This week’s episode of Ugly Betty did something pretty awesome - it referenced Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen’s fashion book Influence.

Influence came out in October 2008 and featured MK and Ashley interviewing several people who inspired their fashion choices, design aesthetic and overall style. It was a great book that not only provided insight into the mature young women Mary-Kate and Ashley have become, but was also an intimate and sophisticated set of interviews that showed a different side of fashion icons like Karl Lagerfeld, Lauren Hutton, Christian Louboutin and more.

This week’s episode of Ugly Betty is called “The Sex Issue” and it revolves around the first ever sex issue of Mode. The reference to influence is at the 4:40 mark. Wilhelmina Slater was apparently upset she wasn’t included in MK and Ashley’s book, so Mark makes arrangements for her to be in their next book, tenatively titled More Influence.

I really like Ugly Betty, but haven’t seen any of it this season! This clip was fun, I might have to start again.

Also, I can’t help but wonder if Mary-Kate and Ashley do have another book idea in the works, and if so, what it’s going to be about!

Mary-Kate wasn’t the only Olsen who had a great year, Ashley Olsen’s 2008 turned out pretty well too! Ashley’s year was a bit more subdued and behind-the-scenes as she turned her professional focus to Dualstar, the Row, Elizabeth & James and the expansion of each respective line. If anything, 2008 was the year Ashley emerged as a smart, savvy, dedicated and hard-working businesswoman.

Here’s Ashley’s best moments of 2008. Do you agree? Disagree? Did I miss one? Let me know in the comments!

5) Her relationship with Justin Bartha

2008 has been a good year for Mary-Kate and Ashley personally. Both seemed to have found stable, happy relationships. Ashley and Justin Bartha are doing their best to stay out of the public eye. However, the types of rumors swirling about their relationship this year (marriage and moving in together) seems to say that Ashley’s in this for the long haul. It’s been a long time since Ashley found a man she could trust and have a solid relationship with, so I’m happy for her.

4) Announcing Steve Madden Shoe line

You know a brand is successful when it announces expansion into other areas of fashion. Elizabeth & James, Mary-Kate and Ashley’s contemporary sportswear line, has been a hit with both fans and critics. Shoes are risky and different, which shows that Ashley and co. are confident about their brand and their line. Partnering with Steve Madden will ensure that the brand have credibility and will also connect with their core audience.

3) Being honored at the Institute of Contemporary Art

In December, Ashley attended an exclusive event in Boston at the the Institute of Contemporary Art for up-an-coming American fashion designers. Being invited to this event proved that Mary-Kate, Ashley and their brands are more than a celebrity-driven line. They are becoming go-to people to see what’s new and exciting in the world of American fashion.

2) Launching Robert Lee Morris for Elizabeth & James

Robert Lee Morris for Elizabeth & James was the perfect marriage between Mary-Kate and Ashley’s personal style, the androgynous aesthetic of Elizabeth & James, and the talent of a world-renowned jewelry designer. Robert Lee Morris is known the world over for his designs and getting him to agree to work with Elizabeth & James showed the world Ashley is serious about fashion and serious about brand-building. It doesn’t hurt that the line is quirky, unique and stunning!

1) Launching Influence

Influence is a project Mary-Kate and Ashley worked on together and is possibly their most personal and revealing project ever. (It’s #3 on Mary-Kate’s Best Moments list). It’s #1 for Ashley because it’s the most public encapsulation of the 2008 success of the Olsen fashion empire.

I don’t doubt Mary-Kate was, and is, involved with all their fashion projects. However, it’s becoming increasingly clear that it’s Ashley who spearheads the operation. She’s been focusing solely on fashion for the past couple years, whereas Mary-Kate is experimenting with both fashion and acting. That’s why it seemed appropriate to give Ashley greater kudos for their fashion successes.

The Boston Globe ran a short interview with Ashley Olsen yesterday. They chatted about her first fashion week (she was seventeen), a Full House reunion (don’t bet on it!), her fashion lines and new book, Influence.

I love this quote about how being an “Olsen twin” has affected her career, both positively and negatively. She seems to have such a mature and refreshing perspective on fame and how celebrity functions.

It opened a lot of doors in the beginning, because people are curious, so that helped. But automatically people will write what they want to write. It was hard at first. When we started the Row I said, ‘I don’t want anyone to know I’m behind it,’ but you can’t lie to the people you’re selling to.

The interview itself isn’t very long, but it’s interesting. Read it for yourself here.

Mary-Kate Olsen had a breakout year in 2008, elevating her status as both an actress and a fashion designer. Here’s a look back at her top five moments of the past year.

Do you agree? Disagree? What Mary-Kate moments should-and shouldn’t?-be on the list? Let me know in the comments!

5) Gracing the cover of Elle

Mary-Kate looked confident and beautiful on the cover of Elle. She was on the cover of the US version in July and the UK version in September. While Elle consistently places hot celebrities on their covers, choosing Mary-Kate showed the world the power and passion the pint-sized mogul has as well as further defining MK’s relevance and appeal as a fashion designer and trend-setter.

4) Her relationship with Nate Lowman

Stepping out with boyfriend Nate Lowman may not seem like the biggest deal. But for the first time in a long time, MK seems happy, healthy, confident and in love-and doesn’t care who knows it! While the couple remains extremely private, their occasional PDA and public outings together shows me that MK has a boyfriend who care about her and is there for her and she has a relationship she’s proud of.

3) Launching Influence

Mary-Kate and sister Ashley broke the rules with their fashion book Influence. It was more than a celebrity memoir, it was an introspective look at several people who have not only shaped MK and Ashley as people, but the fashion world as a whole, receiving rave reviews from fans and critics alike. Except more celebrity projects in the future to be less about the celebrities themselves and have the substance, insight and intelligence of this beautiful book.

2) Her guest appearance on Samantha Who?

2008 was the year MK got back into acting. Her one episode stint on Samantha Who? showed the world she can do comedy as well as drama and can fit seamlessly into a cast of characters. Because of her fame, MK is often noted for the fact she’s in a television show or film moreso than her actual appearance. Mary-Kate’s appearance in Samantha Who? elevated the episode and proved she did belong.

1) Her role in The Wackness

The Wackness was a great coming-of-age film that got tons of buzz when it premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, then died a quiet little death in theatres. However, that’s not what’s important. What is is that is showed the industry that Mary-Kate is serious about this newfound passion for acting. She chose a risky role that could have backfired. Instead, it showed her gustiness, determination and talent, and proved we should expect more from Mary-Kate in the future.

FabSugar is giving away EIGHT autographed copies of Influence at their website. To enter, you need an account (it’s free!) and take a six-question quiz about the girls and their new book. Once you take the quiz, your name will be entered in a draw to win!

Image credit: amazon

The contest closes at midnight December 7. You are only allowed to enter once, regardless of how many times you take the quiz. The contest is only open to US residents.

Ready? Enter here! Good luck!

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen were in Los Angeles yesterday to sign copies of their book Influence. The event was very much like the one in New York-no phones, photographs or autographs on non-Influence items and PETA was outside, protesting the event. It went smoothly and there were tons of fans on hand to get their books signed!

EDIT: Tons of photos have been added below the jump!!!

MK and Ashley both looked gorgeous, MK going with a camel-colored dress and bright red belt. Ashley opted for separates, a leather mini and grey top.

Did anyone go? I’d love to hear your story!

More photos below the jump!

Read more

Congratulations to Alana, who was the winner of the copy of Influence we gave away! Her name was drawn randomly from everyone who entered, using a random generator!

Image via Amazon

Thanks to everyone who participated! It was a lot of fun reading about all your fashion influences and the contest was a great success! I’ll be hosting another great Mary-Kate and Ashley contest soon, so be sure to stay tuned!

The photo shoot Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen did for their book Influence is amazing! The photos are very editorial and really strong–it’s one of the best shoots the girls have done in a while.

Here’s a slideshow of the shoot:

Which photos are your favorites? I love MK in the Galliano dress and the different beauty shots they did for the cover.

Mary-Kate Olsen shared the late night circuit with Ashley, making an appearance on Late Night with Conan O’Brien last night. MK looked gorgeous, but I wished she sat up straight. Conan and MK made fun of her “boho chic” look, chatted about her fashion choices and the recent Influence book launch. MK also plays stylist to Conan and it’s really funny.

I find MK is a lot better at the late night bit than Ashley. She seemed a lot more comfortable on Conan than Ashley did on Letterman.

This is the second time MK has been on Conan. She visited once last September to promote Weeds.

Ashley Olsen was a guest on The Late Show with David Letterman last night. Ashley looked gorgeous as the pair chatted about staring DualStar at six years old and growing up working, the entertainment industry in general, her and Mary-Kate’s relationship and more. David drills Ashley on her IQ, ideas process and intelligence level. It’s pretty funny.

I love how Ashley says the same thing about how her and MK communicate that MK said on Oprah.

Ashley a lot more alive in this interview than her and MK’s Oprah appearance.