MISCHA BARTON is in talks to launch a full fashion line, expanding on her current handbag label. The OC actress flew to Beijing last week to meet with manufacturers about the possibility of expanding her design repertoire.

“It’s something I really want to do,” she told us. “It’ll be Forties-meets-Seventies with the occasionally bit of Twenties – that sounds a bit random, but I’ll take elements of different decades. It’ll be a bit like Biba, but with a real simplicity of cut and lots of bright colours. The fabrics will be great quality, and there will be lots of separates, like slacks and shirts. I want people to be able to mix and match.”

Although based in the States, British-born Barton’s fashion heart still belongs to London.

“It’s my favourite city for style and shopping,” she said. “I love Vivienne Westwood obviously, but I’m also a massive fan of Giles. He always puts on a great show, and his clothes are bit futuristic – but interesting and different too. You feel confident in them, but brave.”

Vogue.co.uk

‘Water for Elephants’ to open Shanghai Film Festival

Director Francis Lawrence’s latest romantic drama “Water for Elephants” starring Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson will open the Shanghai International Film Festival.

The opening ceremony is bound to be a spectacular with over 300 celebrities from home and abroad walking the red carpet.

Among them are media mogul Keith Rupert Murdoch and his wife Wendi Deng; Hollywood star Susan Sarandon, Matt Dillon, and Mischa Barton; director John Woo and Feng Xiaogang; and of course Barry Levinson. Levinson is the president for the seven-member jury for the Golden Goblet Awards.

The ceremony will be held at the Shanghai Grand Theater at 6:30 p.m. this Saturday, June 11.

China.org.cn

Very.co.uk also attended the party and grabbed Mischa to ask about fashion, her comeback and what she plans to do next.

QS: You’re looking amazing right now, what’s your secret?
MISCHA: “I feel happy when it’s sunny so I dress to reflect that. It’s simple. Everyone needs some items in their wardrobe that make them feel cheerful.

For me, that’s bright colours and maxi skirts and maxi dresses, but I know some of my friends love skinny jeans because they make their legs look amazing.

My secret is shopping around until I find something that I know looks good and then trusting my instincts and buying it. Easy!”

QS: Do you have any advice about how to accessorise an outfit?
MISCHA: “My top tip is to have a Mischa Barton handbag.

“No seriously, I’d say less is more with jewellery. It’s better to have one stunning necklace or a few bangles than both with earrings. It just means people notice what you have. Otherwise people can hear you when you arrive if you have too much jewellery on and that’s not cool.”

QS: Tell us more about your handbags, what has been your inspiration?
MISCHA: “I always loved handbags but I found it difficult to find ones with lots of pockets. I was constantly losing things because I was shoving them into my handbag and it became a black hole. So even my clutch bags have pockets, which makes them so practical.”

QS: What are your favourite bags from the collection?
MISCHA: “At night-time, I’ll take out a clutch. For day, I love big bags – with pockets – the Mischa Barton black tote bag is regularly used as it goes with everything.”

QS: What can we expect to see in your handbag range next season?
MISCHA: “I’m heading to China in a few weeks to oversee the next collection. I’m very hands on with the designs and quality control.

“I’m hoping to bring out some designer-looking handbags, some with bow details and charms and some big and simple. But the key thing is they’ll look expensive but they’ll all be under £100.”

Full article at Very.co.uk

Interesting note about the trip to China!

Former OC star Mischa Barton has been appointed as the principal spokesperson for OC Fenix. The new line of skincare launches in Japan on May 16, and Mischa appears in a series of infomercials which are aired in Japan, Hawaii and Guam. Mischa has signed up for several projects this year and next, including the films Into The Darkness, Ben Banks, The Sibling and The Science of Cool.

Red Pages

Mischa Barton showed up at Reality Rocks, gave us the scoop on the very mysterious reality show project she shot, talks about her dealings with the paparazzi and more!

Source: MySpace

Mischa Barton may not be the first person that comes to mind in the Reality TV world, but she stopped by the Reality Rock Expo at the Los Angeles Convention Center and talked to “On The Red Carpet” host Chris Balish.

The model and actress shot to fame for her role as Marissa Cooper on the show “The OC,” and over the years has become a fashion fixture on the red carpet. Barton is now taking fashion into her own hands and launching her own handbag line.

“Fashion has always been something I’ve been really into,” said Barton. “Handbags in particular are just a great thing to design. Because as a woman you don’t have to try them on, they can be really beautiful and interesting and funky and change up your whole outfit. And they are a functional thing that you need every day.”

Barton says the inspiration of her line reflects her own eclectic style, drawing from high-end fashion to street fashion. “The bag line is a great way to link with fans and all these fashionable girls,” Barton told “On The Red Carpet.”

But she is at the Reality Rock Expo, so “On The Red Carpet” had to ask what reality shows grab her attention. “I like everyone else watch the funny bloopers on stuff, Snooki outtakes and Jersey Shore. We do watch that stuff, my friends and I,” said Barton. “I really like any of the dog shows. All those animal rescue shows. And I really like cake decorating. I go nutty for those cake decorating competitions. It’s amazing, I love that stuff.”

Even though her line is only available in stores in the UK and Japan, people in the US can purchase her handbags on the fashion website ASOS.com. Bags will also be available at the Reality Rocks Expo, which finishes up Sunday April 10.

And make sure to check out the rest of our coverage from the Reality Rocks Expo including several interviews with your favorite reality stars and photos from the event.

Source: On the Red Carpet

Break out your old Phantom Planet CDs, Death Cab For Cutie t-shirts and Captain Oats replicas: We’re going back to California.

We’ll admit, we were surprised to see “The O.C’s” Mischa Barton on the list of attendees at the 2011 Reality Rocks Expo. She’s not an actress we usually — or ever — associate with reality TV. It turns out Barton was in the house to promote her self-titled line of handbags, which is only available in the UK.

Being huge fans of “The O.C.,” we here at Zap2it knew we had to sit down and chat with the actress who played our favorite poor little rich girl: Marissa Cooper. Who didn’t swoon when Ryan (Ben McKenzie) ran through the door at the nick of time on New Year’s Eve to kiss Marissa? Who didn’t tune in and freak out when Marissa decided, ‘Hey, I’m a lesbian now!?’ And don’t you dare tell us you didn’t shed a tear (or, um, 40) when Marissa tragically died in Ryan’s arms at the end of Season 3. Not cool, Volchok. Not cool. Who ever would have thought a spoiled, alcoholic high school girl would end up being one of TV’s most tragic characters?

Lucky for us, Barton was more than game to answer all of our “O.C.”-related questions, including her favorite episode, when she knew the show was a cultural phenomenon and how she related to Marissa’s darkness. We also found out if Barton would ever be interested in gracing the small screen again.

So cue up “California” on your iPods ’cause nostalgia here we come… via Zap2it