GREG BONNELL

TORONTO - The look was a little bit girly and a little bit rock 'n' roll as American teen singing and acting sensation Hilary Duff previewed her new clothing line 'Stuff' for a group of screaming teenagers Friday.

"Looking good and being trendy shouldn't mean showing off a lot of skin," Duff, 16, said before the fashion show. "The clothes can let girls be creative and have fun fashions without being super revealing."

When the curtain dropped the delirious female audience was treated to models their own age bouncing on a bed and chatting around a chest of drawers after bursting out of a closet in the mock bedroom setting.

Pinks and blues dominated the first part of the collection, entitled 'On the Road.' Defined by comfy tracksuits and T-shirts, Duff said the look reflects her travelling lifestyle and the type of outfits she likes to wear during her down time.

Dark denim skirts and jackets were offset by pink T-shirts with a black-and-white tie decal for the 'Rock and Roll' look. Intended to emulate what the singer wears on stage, the young models sported black boxer boots, trucker hats, pink knee-high socks and chain belts appointed with a 'Stuff' medallion.

One pink shirt was emblazoned with the words Girlz Rock, Awesome, and Totally Cool.

The skirts were best described as mini, and while 13-year old Yocheved Botbol thought they were acceptable for girls her age, she didn't think eight-year olds should be wearing them.

Overall, the reaction to Duff's first fashion collection was favourable among the teens gathered.

"She's a great role model," said Daniela Cojocariu, 13. "In these clothes you can be cool without being revealing." Other enthusiastic girls marvelled at how "cool" and "real" Duff was when she took the stage at the end of the show to thank everyone.

The line - which is available at Zellers - was modelled after the clothes in Duff's home closet, and she hopes girls will embrace the look.

"I hope that they don't wear a low-cut shirt to try and get a guy because that definitely wouldn't be the way to go about doing it," said Duff, decked out in jeans and a white tank top covered with a large, pink knitted shawl. "It really wouldn't be the right kind of relationship."

The young star first came to prominence playing Lizzie McGuire in both the Disney TV series and subsequent film. Having tasted success after singing on the movie's soundtrack album, Duff embarked on a solo musical career. Her debut album Metamorphosis entered the Canadian charts at No. 1 last fall and ended the year as a top 10 best seller.

While she feels incredibly lucky for all the success, being in the media spotlight means her personal affairs often become everyone's business. Duff and fellow actor Lindsay Lohan have both dated pop singer Aaron Carter, and the subsequent 'feud' that erupted between the two is "the stupidest thing in the world."

"She's made a big deal out of nothing," said Duff, who dated Carter first and then got back together with him after his relationship with Lohan. "I guess she really got angry with that."

While Carter's a great guy, Duff says he didn't make a great boyfriend. Besides, she's only ever met Lohan face-to-face "three times." Lohan, for her part, has called the spat "silly" and "unnecessary."

What is important to Duff is to continue making music, films and clothes for her fans.

"Maybe in five years my music will change a little bit, and same with the type of movies that I do," said Duff, who added, "I don't want to abandon young fans like so many others."

But her latest foray into fashion, which will also include accessories and home decor, might leave fans wondering which career she prefers.

"I don't want to choose, I want to do it all," said Duff, who'll perform live Saturday on MuchMusic at 6 p.m. ET. "I want to keep doing what I'm doing."

Story courtesy of Canadian Press 03.13.2004