The ladies chatted with Style.com about launching the website, choosing the design team to create it, the philosophy behind it and more.

They really wanted a simple and sophisticated website, as MK tells Style.com:

We looked at a lot of different Web sites before we started working on our own, and we thought most of them were too loud. We wanted The Row Web site to be subdued and very direct. I think that has been a philosophy behind The Row ever since we started the line

The interview is brief, but it’s interesting because it’s about something completely new and different! Read the complete interview here.

Image: Newcom

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The website design is dark and simple. However it’s flash-based, which is unnecessary and cane be annoying. I’m just glad that the Row is finally becoming more accessible to everyone. It’s been such an elusive and private line.

Screenshot via therow.com

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Time and date have yet to be confirmed, but Ashley told WWD that she and MK were pleased “to have our first presentation in New York.”

This is such a big step for their label and for the girls as fashion designers. A presentation seems more in line with the Row’s customer base and vision (not to mention it’s the trendier way to present clothing these days), but I’d love to see MK and Ashley do a grand old-school fashion show.

Image: INF

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It’s a very chic and sophisticated collection from Mary-Kate and Ashley, which will surely appeal to the Row’s already dedicated customer base.

I can’t post the photos here, but you can check out the slideshow at WWD.

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The Spring 2010 collection features what the Row is now known for – classic, luxe basics. Sweaters, blazers and pencil skirts dominate the tribal-themed shoot. It’s luxe, lush and very practical. The woman who wears these clothes loves fashion but is very no-nonense.

I can’t post the photos here, but check them out at Supre Management.

Image: Newscom

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The first collection will features four different styles: a classic metal aviator, an oversize square frame, vintage-inspired brow-line rims and a pair of ’60s-inspired round shades.

The Row is entering into the sunglasses market cautiously and will look to expand if this inaugural capsule collection is a success.

“We’re testing the market first and obviously these are four very different silhouettes, so we’re seeing what people are responding to and we’ll open up a couple more silhouettes for fall,” Ashley said. “We tried to find certain pieces that look good on more than one face, to pay close attention to how they fit certain faces and make them wearable at the same time.”

Mary-Kate admits that designing sunglasses was a lot harder than the girls initially thought!

“Designing eyewear was definitely more complicated than we thought, and of course we wanted to be extremely hands-on,” said Mary-Kate. “From what I understand, the first year with eyewear is figuring out what the process will be like for us specifically. I think everyone does it differently, whether it’s looking through old materials or archives or working with drawings and measurements.”

WWD had a sneak peek of two of the styles. Check them out here. I think they’re great-looking, but are a bit expensive for my tastes. Here’s hoping Elizabeth and James comes out with sunglasses at a lower price point!

Image: Newscom

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Mary-Kate is wearing a blue tweed jacket I’ve seen Ashley in before with leather motorcycle pants from the Row.

The party was held in a private suite at Bergdorf Goodman. Several fashion industry people came out to see the collection, including Rachel Zoe’s assistant, Brad Goreski! I wonder if this means we’ll see some pieces from the Row on Rachel’s clients.

Image: Newscom

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Ashley wore the Weatherby Dress. I love the neckline and cut of this dress. It’s sexy without revealing too much and so sophisticated!

It’s available at Zoe Online for $950. Ashley paired the dress with her Prada Studded Sandals, which are available for $720 from Barneys.

Her sunglasses are Ralph Lauren 8026s in tortoiseshell. She also wore these sunglasses when traveling from Toronto to Tokyo.

These sunglasses are available from Decor My Eyes for $169.99.

Images: Zoe Online | Decor My Eyes

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I love, love, love both girls looks! Ashley is minimalistic perfection again in a body conscious black dress, beige trench and her Prada Studded T-Strap sandals. MK went for a quirky look that fits perfectly into the Tokyo fashion scene with an embellished black dress, structured jacket and her Prada Python Patchwork Sandals.

I’m not loving either girls’ crimped hair, but the bunny ears are way too cute!

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Both Elizabeth and James and the Row are expected to grow rapidly in the coming year. This success both perplexes and astonishes industry experts, but everyone from buyers to critics to other designers have immense respect for what Mary-Kate and Ashley have done. They’ve built not one, but two successful clothing lines that are bolstered by their celebrity name without detracting customers who aren’t fans of the girls.

“The customer who buys the clothes almost never knows we’re involved,” Ashley said.

Store owners concur. “I don’t think anybody really cares that it’s Mary-Kate and Ashley’s collection,” Julie Gilhart of Barneys New York said. “They’re buying it because they like it.”

The article is interesting because it truly addresses Mary-Kate and Ashley for what they are today – designers and businesswomen. We also learn Mary-Kate hates tank tops! I never knew that!

You can read the entire article here.

Image: Newscom

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