Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen have been in the spotlight since they were babies. After playing Michelle Tanner on “Full House,” the Olsen twins became a household name.
The siblings soon became stars in their own right, launching a production company and leading a series of popular kids’ films. Following their official retirement from acting in the 2000s, the twins entered the fashion industry, founding their brands The Row and Elizabeth and James.
Ahead, WWD looks back at the Olsen twins’ journey from sitcom stardom to fashion royalty.
1987: “Full House” Premieres
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen in 1990.
Disney General Entertainment Con
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen were just nine months old when “Full House” premiered on ABC. Labor laws mandate that child actors only work a set amount of hours, which is why the twins were both cast as Michelle Tanner. They took turns playing the role until “Full House” ended in 1995.
1993: The Olsen Twins Launch Dualstar
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen in 1993.
Disney General Entertainment Con
At the ages of 6, Mary-Kate and Ashley founded Dualstar, a production company that encompassed several subsidiaries including video distribution, books, animation and music. Under the Dualstar banner, the Olsen twins starred in 14 movies, two direct-to-video series and three television shows.
2004: Teen Idols
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen on the set of “New York Minute.”
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Mary-Kate and Ashley made their silver screen debut in 1995 with “It Takes Two.” Their only other feature film, “New York Minute,” came out in 2004. It marked the Olsens’ final film together, as well as Ashley’s last film appearance. Upon their 18th birthday, the twins became joint chief executive officers and presidents of Dualstar.
That year, they also launched their first clothing line, the Mary-Kate and Ashley collection, which was marketed at girls from ages 4 to 14. The twins rang in their Walmart-exclusive range with a Paris fashion show, debuting clothing and accessories that embraced early aughts trends like ribbon belts, halter tops and brightly-patterned beachwear sets.
2006: The Olsen Twins Start The Row
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen attend the 2007 CFDA Fashion Awards.
Penske Media via Getty Images
Even before they launched their own label, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen were fixtures in the fashion industry, sitting front row at Oscar de la Renta and Marc Jacobs, landing invites to the Met Gala and becoming spokesmodels for Badgley Mischka.
The twins’ affinity for breezy, oversize silhouettes spawned a boho craze, which they eventually capitalized on by founding The Row in 2006. Today, the brand encompasses quiet luxury across women’s and menswear, handbags, shoes, accessories and children’s apparel.
In 2007, Mary-Kate and Ashley debuted a second clothing line, Elizabeth and James, which was named after their younger siblings.
2012-Present: Decorated Designers
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in 2012.
WireImage
As the Olsens matured, so, too, did their designs. The Row still focuses on staple pieces with a sophisticated twist. The label puts a stylish spin on business casual basics, embracing luxe textures like silk and cashmere.
The twins won their first CFDA Fashion Award for The Row in 2012. Mary-Kate and Ashley have consistently swept the categories of Accessories Designer of the Year and Womenswear Designer of the Year, picking up four more CFDA Awards between 2014 and 2019.
As of 2021, The Row’s annual sales reached over $100 million, and that year, the Olsens decided to expand their clothing empire to include children’s wear.
This fall, it was revealed that the Wertheimer brothers, the family that owns Chanel, and Francoise Bettencourt Meyers, the billionaire heiress to the L’Oréal fortune, have invested in The Row, though the Olsen twins remain majority shareholders. This recent investment is expected to up the company’s valuation to $1 billion.
