a furniture designer unless she has designed the furniture pieces from scratch herself.
I think this might be the first time I've commented on your blog :) I've been reading it for a little while now. I love your photos! Your home is beautiful!
Let us who know how to do it, do it
....stick to hair....or make up or whatever....covering up moles...ooops did I just say that?
The almighty dollar is just that...almighty...jump on any bandwagon.....it's like celebs all of a sudden deciding to open a restaurant....how does one know how to do that?
Well she's been a designer for the Rooms to Go stores in the US for several years so somebody is liking her style and buying her products! She's not the only model turned designer that we have - Kathy Ireland also has furniture line.
I'm not big on celebrity endorsements (actually I could care less) and I wish people would stop being so wrapped up in the whole celebrity gossip etc thing!
Manuela
I seriously double that she had any part in the design , he homes are stunning and beautiful , I imagine it is just a financial business transaction, she puts her name on the furniture...that's it .
Her homes are to die for .
The furniture is just plain cheesy for the most part , at least when I was looking at it, ah so is the Brick, cheese factory , with the occassional classic piece if you can find it.
Sorry seriously doubt, not double , its early.
Got to proof read more.
Actually, she's been around as a furniture "designer" for quite some time in the US. She has her own line at Rooms To Go. I would never buy anything because her name is on it... and I can't figure out who would. So if she's NOT designing it, I just don't get it. Not that I think she does design it... did I lose you there? lol I don't think I'd ever buy anything from Rooms to Go (who carries the CC line)...I mean they also carry an entire Hannah Montana bedroom suite. Yikes!
Call me old and grumpy, but I am tired of even hearing about all the celebrities and their lives and loves and endeavors.
Fed up in Massachusetts,
Janet
The states are soo about the celeb. Enough already. It actually turns me off to see a celeb name on something (especially a cheesy one like Cindy Crawford) :0)
Her endorsement on this furniture line would not inflluence me in the least. I think the children's furniture is rather ugly. The sofa is fine but it's quite ordinary. I guess they need to get their hands into anything to make a dime.
Hi there Linda!
I'm finally getting back into blogging and I had to pop over!
In general, I boycott all celebrity endorsements. Being famous no more qualifies you to design furniture, create a 'fragrance' or delve into political analysis. And I love the narcissism of these people who believe that we actually care what they think. But, I'm uppity like that!
Love,
Julie
This bothers me, but less than Oprah telling us about her vision of God. Just because someone is a celeb doesn't mean they are experts on anything. Next they have so and so's brain surgery tecniques. Sorry, but this issue makes my blood boil, just like political endorsements. I know, enough. Christy:-)<><
Funny, I was thinking the very same thing when I was reading the Sunday paper, but it was not about furniture. This one was about celebs who are doing the voice-overs for animated features. For years, these were done by talented unknowns (well, except Mel Blanc), and now suddenly they need Angelina Jolie and other high profile people. The old regular voice animation actors are resentful of this. Honestly, you see someone's name slapped on just about anything these days! As for Ms. Crawford's furniture line...I'd never pay for that. I'm finding unbelievable things on craigslist for a fraction of the cost!
And one more thing to get this celeb stuff off my chest! Are they they only people who ever give birth?
Linda, I lurk here all the time, but I don't post much. Your blog is fantastic!
Thanks everyone, for your feedback! I am also happy to hear from some of my readers who have never commented before. I appreciate each and every comment, and it is fun every now and then to look at a `hot topic`!!
It's nice to see someone else shares the same opinions I do. It seems that our culture is obsessed with worshipping idols. Not stone gods, but very human mortals. Just because someone is a good actor does not mean that what they wear, eat, sleep on, or read is worthwhile. I'm a little sick of how celebrities are looked to for their opinions on politics, or used to put their names and images on a product so it will sell better. And to some extent, it must work because it's a often-used marketing tactic. But that tactic does not instill confidence in me. I am still skeptical that a model/actress could actually design furniture. Isn't it just a teensy-bit dishonest to put your name to something you didn't really have a hand in designing or creating? Just my humble opinion. :)
I believe that celebrity interior designer Michael S. Smith (check out his book "Elements of Style") did Ms. Crawford's home(s) Do we actually imagine that ANY of the so-called "designers" (found in any of the normal stores) actually forego their Pratesi sheets or 18th-century cabinets for their OWN designs???? LOL! No -- they "design" for the mere peasants ...... and hire the VERY exclusive designers to do their own homes ..........
Jan at Rosemary Cottage (who might be called "testy" at the best of times ...... and simply "scary" at other times ....)
It's news to me that Cindy Crawford is a furniture designer now! This cracked me up.
I would be embarrassed to admit that I decorated my living room, for example, with "Cindy Crawford furniture." Can you imagine the looks your friends and family would give you? Sorry, Cindy. It just sounds ridiculous. I think I'll pass. -Julia
THey sell her stuff at RC Willey here. Not only is it ugly, but it's poor quality too. I don't think the fact that she's laying on her sofa in a short red dress in the commercials is going to make any of us go out and buy it either.... :)
I'd have to agree that it makes me a little cranky too. that being said, I know there are those people out there who are creative and talented in more than one area...but furniture design? you're right...she's clearly been asked to lend her name to something she doesn't have much (any?) experience in.
I'm getting tired of celebrity figureheads. It makes me NOT want to use or buy a product especially if the celebrity has no great genius with respect to the particular product. Now someone as hip and cool as Gwen Stefani designing clothes I can imagine. Cindy's gig sounds weird but the girl should have decor style - she is known to have worked with Michael S. Smith for many years on her various homes and I have seen photos of many and they are very tasteful, classic and simple and not at all garrish. I was surprised that she had so much class in her homes. Maybe it was Michael's influence. I'd give her the benefit of the doubt - she has been around beautiful homes and art for a very long time and is a smart lady and has likely learned a lot - enough to be a designer? Likely not, but better than some celebrity endorsements for sure!
The proof is in the pudding I guess.
And she probably needs the money since she is over the hill now. What is she, 36?
;)
xox Terri
that picture of her looks like the wax museum or something.
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