Seth Wenig, Associated Press Ashley, left, and Mary Kate Olsen, shown at the CFDA Fashion Awards in New York June 4, are ranked atop Forbes.com's Young Hollywood's Top-Earning Stars list.

By Monica Haynes
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Somewhere between the good girl countenance of Hilary Duff and the skankified antics of Lindsay Lohan lie retail magnates/celebrity wonder twins Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen.

Today, the once cherubic-faced sitcom stars turned mini-moguls celebrate their 21st birthday, sitting atop Young Hollywood's Top-Earning Stars list as compiled by Forbes.com.

	The Olsens from their movie "How the West Was Fun." Click photo for larger image. Related articles Other stars joining the 21 club Ashley and Mary-Kate were easy to love

Yes, now Mary-Kate is old enough to slip a little nip into that giant cup of coffee she's often seen carrying around. While it's not exactly known how she and Ashley, who's two minutes older, plan to spend this watershed event, there are no reports of a big Vegas bash a la Ms. Lohan, who turns 21 next month.

That does not mean, however, that they have retained the spotless veneer of a Mandy Moore.

In 2004, during their freshmen year at New York University, Mary-Kate dropped out to seek treatment for anorexia. A "Got Milk" ad featuring the duo was pulled as a result. Mary-Kate never returned to school, stating that acting made her happier than writing college papers. And the sisters have certainly had their share of gentleman callers, getting caught in what seems to be the small circle of young female celebs who swap boyfriends like others swap recipes.

Still, they've become fashion icons, not on the strength of their Wal-Mart wear for tweens and teens, which generates millions in sales, but because of their own quirky style. Some call it boho or ashcan chic -- a little vintage, a little thrift store. One writer noted their look was that of "a Dickensian waif who just got kicked out of Value Village."

	Bob D'Amico/ABC Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen, shown in a 1991 photo, shared the role of Michelle on "Full House" from 1987-95. That show was their first and the springboard to child stardom. Click photo for larger image.

Just last week, they were presenters at the Council of Fashion Designers of America Awards. Later that same week, they announced a new clothing venture, Elizabeth and James, a sophisticated yet affordable line for women in their 20s named for the twins' two siblings. They already have a high-end label called The Row, but the new line is much larger in scope, with items ranging from $40 T-shirts to $450 fox coats.

The two worked with the creators of the upscale contemporary lines Seven and LaRok, said Lezley Goldbaum, editor of children and young contemporary fashions for The Tobe Report.

"I think they're definitely respected as fashion icons," she said. "I don't know in terms of design. I don't think necessarily right now they have a huge cache."

Ms. Goldbaum said that could, however, change if they incorporate their own sense of style into the line.

"We wanted [Elizabeth and James] to be based on a relationship between a girl and a boy and tell the story through clothing," Mary-Kate told Women's Wear Daily. "It's a clash between masculinity and femininity," added Ashley.

It's also another cog in their ever-growing wheel of fortune.

As every Olsenista knows, Mary-Kate and Ashley got their start at 9 months old, sharing the role of Michelle Tanner, the youngest of three daughters on the ABC sitcom "Full House," which also starred comedian Bob Saget as their father and TV heartthrob John Stamos as Uncle Jesse.

During the show's run (1987-95), the twins grew from infants to grade-schoolers. Unlike most child stars, however, they, or rather their then-manager Robert Thorne, did not rely on Hollywood to find a place for them.

In 1993, when they were just 6 years old, their company, Dualstar Entertainment Group, was formed. The twins, who were named among the producers, began making direct-to-video movies such as "Our First Video" and "Double, Double, Toil & Trouble," aimed at the then-untapped tween market.

"As a professional I watched [the videos] because they were a phenomenon, and for what they were they were very well done," said Dr. Robert J. Thompson, professor of television and popular culture at Syracuse University. "They're not going to win a Peabody Award, I mean this wasn't 'The Sopranos.' This was well-done cheese. Never underestimate the power of cheese."

In addition to videos, Dualstar began churning out books, dolls, makeup and the Wal-Mart clothing line, all tagged with the smiling faces of the tiny retail titans. They now run Dualstar after buying Mr. Thorne out a couple of years ago.

Though they've acted in several theatrical releases as well, they've found little success in that arena. Their last film, "New York Minute," released in 2004, bombed at the box office.

But don't cry for them, Pasadena!

Dualstar generates an estimated $1 billion a year in sales, and Mary-Kate and Ashley are reported to be worth a combined $100 million, according to Forbes.com.

The only young star to build a comparable retail empire is former Cosby kid Raven-Symone. The 21-year-old's "That's So Raven" brand, named for her highly successful Disney sitcom, generates an estimated $400 million in revenue from the sale of clothing, makeup, music CDs and other merchandise.

Yet, nothing the wholesome Raven does generates as much paparazzi interest as Mary-Kate or Ashley merely walking the streets of NYC, especially if there's a new beau in tow.

Nevertheless, Dr. Thompson believes that at 21, the Olsens are at a crossroads in their acting careers.

He cited former child star Rick Schroder, who was able to transition from the saccharine sitcom "Silver Spoons" to more mature roles in the miniseries "Lonesome Dove" and dramas "NYPD Blue" and "24."

In May, the twins were rumored to have been offered parts as the first twin Bond girls opposite Daniel Craig in the next film. No one's been able to confirm that story.

Mary-Kate, however, has branched out by taking a role in the Showtime series "Weeds," sans her sister. It's about a suburban housewife who sells marijuana.

Dr. Thompson calls it the perfect role to take the young actress from her pre-teen fan base to a maturer audience.

"It's hard to escape the orbit of something you were spectacularly famous for," said Dr. Thompson, "but it's certainly not impossible."