A Fashion Daredevil Reveals Another Side to Herself

It’s official: Jennifer Lopez is bringing her style to the street. At a press conference at the St. Regis Hotel here Thursday, she announced plans to design a line of women’s clothing titled (what else?) J.Lo by Jennifer Lopez.

The singer, whose second album “J.Lo” was a chart-topping hit earlier this year, said, “Like my childhood dreams of acting, singing and dancing, fashion is a natural extension of what I think is my artistic expression.”

Lopez is partnering with Andy Hilfiger, the 39-year-old younger brother of designer Tommy Hilfiger, and Larry Stemmerman to form Sweetface Fashions to market and sell the line, which is to be in department and specialty stores in time for the holiday season.

Andy Hilfiger, who started a record label with Quincy Jones in 1999, is vice president of public relations for Tommy Hilfiger. The younger Hilfiger, who will act as the creative liaison, reportedly has been in talks with Britney Spears about starting her own clothing line.

Stemmerman is a fashion veteran who has been with Tommy Hilfiger since he opened his first boutique, People’s Place, in Elmira, N.Y., in 1969. Future plans for Sweetface Fashions include licensing J.Lo fragrances, accessories, eyewear and swimwear.

Lopez is the latest to make a music-fashion connection. Since Jerry Garcia launched his strong-selling tie collection 10 years ago, dozens of pop stars have jumped on the fashion bandwagon, including Lopez’s ex, rap mogul P. Diddy. Look out, word has it J.Lo is interested in staging her own blockbuster fashion show in New York too.