Associated Press (Sept. 9th 2003)

Gwen Stefani launches handbag collection

Gwen Stefani says being a real designer is much easier than making her own clothes.

"I didn't get the backache and the neck ache and the pins all over the floor and the major bedroom disaster of sewing," Stefani said Monday night at the launch of her handbag collection, produced by LeSportsac for Stefani's L.A.M.B. brand.

"My mom made my clothes when I was little," said the Gramy-winning No Doubt frontwoman, "and then when I was in high school I got to pick out the pattern and the fabric and then she would make it and then I just started making my own stuff when I was in the band. And then I finally hooked up with someone that I could just tell them to do it."

L.A.M.B. stands for love, angel, music, baby - some of Stefani's favorite words.

Following the accessories line will be a spring ready-to-wear collection that matches Stefani's own punk-to-Paris fashion aesthetic.

The 33-year-old singer just finished filming her first movie, Martin Scorcese's The Aviator, starring Leonardo DiCaprio as Howard Hughes. She plays Jean Harlow.

She's still getting used to seeing her bags anywhere other than on her own arm.

"It's kind of embarrassing when I see people that have any of them," she said. "I'm like, `Wait a minute, you've got my bag."'