The Rise and Fall of L.A.M.B. by Gwen Stefani 

I was an am a huge Gwen Stefani fan but the issue I had with her line was that it was a direct knockoff of John Galliano's signature line and his work for Dior. Vera Wang commended at the time that celebs get fashion cred by requesting pulls from the designers for free and than knock off those same designs they borrowed for free, in their own lines.

“In 2004, Debbie Shuchat worked with Air Canada to design new uniforms for its flight crews and airport employees. American pop singer Gwen Stefani also hired Shuchat to be the artistic director of her L.A.M.B. ready-to-wear brand. “ I interned in that office for 2 days in 2012 before I was fired because I couldn’t figure out the printer. But there were 3 VERY STRESSED OUT fashion designers ( not Gwen ) there . Designers and staff …I were told later, Shuchat allegedly made acry all the time there…by my fashion school professors. In my experience Debbie wasn’t nice at all and made me cry. Most toxic experience ever I had ….. I wish that when celebs sign off on a line, they make sure that the office/studio they pick has a healthy work culture/ environment. Because I can see how no creativity flourished there

I was that target Stefani fan. I lived in San Francisco at the time, and I could not find L.A.M.B except for a very select few lesportsac bags in Nordstrom, etc. I think there was interest, but I NEVER saw the products in the stores, and it almost became an urban legend that the L.A.M.B brand even existed…

another great deep dive ❤ I bought a pair of L.A.M.B. heels back when the hype was strong. They were beautiful to look at….and utterly horrifying to wear!

I was obsessed with LAMB when it fist came out. I couldn’t afford it at the time because the purse I really wanted was like $300. I was recently on Poshmark and that same LAMB purse came up on my feed! The purse is still sellin for the same price. Idk if it’s nostalgia or because they’re in good condition after so many years but now that I can afford it it seems crazy to pay that much for a nylon purse.

I'm just gonna share my opinion, you can agree or not, but I vividly remember Gwen saying that the Harajuku girls came to her in one of her dreams and when asked about them in interviews she often replied with "what? you can see them too?", so I guess that was the point of them not speaking, not because white supremacy over another culture, but because they were meant to be "a vision" so on another level not the interactive one (if that make sense). I can totally understand how this Harajuku girls thing is seen now (in 2024), but I also do remember the amount of respect she had for the Japanese culture, how much she was thrilled to visit japan everytime, the street culture in areas like Harajuku etc, and she made us aware of that scene (back in the days, early early internet) so we started digging and being fascinated too thanks to her. So yea, I get how this period of her creative journey is seen now, but she did put some respect above all on Japanese culture, I think some points are missed if we reduce everything with "appropriation" cause this was a little different, more layered and nuanced

Gwen's L.A.M.B. and Eve's Fetishh were all over the place in the 2000s.

It was also EXTREMELY hard to find the specific items desired! ….and I’m speaking as a woman who grew up in NYC. 😐🗽 Maybe a flagship store would have helped. The BabyPhat/PhatFarm store on Canal was EVERYTHING!

I honestly forgot about L.A.M.B but now seeing it I remember how much it shaped what I thought fashion was as a kid. I thought Gwen Stefani was so cool, but I was so young I had no idea about all the cultural appropriation or style knockoffs she was doing. I knew about the former coming into this video but I didn’t know about the line’s controversy. Thanks for another great documentary!

My husband lived in Japan for several years as an ESL teacher. He noted that the Japanese culture is ok-ish with other non-Japanese people exploring the dress, food, and rituals. They have tea ceremonies and theater/music performances that they want to share with people. But, this did not feel like that. They appeared; as an American who used to like Gwen's music, they were human accessories. I didn't know the ladies were not allowed to even speak English. Whew!

Omg. Childhood memory unlocked. I had the Love perfume bottle. I adored different asian cultures growing up and i remember that bottle so vividly. I thought i was mad that i couldnt remember what it was from. I never used it. Just loved the girl on it.

the biggest surprise for me is that this was considered a luxury brand - I vaguely recall her brand as sort of "on trend" brand mentioned in Bravo and carrying Bratz doll aesthetic...

I was a consumer of LAMB somewhere around 2004/05/06. I owned several pieces - sweatpants with the logo printed all over, a jamaican inspired zip sweater, a green tshirt with the lamb logo, among other pieces. I was at the end of high school, a rocker kid at heart, with access to a recent small inheritenace, and obsessed with high fashion - particularly, Galliano's work. Seems by your video's assessment that I was the exact target audience, even though that was never particuarly nailed down by the brand. I never made the connection between Galliano and LAMB, so I found it fascinating to hear you connect the two in this video. I purchased my LAMB pieces at the Holt Renfrew on Bloor Street in Toronto - a high end luxury department store. At the time, this was one of the only shops in Toronto where you could purchase high fashion pieces. And I recall LAMB being located in the area of the store where there were more "junior" pieces and denim, as opposed to other areas of the store which were dedicated to high fashion brands like Chanel, Dior, etc. I also recall purchasing some pieces from Aritzia. Yes, back then, Aritzia was a popular boutique in Canada which sold pricier items from other brands alongisde their own TNA label. Some of those brands included True Religion, Rock n Republic, Junk Food tees, and they even sold books and CDs back then. They were like Canada's Kitson. This era of fashion and music, I believe, was the gateway into the blingy-leopard print-heavy era of 2005-09 --- think Jersey Shore, loud logos and prints, pink pink pink, blinged out victoria beckham jeans, etc.

Gwen Stefani stole the shoes off my friend's feet! My friend is from Tokyo and Gwen stopped her on the street, told her she was filming a music video and asked her if she could borrow her shoes for a few scenes. My friend lent her the shoes and Gwen never gave them back. My friend had to make her way home shoeless. I think that tells you everything you need to know about Gwen Stefani.

Great work and deep dive. Thank you for crediting our image of the 2005 L.A.M.B t-shirt!

I forgot all about LAMB. I think the best style Gwen Stefani showcased was the video Cool. Everyone in that video looked fantastic. It had a late 40’s/early 50’s with a 21st century twist. I wanted every piece from that video.

what a FANTASTIC CHANNEL! i never ever ever ever ever thought a history of GS's fashion line would be interesting but this is riveting. like high likely to rewatch. kinda mind blown

I can’t wait for someone in the future to make a video called “The Rise and Rise of Understitch.” 👏🏾 Don’t forget us when you hit 1M. ❤

That perfume was one of my best friends favourites. She was so upset when it was discontinued.

Her L.A.M.B. fragrance was a blind buy at T.J. Maxx! The best fragrance/Summer fragrance that I've owned. Please, if you know a similar scent, I'd love to hear your recommendations!

I remember buying a LAMB shirt from a resale shop as a 13 year old and I remember it being my favorite shirt. It was like a more girly Ed Hardy, which I’m sure is another brand they borrowed designs from.

The Mad TV parody is so good lol 😆

She is not a fashion designer. It takes more than just loving fashion or having a great style. Even with millions at their disposal, people who are not creative plus skilled in a specific field can't fake their way through it. I like her music and style, never bought a single piece from Lamb. She was out of her lane.

I forgot that Zaldy started at LAMB before becoming RuPaul's designer.

I love your docs! They're so interesting!

Honestly, her bags were kind of a poor man’s version of a Louis Vuitton Speedy bag that was out in the early aughts. I worked as an account manager for a department store chain at the time. We loved her line, especially the bags. However, we headed to Saks to get an LVMH bag like or similar to one Jessica Simpson carried.

Another amazing video! I love how you don't stick to just luxury fashion and give each brand the full breadth of your research, it's refreshing. Also love the details you put in your, the font being the same as the L.A.M.B. logo was such a great touch. Idk if you take requests but I'd love a deep dive into Norma Kamali or Todd Oldham.

I was at a store in Palm Beach (Bloomingdales?) where LAMB bags were on clearance. Clearance. One tiny bag was $600 -- and that was 50% off. It was so badly made -- loose thread hanging off the zipper, cheap materials, etc. I passed.

the harajuku girls definitely messed with my development as a ten-year-old japanese canadian at the time. I had a burned cd of l.a.m.b. and I loved her, and I specifically remember an interview where she had the harajuku girls posing around the room and told the interviewer not to talk to them or even look at them, and I was like oh so that's what gwen stefani wants from me okay.

Thank you for covering this! I remember the comment I made with another person on a video you did a few months back inquiring about Gwen's brand!

Lol i just realized that LAMB stands for Love Angel Music Baby ... 🙃

I remember the LAMB autumn/winter collections in probably 2013 or 14 being available (at least here in Northeastern US) at Nordstrom and heavily marketed there. Some of the clothes were pretty cute: fun plaids in interesting color combos, flirty/romantic details (that I didn't realize at the time were very referential of both Galiano and McQueen). I never liked any of it enough to buy it though...... I also remember the Harajuku perfume being EVERYWHERE at that time.

We need to see the rise and fall of Baby Phat next.

This was an unexpected video topic! It all seemed so closely tied to the L.A.M.B album, literally the same name and the Harujuku girls, that I didn't understand the longevity of it.

Now I know why Gwen has never guest judged on RuPaul's Drag Race!

Im not into fashion at all. But your content is so interesting. And well done

Oooo do her cosmetics brand on your other channel next 😊

It would have been one thing for Gwen to hire actual Harajuku icons to walk the red carpet with her. Instead she hired Japanese-Americans to cosplay stereotypes. But at the time other designers were doing similar ripoffs, I think Gwen was just extra obnoxious about it. You should look into DSquared and their awful 2010 collection that ripped off First Nations and Inuit culture AND titled it with a slur. Their collections are generally a mishmash of cultural appropriation but that one ranks right up there as one of the worst, most racist moments in fashion for me.

I've had Rich Girl stuck in my head all week and this just made the rap verse make sense. I kinda had my head in the sand in the 2000s lol

The rastafarian imagery is so rude. Stefani is such a cultural vulture Wasn't the indian gvt upset at her use of bindis in her later no doubt days? Did the Nigerians not complain about the face dot paint?

This was pure cheese to me and the final nail for me as a fan. I thought the branding was dumb, the way she used Japanese women as pets was offensive, and mentioning the brand in her music made her solo album a joke. I will never forget the sweatpants that said "Uh oh in the backseat" which made it sound like you pooped your pants. It wasn't just watered down Galliano, it also ripped off Primps and Juicy Couture. Awful all around. TJ Max crap.

Yet another informative, balanced, well researched and very interesting deep dive into a slice of fashion history - keep up the good work! ❤

I lived on a military base & they did sell some LAMB items back in the 2000s. Do remember seeing Harajuku Lovers in a lot more places though. The perfume is pretty much the lasting legacy of this venture because the bottles were so distinctive.

I remember wanting a L.A.M.B clutch (in the early aughts) so badly but they were always over my price point. There was a big section in my local Nordstrom and I'd go try out the merchandise, which were generally of good quality.

Great video. I always learn something when watching your content. Thank you!

This is going to be good, I always wondered what happened.

Wow. Im 2 years older than Gwen is now. So, i as a 30 something professional definitely had income for occasional lux items. I kept seeing celebrities with that dang giant tote!! So i got one!!!! With tax and shipping it was about 150.00 It was cool - but honestly, it felt like a 5 beach bag you buy at the dollar store. It did have the guitar strap - and "LAMB" tag hanging - lol. I still havs it somewhere 😅

The price of this brand used pieces is starting to rise in the resale world. I can see a major celebrity wearing something in the near future

When L.A.M.B debuted I was hoping she just did a purse line. The bags were fire. But I also wish Gwen would have collaborate with Vivienne Westwood doing her lamb project. I think she would have made it high fashion and I also wish she made it affordable it would still be around today. I use to ripe the pages out fashion magazine of lamb ads post them on my wall the ads were dreamy to me. Harajuku was cute but it didn't fascinate me wish she would of made lamb more affordable. Can you do a video on Eve the rapper clothing line it was called Fetish.

I have 2 bottles of her LAMB perfume and almost all over her "Baby" individual edp. I love and collect perfumes, especially celeb fragrances lol

I still have my LAMB Le Sportsac wristlet after all these years. Side note - Courtney Love once said that the whole fashion thing wasn't actually really just Gwen but that her then husband Gavin Rossdale was a big part of it on the down low.

Lamb is giving Fenty

Geez….this is such a thorough dive into this brand. I still have two pieces from 2007. I still wear the henley shirt with all the city names on it and people stop me all the time to tell me how much they like it. I had a great 100% wool coat that I sold on Poshmark last year. It was a fab coat but way too hot for LA winters. Never did the shoes though. I also still have a fitted straight legged pant. Not quit a legging but for sure a cousin…its made from 100% wool gaberdine and although I can not remember how much it cost it was not cheap and I bought it from the Nordstroms on Michigan Ave in Chicago. It is really well made so I decided to save them when this style comes back around. You do such a great job on your deep dives and I really do appreciate them. Just trying to learn more about fashion..including the basic business practices of manufacturing distribution etc. Always loved fashion but old school parents were certainly not supportive of “fashion careers” so now I can learn about fashion to my hearts desire and the luxury eye opening I have been getting from you, Roadman and a couple of others has been much appreciated. I feel like I need to give you a tip or something as this is great content you are providing for free. Thanks again so much for this video as well as past and future video’s.

Really interesting, thank you. I would love if you could do a piece on the rise and fall of Meadham Kirchhoff. 💗

I love Gwen Stefani Brand too bad I don't see the bags and what I love them. What a staple of fashion.

Would you consider a throwback series all based in the 90's with designers such as Gianfranco Ferre, Gianni Versace, Escada, Thierry Mugler, and many others that are no longer around. Love your ❤ channel.

I can still smell LAMB perfume ❤

I wish Gwen Stefani would bring this BRAND BACK

A boutique in Bakersfield, California carried LAMB.

Her son was born in 2006 so they couldn't show up together in 2003 his son being a 6 year old. That photo must have been from around 2012.

I've been holding this comment in for a while but I love this channels narrator's voice, it's so posh and even.

I still have my Harajuku perfume! I got it in 2005 when i was in 8th grade. ❤

wasn't terribly interesting line

I see Gwen and I think….Jamaica! lol. I actually had 2 pairs of those shoes….need to try and find and get that gold 😮

I loved her work. She was awesome. Proud to have a pair off her trousers.

she seems icky. why they put her on the Voice ???

Not my entire teenage world view being rocked on a random Saturday morning! I definitely thought LAMB was a huge deal back in the day. Apple Bottoms and House of Deron were things you could find in Burlington, which is absolutely not shade because that was the spot to go to for your club outfits, but things like LAMB and the fancy Baby Phat outfits were fancy mall finds.

Thank you for all your hard work. Loved the video 👍👍👍

I feel that the Brand was too expensive for the Demographic she & her Music represented at the time which was Mid GenX to Older Millennials & it wasn’t accessible in stores or online

Thanks for the flashback. I remember the LeSportSac collaboration and vaguely remember the clothes looking like Galliano copies. I also vaguely remember some of the runway shows. She liked to use a model that l was a fan of named Omahyra Mota. I realize that many of these celebrity fashion lines are a quick money grab but it seems like they are not doing the basic research and planning and seeing who the target audience is. The sneakers with the REAL gold as an accent? Really???😱🤣😰🤔🤬. They wonder why no one takes these lines seriously.

as a young teen remember buying the harajuku perfume, about three of them. I couldn't afford anything else lol

I still regret not buying this amazing army-print, multi-green blouse in early 2006.

Amazing work again

cool and very interesting dive into Stefani’s brand ! You can actually watch some of the design work/production discussions and meetings she had with the team in her unreleased documentary you can find on here :)

Love, Angel, Music, Baby, hurry up, come and save her!

Thank you for another fantastic video! I was wondering if it would be possible, in a future video, to study Coach’s case? Themes such as its rise in the 2000s, its fall in the 2010s, and its new rise in recent years would be interesting! I work in the luxury sector, at Christian Dior, and I noticed that several of my very wealthy clients wear Coach bags. Would it be possible for the brand to gradually become a luxury brand? I would be very interested in your point of view on this matter given your university training in the field! Thank you, Lyna

Wow i love Gwen's style, tho I can't affort it, i still have her perfumes with the harajuku girls ❤L.o.v.e ❤🤟🏻 ty!! For this amazing video! 💯

Harajuku Lovers was when I thought the Lamb line of clothes, it’s image & Gwen took a left turn. It was weird the way she was promoting it. I was working in fashion, cosmetics, & retail & L.A.M.B was great when it first appeared in stores especially the shoes

L.a.m.e.

I think you forgot to mention the watches. I have a lamb timepiece, which I remember being really expensive, and several harajuku lovers watches, which were kind of affordable

NGL, I'd love to have one of those 18K lamb charms on chain

I still get gasps and compliments over the shoes. I’ll never get rid of them .

Back when her face was mostly natural (mostly) 😂

My SIL bought me this expensive, cashmere LAMB scully cap… waay back then and I still wear it 🤘🏻⚡️

Love, Angel, Music, Baby ❤️💖❤️💖

could you do a video for Paul's Boutique ?

It was competing with Diesel at a Diesel price. Those things were not expensive, it was just the volume, they could not sell the volume they wanted.

I still have my le sportsac lamb bag from 2004!

Ive always been a Gwen fan but she really made out like a bandit. Aside from L.A.M.B. (which I feel also took a lot from Vivienne Westwood) her diffusion line, Harajuku Lovers, was a straight up clone of Hysteric Glamour & Super Lovers. Japanese brands that were even more exclusive to get 20 years ago. I really feel they had no idea she was completely taking their ideas because had every right to sue.

Still love the L.A.M.B Lesportsac collab. ❤

I'm excited to watch this, i still have a pair or sneakers and a blazer from the brand

The little kid with her in the full LAMB outfit at 2:20 is her niece, not her son. I'm old. I remember.

I actually just found a few months ago the military tailcoat jacket in a thrift store for very little money ( by modern thrift standards ) so its so funny seeing this video. And yknow, I admit I... really adore it. I always wanted a tailcoat so I freaked out when I saw it, especially because its a punk tailcoat not an actual formal one that needs more upkeep to avoid wearing it out. ( I've been considering getting a real tailcoat and painting and decorating it for ages but the cool ones cost so much lol ) Gotta be one of the most recognizeable things in my wardrobe, and I have some weird clothes. But I did dec it out in safety pins and random junk because its a little plain without it, but that's kinda a given lol But I'd love to know which collection it belonged to if anyone knows. Sucks that the brand isn't exactly the best history wise, but I did get it secondhand so it doesn't really support it lol

PLEASE DO LOVESHACKFANCY ❤❤❤

this is an interesting and contemporary case study for me - as I do remember this launching when I was in school...I do not remember it falling though.

Pls can u do zac posen? I was shocked when he closed his brand down

LAMB was too expensive for clothes that you couldn't really wearto many places. Other celebrity brands like JLo, Roca Wear, and FUBU were more practical.

I still have 3 or 4 things from The LAMB line. Still cute 🥰

I have almost all the bags in all the sizes and prints and shapes as well as every tank in every color and some of the boots too 😅

15:41 sounds like what Megan Thee Stallion is doing right now. her brand is all over the place.