Evolution of Style: Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen's Timeless Fashion Journey
From child stars on 'Full House' to fashion moguls, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen have captivated the world with their style Take a journey through their iconic looks and memorable moments throughout the years
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen have become ubiquitous figures in the entertainment industry. The fraternal twins initially gained fame as child actresses, taking turns portraying the beloved Michelle Tanner on Full House for eight seasons. As they continued to charm audiences, they ventured into the film industry with their own projects such as Double, Double, Toil and Trouble and How the West Was Fun. However, it wasn't long before the dynamic duo became known for their fashion prowess and launched successful fashion labels.
They gained popularity and success in their acting careers, starring in various movies such as It Takes Two, Passport to Paris, Our Lips Are Sealed, Holiday in the Sun and So Little Time. Their last joint venture in the film industry was the movie New York Minute, which premiered in 2004. The Olsen twins then decided to shift their focus to fashion design and launched their own brands, The Row in 2006 and Elizabeth and James in 2007. This move allowed them to step away from the public eye and lead a more private life.
The Olsen twins have maintained a low profile in the media and haven't given many interviews. However, in 2018, they broke their silence and spoke to WSJ. Magazine about their unique partnership. Ashley compared their relationship to a marriage, stating that they have been learning how to communicate effectively for 32 years. Despite experiencing ups and downs, the siblings have remained close and successful in their ventures.
"We do everything together," said Mary-Kate while Ashley added that they have been like that since they were born. Ashley also explained that they prefer to let their work speak for itself, stating that they are not product pushers. She attributed this to their upbringing and shared that they simply do not enjoy talking about themselves or their projects.
After marrying Olivier Sarkozy in 2015, Mary-Kate has embraced a quieter personal life. According to an interview with Net-a-Porter's The Edit in 2017, she and Ashley naturally have a strong work ethic and don't require much time to think or reflect. However, her personal life includes being a wife, stepmother, and horse rider, which helps her find relaxation and balance. Mary-Kate emphasizes the importance of finding a way to unwind, as burnout can lead to decreased productivity. In May 2020, news broke of her split from the banker, but it was reported that she had protected her business interests and fortune with an "ironclad prenup." The finalization of their divorce occurred in January 2021.
From TV to the red carpet, scroll through the gallery below to see photos of the twins over the years.
Credit: Taylor Hill/FilmMagic; Jim Spellman/WireImage; James Devaney/WireImage;Jason Kempin/FilmMagic
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen Through the Years
The Olsens have become ubiquitous in the entertainment industry. Having started out as child actresses, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen have since taken the fashion world by storm. They gained fame by alternating in the role of Michelle Tanner on the popular TV show, Full House, from 1987 to 1995. In addition to winning over fans on the beloved sitcom, the fraternal twins also starred in their own movies, such as Double, Double, Toil and Trouble and How the West Was Fun.
They expanded their careers from acting to fashion design as their following grew. They founded The Row in 2006 and Elizabeth and James in 2007, ultimately retiring from acting to gain more privacy. Their roles in It Takes Two, Passport to Paris, Our Lips Are Sealed, Holiday in the Sun, and So Little Time culminated in their final joint movie, New York Minute, which debuted in 2004.
The Olsen twins are known for keeping a low profile and avoiding interviews, but in 2018 they broke their silence and spoke with WSJ. Magazine about their long-standing partnership. Ashley described their connection as being similar to a marriage, with over three decades of learning how to effectively communicate with each other. Despite the inevitable ups and downs, their bond has stood the test of time.
Mary-Kate and Ashley have an inseparable bond, having been close since birth. When asked about their success and why they choose not to promote their products heavily, Ashley shared that they prefer to let their work speak for itself. They attribute their humble approach to their upbringing and simply don't like talking about themselves or what they're doing.
After tying the knot with Olivier Sarkozy in November 2015, Mary-Kate settled into a quiet personal life. Despite their natural tendency to work hard, Mary-Kate and Ashley still make time for their personal lives. However, Mary-Kate also has responsibilities at home as a wife, stepmother, and horse rider. She emphasizes the importance of finding ways to relax in order to avoid burnout and maintain productivity. Following news of her split from the banker, Mary-Kate's "ironclad prenup" protected her business interests and fortune during the divorce, which was finalized in January 2021.
From TV to the red carpet, scroll through the gallery below to see photos of the twins over the years.
Credit: ABC PHOTO ARCHIVES
September 22, 1987
Playing Michelle Tanner, the twins began their eight-season run on Full House opposite Bob Saget, Jodie Sweetin, Candace Cameron Bure, John Stamos and Dave Coulier.
Credit: ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty
June 19, 1991
The two posed together in a promo shoot for Full House.
Credit: ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images
January 1, 1992
The twin siblings were cast as the lead in a number of direct-to-video movies during their childhood. These films were highly successful and included titles such as To Grandmother's House We Go, Double, Double, Toil and Trouble, How the West Was Fun, Billboard Dad, Passport to Paris, Winning London, Holiday in the Sun and When in Rome.
Credit: ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images
March 31, 1993
Mary-Kate has emphasized that both her and her sister's personal lives have been just as fulfilling as their professional ones. One example of this is their dedication to education, having made it their top priority throughout their lives and attending school with peers of their own age.
Credit: Jim Spellman/WireImage
April 25, 1997
Dressed in matching outfits, the Olsens attended the Audrey Hepburn Hollywood for Children Family Film Festival.
Credit: Barbara Binstein/NGI/Getty
July 14, 2001
After Full House ended, the twins returned to the small screen with the Fox Family Channel series So Little Time; it lasted just one season.
Credit: James Devaney/WireImage
October 9, 2003
Mary-Kate and Ashley starred as twin sisters in their 2004 movie, New York Minute, marking their return to the big screen after nearly a decade since their last theatrical release, It Takes Two.
Credit: Chris Polk/FilmMagic
April 3, 2004
The former child stars got slimed on stage during Nickelodeon's 17th Annual Kids' Choice Awards in Westwood, California.
Credit: Gregg DeGuire/WireImage
April 29, 2004
After more than a decade in show business, the twins were honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Later that year, Mary-Kate entered treatment for anorexia.
Credit: ImageActive/WireImage
June 11, 2004
The Olsen twins, known for their iconic roles in Full House, opted out of prom to host Saturday Night Live. They completed their high school education at Campbell Hall in North Hollywood, California before enrolling in New York University a few months later.
Credit: Dani Abramowicz/FilmMagic
February 19, 2006
The Olsen twins hosted the Total Girl Fashion Launch event held at Luna Park in Sydney, Australia. With their own successful fashion lines such as The Row, Elizabeth and James, and Olsenboye, the twins were the perfect choice to emcee the event.
Credit: Jason Kempin/FilmMagic
February 7, 2007
Blonde beauties! The twins looked glam as they sat front row during the Fall 2007 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York City.
Credit: Tony Barson/WireImage
February 29, 2008
Wearing their trademark oversized sunglasses, Mary-Kate and Ashley attended the Chanel fashion show during Paris Fashion Week.
Credit: Jim Spellman/WireImage
November 12, 2008
The book Influence, written by the sisters, includes insightful interviews with renowned fashion designers such as Diane von Furstenberg and Karl Lagerfeld, as well as other notable photographers, celebrities, and business executives.
Credit: Larry Busacca/Getty Images
June 6, 2011
Mary-Kate and Ashley were nominated for the Swarovski Award for Womenswear at the prestigious CFDA Awards; they lost out to designer Prabal Gurung.
Credit: Jamie McCarthy/WireImage
October 5, 2011
The twin sisters graced the NYLON & AX Armani Exchange Private Dinner in New York City, accompanied by none other than their renowned sibling, Elizabeth Olsen from Avengers: Age of Ultron.
Credit:
November 15, 2011
The stunning duo was crowned Vogue's Most Stylish siblings, surpassing other notable sisters like Kate and Pippa Middleton (No. 9) and Beyoncé and Solange Knowles (No. 7). Additionally, they were recognized as fashion icons by TIME in April 2012.
Credit: Kevin Mazur/WireImage
May 7, 2012
Mary-Kate made a bold statement at the Met Gala in New York City with her platinum blonde hair styled in a messy bun and a stunning oversized black satin gown.
Credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images; Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
June 4, 2012
Mary-Kate made a bold change by opting for a darker hair color at the CFDA Awards held in New York City. Along with her sister, who also sported black attire, they both let their locks flow freely.
Credit: Larry Busacca/Getty Images; Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
May 6, 2013
The arrival of spring brought with it a dazzling display of fashion at the Chaos to Couture-themed Met Gala. Ashley made a bold statement in a stunning orange Christian Dior Haute Couture gown, while Mary-Kate turned heads in a vintage Balmain jacket.
Credit: James Devaney/WireImage
May 16, 2013
The two women, both wearing stylish shades, were spotted at the New York Knicks vs. Indiana Pacers game held at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Later, the duo revealed their luxurious fur backpack worth $16,900, which was launched as part of their fashion line, The Row.
Credit:
April 25, 2014
The Olsen twins recently made a guest appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show where they played a game of fun facts about each other. Surprisingly, Mary-Kate was revealed to have been the first one to kiss a boy and to be the better dancer between the two. Just a couple of months prior to this, it was announced by Us Weekly that Mary-Kate had gotten engaged to Olivier Sarkozy.
Credit: Kevin Mazur/WireImage
May 5, 2014
Another glamorous night! The gals hit up Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute Gala and were spotted mingling with David and Victoria Beckham once inside.
Credit: Taylor Hill/FilmMagic
May 5, 2015
They opted to wear matching black outfits for the highly-anticipated Met Gala event. However, around the same time, it was announced that they wouldn't be appearing in the Fuller House reboot on Netflix. Upon hearing the news, their former co-star John Stamos expressed his disappointment on Twitter, saying, "Heartbroken. I understand they're in a different place and I wish them the best. I promise you will not be disappointed with our reunion and spinoff!!"
Credit: Neil Rasmus/BFA/REX/Shutterstock
June 6, 2016
The famous twins coordinated in black as they attended the CFDA Fashion Awards at Lincoln Center in New York City. On June 13, they celebrated their 30th birthday.
Credit: Stephen d'Antal/MEGA
February 25, 2017
Chicest bridesmaids ever! The twins served as bridesmaids at their friends Maggie Kayne and Travis Hayden’s wedding in Mangawhai, New Zealand, on February 25, 2017.
Credit: Kevin Mazur/WireImage.com
May 1, 2017
The fashion-forward Olsen twins made an appearance at the Met Gala in New York City on May 1, 2017, where the theme was Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art Of The In-Between. The stylish duo displayed their undeniable passion and admiration for the fashion industry.
Credit: Taylor Hill/FilmMagic
June 5, 2017
Ashley and Mary-Kate graced the 2017 CFDA Fashion Awards with their impeccable style, showcasing their brand The Row. On June 5, 2017, the talented sisters were in the running for the Accessories Designer of the Year Award, an accolade they previously won in 2014.
Credit: Frazer Harrison/FilmMagic
May 7, 2018
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen made a stunning appearance at the Met Gala, which had a Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination theme. Mary-Kate looked chic in an all-black off-the-shoulder outfit while Ashley opted for a striking red, black, and bronze gown.
Credit: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images
May 6, 2019
Mary-Kate and Ashley twinned in vintage Chanel black leather dresses at the Camp: Notes on Fashion-themed Met Gala.
Credit: Courtesy of Rob Latour/Shutterstock
September 2021
At the YES 20th Anniversary Celebration held at The Maybourne Beverly Hills in Los Angeles, Ashley graced the red carpet for the first time in years. Accompanied by her husband Louis Eisner, the fashion designer made a stunning appearance at the annual event, without her twin.
