Stores hope stars' luster shines on back-to-school

MAPLEWOOD, Mo. (AP) — Summer Johnson's back-to-school wardrobe includes shiny wet-looking leggings, a tie-dye camisole and basic tees — all part of a new collection by Miley Cyrus and designer Max Azria at Wal-Mart.

Stores are hoping a touch of star quality will inspire back-to-school shoppers — and their parents — to look beyond basics and seek out clothing lines with ties to celebrity actors and singers, from clean-cut Disney shows to the racier "Gossip Girl."

Johnson, a 22-year-old college student from suburban St. Louis, was drawn to the Cyrus collection's rock-star edge and under $20 prices, but the star power didn't hurt.

"Celebrities are great, but I go toward a celebrity line because they're reading up on fashion, teaming up with a good designer," she said. "They know a thing or two about fashion. They're our fashion template."

And the templates abound. A "JONAS" line, inspired by the television show featuring the Jonas Brothers, mixes prep school styles with a rocker twist. A second Disney line based on the show "Wizards of Waverly Place" is being billed as a "boho chic" collection including tunic-length tops with print scarves and miniskirts that draw inspiration from the show's Alex Russo character, who happens to be played by Selena Gomez, the newly named Teen Choice red-carpet fashion icon. They're selling at J.C. Penney, Kmart, Sears, Wal-Mart and Target.

Star power alone won't sustain a successful clothing line.

"I've seen the peaks and valleys of it," said Tina Knowles, the mother of singer and actress Beyonce. Tina Knowles serves as creative director for Dereon, a clothing line that draws from her famous daughter's style. "The celebrity being attached is a plus, but the clothes have to be good quality," she said.

Customers respond to Beyonce, but they come back when they like the fit, style and value, Knowles said.

This fall, the Dereon line includes a Sasha Fierce collection with some back-to-school looks inspired by Beyonce's tougher, alter-ego character.

Not all of it screams classroom, but pieces that would make a splash at school include skinny jeans, a houndstooth-print jacket and a lightweight leather jacket that Knowles calls one of her favorites. Sasha Fierce items sell for $25 to $125, and are currently available at some specialty retailers and about 100 Macy's Inc. stores.