Brangelina to Launch Housewares Line
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are planning to launch their own line of traditional African housewares and other home products later this year. They are reported to be working with local craftsmen in Namibia, where they currently reside, to create the products for their line, which will include textiles and pottery. The collection will be launched at an art fair in Paris in September.
Given that the Brangelina collection will debut in Paris, it seems like it will be sold at a premium price, but since Angelina was among Forbes magazine's picks of the most generous celebrities, the odds are good that the couple will be putting a lot of that money back into the community.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
Ed May 13th 2006 9:29AM
Houseware? Hm, better it was parfumes or cosmetics. It was the common way, but Angelina finds the most difficult way :). How I can distinguish Brangelina from other brands?
jennie May 13th 2006 9:58AM
The idea that she back african products is nice, her name will sell them, and I know the country needs all the economy it can get. I even find it hard myself to BE when so many people exhist with nothing and nothing to look forward to but more of the same.
Sharon Dodrer May 13th 2006 9:59AM
Like Angelina Jolie could even FIND the kitchen or use kitchen utensils. Sorry, anyone who BUYS her children and steals a husband couln't inspire me to buy or use a kitchen utensil with her name on it. I seriously doubt if she could make toast.
JB May 15th 2006 10:14AM
Sharon Dodrer's comment has to be the most vile I have ever heard. Something as wonderful as adoption being smeared as an act of "buying children" is contemptible. Thank God so many wonderful parents who have chosen to adopt do not share this reprehensible mentality.
RICO May 16th 2006 6:16AM
I THINK IT IS A GREAT IDEA AND ITS NOT OVERLY COMMERCIAL LIKE SO MANY OTHER PRODUCTS ENDORSED BY CELEBRITIES. EVERYONE NEEDS HOUSEWARES AND NOW THEY CAN ALSO SUPPORT A WORTHY CAUSE. HEY IT WORKED FOR MARTHA STEWART!!
Rose May 16th 2006 6:45AM
You're right JB...and Ed's comment was completely asinine as well; I don't think "perfumes and cosmetics" have very much use in Zambia, let alone housewares are practical when they're probably not using Tuperware in a 3rd world country. I doubt Brad and Angelina will put their name on the products since they seem pretty ego-less and what they are doing is not a new concept: "The Body Shop" and other ethnocentric companies have been doing it for years. I respect Brad and Angelina because they aspire that one day, people like JB and Sharon will get their head out of their asses and realize what hell exists outside of their protective American bubble.
ST May 16th 2006 7:46AM
Ask those children when they are older what a blessing it was to be "bought". I cannot believe anyone would say something like that. Thank God for people who are loving and generous enough to adopt!!! God knows we need more ppl like this. I think the dinnerware is a good way to pull money in to Nambia. Good luck Angelina and Brad!
cn15 May 16th 2006 8:02AM
At first it seems that this is another celebrity money/publicity making scheme, but reading futher it is obvious that they are making the right move and I actually wonder if all the anomosity for the couple is misguided. I respect this move and see the couple in a different more positive light. I've alway felt any successful celebrity should 'give back' to those who need it.
Jan McNeal May 16th 2006 8:15AM
I think it is wonderful to come up with a concept of art and donate your profits to charity! Angelina rocks!
kim May 16th 2006 8:19AM
first off buying children and husband stealing i'm sure Sharon D has lost a husband...the thing is this. You cannot steal a husband...if he loved you it would be impossible ... and you only live once so if you are in a loveless marriage then you need to get out...and she should be blessed for adopting children of different races (not the lil white baby) so many yearn for GOOD FOR HER....I think they are wonderful people and role models more of us should think this way....
Peter Cave May 16th 2006 8:32AM
More Power to them!
Renee May 16th 2006 8:46AM
If a celebrity really wanted to give back, and make a difference for the less fortunate. They should, and could without their name on a product or "charity dinner", etc. Just give directly without a revenue.They all can make a difference just giving, and in the end they still get a write off. Sad... isn't it?
XBOX JO May 16th 2006 9:30AM
More Wealthy people need to do things like this. If there were more people like this, the world would be a much nicer place for EVERYONE!
XBOX JO May 16th 2006 9:31AM
More people need to be like this!
Becky May 16th 2006 9:35AM
Who cares about Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt! I don't care what product they are endorsing. It's just a way for them to make more money for themselves! I'm getting sick and tired of hearing about their "Baby Bumb Exclusive!!" (sarcasm) Why don't you talk about news that matters, instead of stupid celebrities and their plans to make THEMSELVES better! It's all a joke!
TS May 16th 2006 9:35AM
Adoption is a beautiful and wonderful thing. There are too many children out there without homes and loving families. That said, what is wrong with making people more aware of the world around them? If selling housewares draws attention away from our own insulated lives then that's wonderful. You can't blame them for using our consumerism as a way of getting their message out. If their products are something I like and a price I feel comfortable with, then I'll buy them. And quit blaming Angelina for everything. Brad's an adult. He made his own choices.
Penny May 16th 2006 9:37AM
I think what they are doing is wonderful. They will be creating jobs, and making lives better for the people in Africa. It's not like they are stealing ideas and having them made in Thialand. They are having the products made by artisans of that country.
Also what business is it of ours what goes on in their lives. We don't know what went on in Brad and Jen's marriage or if Angelina even busted them up(unless you have personally talked to one of them about it), and frankly why do we care. Don't we have lives of our own to worry about? Yes they make movies, but their lives are just that, their lives. Don't over glamorize them, they are just people like you and me. They just happen to have more money. If people didn't care so much what they did, we would never hear about it! I applaude Angelina for adopting those precious babies, I wish I had the money to adopt a child that needed a good home. (It cost a lot of money. I've checked into it.) I also applaude her for trying to shed light on the evils of the world. She is using her easy money for better things than Prada dresses and Gucci shoes.
Angel May 16th 2006 9:38AM
You know, I think everyone should should stop and take a look at their own lives before they start with the "comments" about this relationship. I think adoption is one of the most wonderful, exciting things that people can do. Especially a child from a third world country that would have no life at all. I have done that and all I can say is I wish I had more money so that I could adopt more children like my daughter who would have been a throw-away street child if left in her country. I wish this family the best of everything and pray that they have a very happy healthy baby. I admire them for wanting to peacfully bring their child into this world. Namibia is a beautiful country as I have relatives who have worked in that country for a few years. I fully support the efforts of this couple and I will personally look for and purchase these African products they will be introducing. God Bless you and keep up the good work that you are doing.
marisa corallo May 16th 2006 9:52AM
Did anyone ever look at Angelina with respect for adopting these children that no one wants because they are not white? Did anyone think that maybe Brad Pitt fell in love with this women because she is not a typical hollywood spoiled, over paid pampered actress who put their careers over a family. How many times did Brad say he wants children. Jennifer was to busy with her career and Brad wanted something else. Sometimes in life you make ther right decision sometimes the wrong. Jennifer made the wrong decision and Brad walked into Angelina arm. Also, is anyone forgetting that Angelina is donating 30% of her pay to various charities. This is a good women.....everyone get off her back.
pg0619 May 16th 2006 9:53AM
I have a problem with the whole Brangelina thing - I think that money would be better used in the U.S. where there just doesn't seem to be enough money to take care of our own!