Lauren Conrad, star of the hit MTV Hollywood reality show "The Hills," says she's got an uphill battle when it comes to proving herself as a fashion designer.

"Being on a reality show and then trying to branch out into designing, it's kind of a double-edged sword," Conrad said Friday in an interview at the head office of Canadian retailer Holt Renfrew, where her debut spring 2008 womenswear collection is now available.

"I would not be able to have the line if I didn't have the reality show first or I wouldn't be able to have it so soon, but because I was on a reality show, you don't get the respect that you want and … I have done everything to deserve it as far as all the designing and everything that I would've done, reality show or not. Because I got the opportunity so much sooner, people are quick to criticize."

The Lauren Conrad Collection, available exclusively at Holt Renfrew in Canada and in 500 boutiques in the U.S. (and online at www.shoplaurenconrad.com), reflects Conrad's upbringing in Southern California with light, flowing dresses and tops that have clean lines and shapes. All the items are machine-washable.

Conrad, whose training at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles and internship at Teen Vogue were documented in her show, has already created a spring, summer and fall collection for this year.

Canadians looking for warmer winter items from the Hollywood fashion plate shouldn't get their hopes up, though.

"It really is a California brand," said the 22-year-old, who appeared on the popular MTV reality series "Laguna Beach" four years ago before getting her own spinoff series that airs Monday nights on MTV Canada.

Conrad, who has complete creative control over her line, made her designer debut at Mercedes-Benz L.A. Fashion Week earlier this month.

The experience was "amazing" but at one point brought her to tears backstage, she said.

"I actually thought that I had messed up," said Conrad, looking impeccably stylish in a purple dress and black heels.

"I was sending looks out and they were kind of untucked and I was like, 'Oh my gosh, it looked terrible,' and I went out and did my wave and walked backstage and I just broke into tears and I was like, 'Oh my God, it was so bad!' … I ended up seeing it (later on tape) and I was like, 'OK, it was fine, it was fine."'

Season 3 of "The Hills" returned from a winter hiatus this past Monday and got its highest number of viewers ever.

Conrad says she's willing to do a fourth season of the show but isn't sure about a fifth.

As for the ongoing tabloid speculation surrounding her life, Conrad confirms that she is single, doesn't talk to Heidi Montag (her rival on "The Hills") and still keeps in touch with her ex-boyfriend, Jason Wahler.

She also quashed rumors that a movie based on her show is being planned.

"I think I was doing an interview and they asked if they were going to do a 'Hills' movie, how would they film it, and then people kind of ran with it," said Conrad, who lives in a house in Los Angeles with Audrina Patridge and Lauren (Lo) Bosworth, her BFFs on "The Hills."

"But, no, there's no 'Hills' movie in the works."

Rating: 3

We've heard the saying less is more, but sometimes less could also be boring and dead. Lauren has too much drama in her reality show and she could have used some in her dress.

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Lucy Liu is calling on Americans to pay $1 (50 pence) for tap water in restaurants to help save children's lives in Africa. Liu, a United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) ambassador, has just returned from Cote d'Ivoire in Africa, where she witnessed the threat to child survival caused by a lack of clean drinking water. And now the actress is encouraging people to pay for the tap water they'd normally get for free during World Water Week this week (begs17Mar08) - to help raise $1 million (GBP500,000) to provide African children with purified water.

Liu says, "If you go to a restaurant and they'd give you tap water for free, they're asking you to donate a dollar for the tap water. "One dollar will provide water for 40 children for one day, which is incredible. It's kind of great - you get to go out and enjoy food with people and you get to give back in such a small and simple way." More than 2,000 restaurants across the U.S. have signed up to participate in World Water Week.

Rating: 3

Somehow it would have been a lot better if she wore shoes without straps or she could have worn animal print peep toes, a whole lot sexier for the tiger in Lucy. 

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Supermodel Giselle Bundchen has dismissed rumors she is to produce a special fashion line for Dolce + Gabbana. The Brazilian beauty, who is the face of the label's perfume, The One, was alleged to be working on an exclusive collection of clothes and accessories for the Italian fashion house for the self-titled Bundchen By Dolce + Gabbana collection.

Further reports in February (08) claim the label was due to celebrate the spring (08) launch with parties in cities across the world, including Rome, New York, London, Paris, and Sao Paulo, Brazil. But Bundchen insists Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana have "no need" for her help in designing clothes, reports TheCelebrityTruth.com.

In a statement issued via her modeling agency IMG models, she says, "I am surprised and flattered by the news that there was a party being planned in honor of a collaboration with Domenico and Stefano. "(I am) surprised, certainly, as no such line is in development. They are two of the most talented designers in the world and are in no way in need of my help to complement their collections. "I have been so grateful to participate in their campaigns and runway shows and look forward to a continued relationship with them in this capacity.

Rating: 5

With a body like that, you can't go wrong wearing a dress so tight as that. Absolute perfection in white by Bundchen, an angel in disguise.

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Filmmaker Brett Ratner has been forced to drop out of directing duties for new TV drama WOMEN'S MURDER CLUB because he's too busy finishing Rush Hour 3. The X-MEN: THE LAST STAND moviemaker was scheduled to direct former LAW + ORDER star ANGIE HARMON in the ABC programme, which is being executive produced by JESSICA and ASHLEE SIMPSON's father JOE. Ratner will continue to co-executive produce the show, but is likely to be replaced on directing duties by SCOTT WINANT. Rush Hour 3 is scheduled for release in August (07). 

Rating: 2

I know it's a spring thing -  this fairy print trends and all but the knit top certainly doesn't go very well with this skirt. Angie could have worn a green cotton/spandex scoop neckline jersey tank. 

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Pregnant actress TORI SPELLING is expecting a baby girl with her husband Dean McDermott. The former Beverly Hills, 90210 star revealed this week (begs17Mar08) she was desperate to find out the sex of her unborn child, so she and MCDermott could plan a colour scheme for the tot's nursery. And in the past 24 hours, the pair had the scan that revealed their son Liam will soon have a sister. She says, "I just found out at my ultrasound, and we are so excited. We already have a little man, and now we can have our little girl. I can't wait to get her tons of pink stuff."

Rating: 4

Tori is notoriously cute in her yellow one-shoulder bubble dress with matching black necklace and cute black bow sandals. Definitely worth some sTori telling in the future.

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Former porn star JENNA JAMESON and her wrestler boyfriend TITO ORTIZ are set to raise the dead in a new movie project called ZOMBIE STRIPPERS. The couple will team up with A Nightmare on Elm Street star Robert Englund for the Jay Lee film about an underground Nebraska strip club hit by a deadly virus that reanimates the dead. Jameson plays one of the strippers infected, who turns into a supernatural, flesh-eating zombie - the hit of the club.

Rating: 2

The huge belt made a big difference in her plain strapless number but I still have to find someone who looks good in a dress with ankle boots. It just doesn't look good together.

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Nicky Hilton's fashion show for Nicholai turned into a family affair when a beaming Paris Hilton 27, and her new beau, Benji Madden, took front-row seats next to Paris’ parents, Kathy and Rick. So what do they think of Benji? “He’s great!” the heiress’ proud pop raved to Life & Style at the March 11 event in LA. “He seems like a really nice guy.”

According to a report from the magazine published this week and on newsstands now om seconds that. “If she’s happy, then I’m happy,” Kathy told Life & Style, adding that the rocker is different from Paris’ previous boyfriends. “It’s nice not to have, you know, the spoiled trustfund babies. I like somebody who’s nice, hardworking and down-to-earth.”

Rating: 3

The first thing is aways denial. You never admit you have a  problem because you think you look fabulous wearing size 0 dresses. Eat something woman, you are starting to look like a mom inverted to hang dry. Clothes look good on skinny models but not ones that look twigs and sticks.

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Jessica Alba has filmed a spoof music video to help her fiancé Cash Warren promote his new social networking internet site.

And the 26-year-old has even posted a message on her MySpace Internet page, urging fans to sign up to the new site.

The statement reads: "Hey guys! Hope everyone had a great Easter. It's hot here in socal (South California). Being preggers in this heat takes everything to another level.

"We shot a quirky group lip dub music video for ibeatyou. Check it out!! We invited a bunch of users from the site and put this together last Saturday. Be well guys and check out our music videohope you get a good laugh."

Rating: 3

I like seeing celebrities when they are just out grabbing coffee or going to the grocery because it shows their true fashion sense. I mean, they wouldn't hire a stylist just for that, right?

She knows her colors dark brown and grey to mask the ever growing tummy. She looks simple but still in her cute element. 

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"I never got hired anywhere. I looked 12. They said, 'Honey, people are just gonna laugh when you try to card them (ask for their identification) - they're gonna want to card you." ALYSON HANNIGAN was turned down for a job as a bartender when she couldn't get work as an actress - because she looked too young. During a lean period in her acting career, the 33-year-old Buffy the Vampire Slayer star took a course and tried to get a job pouring drinks at Hollywood hotspots.

Rating: 2

Her keyhole dress reminds me of honey and there isn't really anything sweet about it. Wearing a green clutch didn't do anything to this dress at all.

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