Lauren Conrad Defends Role in Fashion Line

The Hills' Lauren Conrad is responding to those who say she's not involved with the creation of her clothing line, the Lauren Conrad Collection.

"The rumors that I am not the designer of my own collection are ridiculous and hurtful," the 22-year-old told Us Weekly recently.

"I've been involved in this entire process, every single step of the way."

"I have wanted to be a fashion designer since I was a little girl," Conrad said. "I grew up designing and sewing dresses for my barbie dolls, and the Lauren Conrad Collection has been my dream come true."

Celeb news site TMZ reported last week that LC's involvement "is overstated... You never see her picking out fabrics, in the cutting room, or even at the drawing board. She's not the designer, the only step she's involved in is promotion."

A rep for Lauren Conrad countered with the following statement:

"These claims are absurd. Lauren Conrad designs her clothing line from start to finish. She does her own sketches, fabric selection and her own fittings. Lauren's work as a designer has been documented numerous times in the press. To say Lauren isn't the designer of the collection is 100 percent false."

A second celebrity fashion source revealed that Lauren Conrad is involved with the sketching, designing, and fitting of the collection.

"Lauren personally meets with fabric and trim vendors – choosing materials for each season. She researches the trends and shops in stores."