Mary-Kate Olsen's Life and Fashion Career Over the Years

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Mary-Kate Olsen and her twin sister Ashley were born on June 13, 1986 in Sherman Oaks, California. The girls began their acting career at the age of 9 months old when they were cast to share the role of Michelle Tanner on the ABC sitcom Full House. The show was incredibly popular and launched Mary-Kate and Ashley into child stardom. Fans loved watching the adorable twin toddlers grow up on screen for 8 seasons until the show ended in 1995.

Building an Empire as Child Stars

After Full House ended, Mary-Kate and Ashley continued finding success as a twin duo. They starred in a couple of straight-to-video movies like To Grandmother's House We Go and Double, Double Toil and Trouble in the early 90s. Their big break came in 1995 when they starred in the direct-to-video series The Adventures of Mary-Kate & Ashley. The videos were hugely popular among young girls and led to a merchandising empire of books, posters, calendars, perfumes, magazines, movies, and more.

The Olsen twins starred in a total of 7 season straight-to-video series between 1995-2000. Some of the most popular installments included You're Invited to Mary-Kate & Ashley's... (1995), The Adventures of Mary-Kate and Ashley (1995), You're Invited to Mary-Kate & Ashley's... Sleepover Party (1997), and So Little Time (2001). Their company Dualstar Entertainment Group was bringing in an estimated $1 billion in revenue by the early 2000s through videos, merchandise, books, and licensing the twins' likeness.

Transition Out of Child Stardom

As Mary-Kate and Ashley entered their teenage years, they wanted to transition away from playing kid characters. In 2004, they starred in the feature film New York Minute which would end up being their last big-screen project together. After that, Mary-Kate pursued acting roles on her own and landed recurring parts on Showtime’s Weeds and the third season of Fox’s So Little Time.

During this time, Mary-Kate also made headlines for her very thin frame and rumors of drug use and eating disorders. Her extra-small size often had people wondering if she maintained a healthy lifestyle. Mary-Kate checked into rehab in 2004 for anorexia treatment. Despite the concerning gossip about her personal life, Mary-Kate continued finding acting roles and appeared in films like Factory Girl (2006) and Beastly (2011).

Fashion Career

As Mary-Kate moved into her 20s, her passion shifted from acting to fashion design. In 2006, she and Ashley announced they would be shutting down Dualstar to pursue other interests. They had already created their fashion line Elizabeth and James (named after their other siblings) in 2004.

The Row

Mary-Kate and Ashley found major success in fashion when they launched their high-end label The Row in 2006. The sophisticated, minimalist designs earned the respect of the fashion industry almost instantly. The Olsen twins went on to win 5 Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) awards for their work on The Row. Some of their victories include:

• 2012: CFDA Womenswear Designer of the Year for The Row
• 2015: CFDA Accessories Designer of the Year for The Row
• 2018: CFDA Accessories Designer of the Year for The Row
• 2019: CFDA Accessories Designer of the Year for The Row
• 2022: CFDA American Womenswear Designer of the Year for The Row

In addition to critical acclaim, The Row has become a major force in luxury fashion. Their designs are worn by celebrities like Michelle Obama, Priyanka Chopra, and Sarah Jessica Parker. Industry experts estimated The Row was bringing in over $50 million in annual revenue by 2017.

Elizabeth and James

While Mary-Kate focused on high fashion with The Row, her more affordable line Elizabeth and James catered to the contemporary market. The brand opened up fashion retail stores across the country and found fans with young Hollywood celebrities like Taylor Swift, Nina Dobrev, and Sophia Bush. While not as prestigious as The Row, Elizabeth and James gave Millennial shoppers access to that cool Olsen twin style.

Recent Years

In 2012, Mary-Kate Olsen officially announced her retirement from acting to focus on fashion design. She married French banker Olivier Sarkozy in 2015, although they divorced in 2021 after 5 years of marriage. Even with the demands of her fashion career, Mary-Kate still makes time for travel, equestrian events, and spending time with her twin sister Ashley.

Now at 36 years old, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen remain fashion icons and moguls. They've come a long way from their shared role as baby Michelle on Full House! While Mary-Kate doesn't act much these days, her mark on Hollywood and pop culture is permanent thanks to the Olsen twin phenomenon. From childhood stardom to building a fashion empire, Mary-Kate Olsen continues to inspire fans with her creativity, business savvy, and flawless style.

FAQs

How old are Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen?

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen are both 36 years old. They were born on June 13, 1986.

What was Mary-Kate and Ashley's first acting role?

Mary-Kate and Ashley got their big break playing baby Michelle Tanner on the TV show Full House. They were only 9 months old when they landed the role.

What fashion labels have the Olsen twins created?

The Olsen twins co-founded two fashion labels - The Row, a luxury brand, and Elizabeth and James, a contemporary line.

Is Mary-Kate Olsen still acting?

No, Mary-Kate Olsen retired from acting in 2012 to focus on fashion design.

What awards have The Row won?

Mary-Kate and Ashley's high-end label The Row has won 5 CFDA awards including Womenswear Designer of the Year and Accessories Designer of the Year.