From left, Bethenny Frankel in 2010, Tori Spelling this month and Jessica Simpson in January

What do they all have in common? They have found, to be blunt, that motherhood pays. In the last few years, salaries for movie stars have plummeted, record sales have tanked and roles in scripted dramas are going the way of the I.B.M. computer. Yet for a growing number of underemployed actresses, singers and would-be entrepreneurs, parenthood has become a viable Plan B.

The worst case scenario of all: ugly-Snooki!

In March, Nicole Polizzi, known as Snooki, carried a doll as she shopped for baby clothes!!!

“Being a celebrity mom has more business opportunities than ever before,” said Peter Grossman, the photo editor of Us Weekly, where he has negotiated six-figure cover deals with many celebrities and their cuddly offspring. “Now, it’s not just about selling your baby pics. It’s starting a clothing line or endorsing a stroller. The value of a celebrity mom has never been higher.”

AUGUST 1991 When Demi Moore, then seven months pregnant, appeared naked on Vanity Fair’s cover in an Annie Leibovitz photo, chains like Safeway refused to sell it.

Since then, Jessica Simpson, Claudia Schiffer, Cindy Crawford and Britney Spears have all struck a similar pose.

JUNE 2006 Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie had their first biological child, Shiloh, and sold the first pictures to People for what was a reported seven-figure sum.

They gave the money to charity.

OCTOBER 2002 When Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick had their first child, they hoped to satisfy the paparazzi who had been camped outside their Manhattan home by posing for pictures in front of the hospital with their new son, James. But, it did not help… Babies’ faces change and paparazzi want to get the next shot and the next shot and the next shot.

MARCH 2008 Nicole Richie with her baby, Harlow.APRIL 2012 Jessica Simpson went the Demi Moore route (in both naked and clothed versions) for Elle.

MARCH 2008 Pre-“American Idol,” Jennifer Lopez’s movie and singing career was on the decline, but pictures of her with her twins by Marc Anthony,

sparked a global tabloid feeding frenzy, reportedly netting the couple a reported $4 million to $6 million.

FEBRUARY 2008 Christina Aguilera and her baby, Max.

Deidra Father & Daughter Funny Wedding Dance

Model Guinevere Van Seenus wears the designer’s shocking-pink dress (fall 1937), silk-velvet bolero with metal embroidery by Lesage (fall 1938), and Starburst earrings, c.mid-1930s. Daniel Storto gloves.

All Schiaparelli Haute Couture pieces courtesy of Collecton Mark Walsh Leslie Chin; vintageluxury.com.

Fashion editor: Grace Coddington

Photographed by Steven Meisel

 

 

The Costume Institute unveils “Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations” (May 10–August 19).

A half century separates the birth of Elsa Schiaparelli’s Jazz Age fashion house and Miuccia Prada’s debut at the storied luggage company started by her grandfather, but these two consistently thoughtful and thought-provoking bluestockings have each, as cocurator Andrew Bolton notes, used “fashion as a vehicle to provoke, to confront normative conventions of taste, beauty, glamour, and femininity.” Vogue

The Designers: Elsa Schiaparelli & Miuccia Prada

 

 

 

Model Karen Elson in monkey and banana prints from spring 2011.

Photographed by David Sims

 

Karen Elson in a gold leather top and an organza circle skirt (spring 2008).

Photographed by Mario Testino

Prada creation, including a ruby silk-gabardine mini on model Natalia Vodianova (spring 2007).

Photographed by Mario Testino

Last time I was in Hong Kong, last month, I went to the Lady’s market and bought lost of hair extension for really cheap. In fact, she should have bought it after she arrived… but hey.. when you can afford to buy 3 Kelly bag at an Hermes shop in Ginza and then write on them with a black marker, then I think money saving is not an issue..

I am going to see her in concert soon in Hong Kong. Got my tix!

 

Alicia Keys poses for ‘VIBE’ magazine’s April/May 2012 issue.

YOU CANNOT GO WRONG WITH A LEATHER JACKET OR A COLORFUL ONE RIGHT NOW. GO FIND ONE!