As Victoria Beckham confirms her fashion and beauty brand has finally shown a profit… a look at other celebrity brands which didn’t take off from Rihanna to Kim Kardashian

Victoria Beckham recently confirmed that her fashion and beauty brand has finally showed a profit this year.

The fashion designer, 49, founded her business in 2008 and it has borrowed £30million from other parts of the Beckham empire over the years.

However, it now appears to be taking off and Victoria told Vogue France how it has finally made a profit after years of hard work.

‘It’s such an exciting time. This year, we made a profit! This takes time, especially for an independent brand, she said of her brand. ‘Now that I have laid down the groundwork for the house, the real work can begin.’

But it wasn’t always smooth-sailing for Victoria’s brand and MailOnline takes a look at other celebrity businesses which failed to get off the ground.

In the money: Victoria Beckham, 49, recently confirmed that her fashion and beauty brand has finally showed a profit this year after borrowing £30million from other parts of the Beckham empire over the years.

Swing and a miss: But it wasn’t always smooth-sailing for Victoria’s brand and MailOnline takes a look at other celebrity businesses which failed to get off the ground (Kim Kardashian pictured)

RIHANNA – FENTY CLOTHING

While Rihanna has found huge success with Fenty Beauty and her Savage X Fenty lingerie line, which are still thriving now, however her Fenty clothing line was closed down.

It took the world by storm in 2019, however the fashion line stopped production just two years later in 2021 amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Fenty – named after the Umbrella hitmaker’s full name, Robyn Rihanna Fenty – was meant to build on the singer’s joint cosmetics venture with LVMH, with a full range of clothing, shoes and accessories.

But the line was pricey – nearly $1,000 for a padded denim jacket and $810 for a corseted shirtdress – and failed to generate as much interest as her other lines.

LVMH and Rihanna said in a statement at the time: ‘LVMH and Rihanna reaffirm their ambition to concentrate on the growth and the long-term development of Fenty ecosystem focusing on cosmetics, skincare and lingerie.

Rare failure: While Rihanna has found huge success with Fenty Beauty and her Savage X Fenty lingerie line, her Fenty clothing line was closed down (pictured in 2019)

Strut: It took the world by storm in 2019, however the fashion line stopped production just two years later in 2021 amid the Covid-19 pandemic  (2022 Savage X Fenty show pictured)

Global: Fenty – named after the Umbrella hitmaker’s full name, Robyn Rihanna Fenty – was meant to build on the singer’s still thriving joint cosmetics venture (pictured) with LVMH, with a full range of clothing, shoes and accessories 

KIM KARDASHIAN –  THE KARDASHIAN KARD

 Kim Kardashian and her sisters Kourtney and Khloé helped launch their own pre-paid credit card in 2008, dubbed the The Kardashian Kard.

Aimed at teens it featured the trio’s faces with the sisters saying at the time they were ‘excited’ by the venture. 

However things quickly turned sour after consumer advocates complained of the card’s extremely high fees, and the Kardashian sisters quickly came under attack for aiming the product at young adults. 

Less than a month after the launch of the card Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal said that the card’s fees were ‘predatory.’

Bomb: Kim Kardashian (R) and her sisters Kourtney (L) and Khloé (C) helped launch their own pre-paid credit card in 2008 (pictured) which was dubbed the The Kardashian Kard

Controvesy: Things quickly turned sour after consumer advocates complained of the card’s extremely high fees, and the Kardashian sisters quickly came under attack for aiming the product at young adults

Tough times: The sisters, who claimed to be unaware of the hidden charges, were sued by the company $75M for claiming they were to blame for the card’s failure (Kim pictured in 2011)

Blumenthal described the Kardashian Kard as ‘filled with gotcha fees and charges, such as $99.95 annual fees, $7.95 monthly fees…ATM withdrawal fees, bill pay fees.

The sisters, who claimed to be unaware of the hidden charges, were sued by the company $75M for claiming they were to blame for the card’s failure.

However the reality stars managed to prove their innocence and won the lawsuit. 

BLAKE LIVELY – PRESERVE

Blake Lively launched Preserve, a digital magazine and e-commerce website, back in 2014 but the project closed soon afterwards.

The website featured a wide array of handmade one-of-a-kind items all selected by Blake herself.

However, she closed the lifestyle website after just one year and told Vogue at the time that she didn’t want to continue putting something out that wasn’t ‘the best’.

She also said on Instagram at the time: ‘Thank you guys for your support every step of the way in the @preserve_us adventure. I couldn’t be more grateful!!’

After its closure, Blake said she was going to ‘come back with a plan that will rock people’, but has never brought back the website.

Gutted: Blake Lively launched Preserve, a digital magazine and e-commerce website, back in 2014 but the project closed soon afterwards

Business mogul: The website featured a wide array of handmade one-of-a-kind items all selected by Blake herself

Early exit: However, she closed the lifestyle website after just one year and told Vogue at the time that she didn’t want to continue putting something out that wasn’t ‘the best’

BRITNEY SPEARS – NYLA 

Songstress Britney Spears ventured into hospitality and launched her own restaurant in New York back in 2002, only to close down shortly after. 

Despite hoping to impress diners with a cajun inspired menu, it received poor reviews and multiple health violations

According to New York Magazine the venture was doomed from the start finding itself $350,000 despite only making $1,900 on during it’s big opening.

Following the closer the hitmaker released a statement which read: ‘Britney Spears has severed all involvement with the Manhattan restaurant Nyla and the company which operates Nyla’. 

‘Spears believes that she has been let no alternative other than to terminate her relationship with Nyla as a result of management’s failure to keep her fully apprised of information relating to the restaurant and its operations’.

Venturing out: Songstress Britney Spears ventured into hospitality and launched her own restaurant in New York back in 2002, only to close down shortly after

Unimpressed: Despite hoping to impress diners with a cajun inspired menu, it received poor reviews and multiple health violations

EVA LONGORIA – SHE 

Desperate Housewives Eva Longoria followed in Britney’s footsteps in 2013 by launching her own steakhouse, only to suffer a similar fate.

Aimed solely at woman, SHe Steakhouse in Las Vegas closed it’s doors in 2014 after after being shut down by the health department.

The bizarre concept featured dessert menu’s with mirrors for diners to reapply their make-ups as well as sexist portion sizes labeled ‘He-Cuts’ and ‘She-Cuts’.

Health inspectors found 32 food safety violations, mostly related to keeping food at proper temperatures and maintaining accurate thermometers. 

Before this, Eva launched SHe, a women-centred night club, which closed after seven weeks in February 2013.

Flopped: Desperate Housewives Eva Longoria followed in Britney’s footsteps in 2013 by launching her own steakhouse, only to suffer a similar fate

Bye! Aimed solely at woman, SHe Steakhouse in Las Vegas closed it’s doors in 2014 after after being shut down by the health department

Gross: Health inspectors found 32 food safety violations, mostly related to keeping food at proper temperatures and maintaining accurate thermometers

JAMIE OLIVER – JAMIE’S ITALIAN

Jamie Oliver’s Italian restaurant chain, which he opened in 2009, had 42 restaurants at its peak, but it has since collapsed.

Jamie’s Italian went bust in May 2019 after profits plunged and customers stayed away, with 22 outlets closing and about 1,000 jobs axed.

The spectacular downfall of the father-of-five’s business empire left the Italian food company owing around £83million.

Speaking in 2022 about the crushing collapse of his beloved restaurant chain, the TV personality said: ‘It happens, and I would call it a minor blip really, in the vision and the dream. A very painful one. But definitely, I’m better for it. 

‘We had 13 amazing years and learned loads. I was a young man when I started, I’m much older and wiser now.’ 

Downfall: Jamie Oliver’s Italian restaurant chain, which he opened in 2009, had 42 restaurants at its peak, but it collapsed in 2019, with 22 outlets closing and about 1,000 jobs axed

Fall from grace: The spectacular downfall of the father-of-five’s business empire left the Italian food company owing around £83million

Asked whether or not he had learned from the closure of his chain, the TV personality said: ‘Yeah, for sure, and every other failure that I’ve had – which is about 50 per cent. But I’ve never been more rounded, I’ve never been more experienced.’

Meanwhile, Jamie’s last Australian restaurant closed down last month while still owing $1million.

Jamie Oliver Pizzeria at Pacific Fair went into voluntary administration after four years in the Gold Coast location. It was the first of the famous British chef’s restaurants to open in Australia.

Hallmark Hospitality Group – the owners of the restaurant – told administrators it had just $7,336 in the bank when it closed shop.

They had accumulated just over $1million in debt including $91,000 in rent and $915,00 owed to other parties.

NATALIE PORTMAN – VEGAN FOOTWEAR 

Natalie Portman has long been an advocate for animal rights and collaborated with designer Te Casan to launch a vegan footwear range.

The vegan-friendly footwear line launched back in 2008, with all of the designs being animal-friendly and cruelty-free.

As well as working to create the brand, Natalie was also at the forefront of the campaign and modelled some of her designs for their collection.

Natalie said of her collection at the time: ‘As a vegan, it’s been challenging finding designer shoes made of alternative materials. This collection offers a great selection without compromising quality or style.’

However, Natalie’s footwear line unfortunately didn’t last as Te Casan shut down just months later at the end of 2008.

Despite her footwear line not taking off, Natalie is still passionate about animal rights and hasn’t worn any clothes using animal products in 20 years. 

‘I haven’t bought or used any leather or fur or animal products in 20 years,’ she recently revealed.

‘I buy vintage clothes, and only if absolutely necessary, and of course repair damaged items.’ 

Fashion: Natalie Portman has long been an advocate for animal rights and collaborated with designer Te Casan to launch a vegan footwear range, however the company later closed 

JENNIFER LOPEZ – MADRE’S 

Jennifer Lopez opened a Latin restaurant called Madre’s, which is Spanish for mother, in Pasadena, California, back in 2002.

The menu celebrated her Puerto Rican heritage and focused on the Latin food which the singer enjoyed growing up.

Despite a star-studded opening, the restaurant received lacklustre reviews, with one critic describing some of the main courses as close to inedible.

However, Jennifer’s foray into the restaurant world wasn’t to last as Madre’s then closed in 2008.

Eaterie: Jennifer Lopez opened a Latin restaurant called Madre’s, which is Spanish for mother, in Pasadena, California, back in 2002, but it shut just years later in 2008

ADAM WOODYATT – DISTILLERY  

Adam Woodyatt set up an alcohol brand Neat Distillery in 2017, however it was reported by The Sun earlier this year that he has closed the business.

The brand’s website www.neatgin.com is no longer active, and the last post on its Facebook page was in February 2019, with no further activity since then.

Neat Distillery Ltd’s accounts, filed to Companies House in May, showed the company to be £13,895 in debt, similar to figures filed the year before.

The company, which Adam ran with his ex-wife Beverley Sharp, is still listed as active on Companies House.

Their own gin recipe sold for £39.95 a bottle and Ian shared his excitement not long after launching the firm back in 2017.

Soon after launching the gin firm, Ian said he was building up a strong distribution network, saying: ‘We have managed to build up quite a diverse list of outlets and distribution from entertainment, bars, fine dining to music clubs.’

But he did admit a lot of those stocking the wine were his pals adding: ‘Most places have taken it because I know the owners or people that work there, like Jenever and Tom Kerridge, and places that eat and drink at or theatre owners that I know.’ 

Alcohol venture: Adam Woodyatt set up an alcohol brand Neat Distillery in 2017, however it was reported by The Sun earlier this year that he has closed the business 

STEVEN SPIELBERG – DIVE!

Steven Spielberg opened a submarine-themed restaurant called Dive! in the mid-90s in Los Angeles.

The director and Dreamworks CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg launched the unique eaterie in the shape of a neon-yellow submersible, and a second restaurant soon followed.

Despite its early success, they failed to keep the venues afloat and the flagship Los Angeles restaurant closed in 1999.

The second restaurant, located in the Fashion Show mall in Las Vegas, closed down soon afterwards.

Closed: Steven Spielberg (pictured in November) opened a submarine-themed restaurant called Dive! in the mid-90s in Los Angeles

Quirky! The director and Dreamworks CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg had launched the unique eaterie in the shape of a neon-yellow submersible

ADAM THOMAS – THE SPINN

Adam Thomas launched The Spinn in Gatley, Manchester with friend Scott Graham in 2019, followed by a bar and burger sauce company.

However, the restaurant suffered a setback due to the Covid lockdowns in the pandemic and it went bust this year after racking up debts of nearly £300,000.  

The actor, 34, resigned from his role of director in April 2022 and announced the closure of the restaurant, which employed a team of 12, in September of that year.

The business firm Gatley Bar and Grill Ltd was formally put into administration in July, with debts of £293,996, including £71,423 owed to the tax man, The Sun reported.

Adam announced the closure of his restaurant in September. 

He said: ‘Unfortunately we have decided to close The Spinn. We did what we had to do with The Spinn and we learnt so much building our first venture and more importantly we had an absolute blast.

‘But after 3 years we felt the time was right for us to move on. We are now focusing on the next chapter of The Spinn … The Spinn off [bar] and Oh My Glaze [burger sauce company]. 

Didn’t work out: Adam Thomas launched The Spinn in Manchester with friend Scott Graham in 2019, but the business firm Gatley Bar and Grill Ltd was formally put into administration in July

He added: ‘Thanks again to everyone who has supported us along the way and continues to support us and to all our staff who we will continue to take on this journey with us.’

Speaking about the venture back in 2019, Adam told I Love Manchester: ‘We’ve [himself and pal Scott] been wanting to do this for years, even when we were at school we talked about opening our own place’.

‘We found a location that we fell in love with, and so when we were on a bit of a night out and ended up in a casino, we said we’d do a spin on the roulette and if we win we’ll go for it. 

‘We didn’t win much money – it was more the significance of the bet to finally do this and it gave us that last push. That’s why we’ve named the restaurant The Spinn.’

BEVERLEY CALLARD – COMPANY

Coronation Street’s Beverley Callard set up her personal services company JMBJ Ltd in 2020 after securing her bumper salary to be in I’m A Celebrity.

However, in May this year, it was revealed that her company had been liquidated, three years after she bagged a rumoured £125,000 fee to star on I’m A Celebrity.

The firm has gone bust and accounts show it is £215,677 in debt, and on April 13, the company was voluntary liquidated.

Documents on Companies House reveal it was £114,124 overdrawn at the time of closure, after Beverley and her husband Jon McEwan took out director’s loans. 

It owed £51,450 VAT to HMRC, £47,319 corporation tax and £2,784 to two trade creditors – meaning in total the account was £215, 677 in debt at the time of liquidation.  

I’m A Celeb: The Coronation Street star, 66, who is best known as Liz McDonald on the soap, set up JMBJ Ltd in 2020 after securing her bumper salary to be in the ITV2 show

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