Gwen Stefani is a popular American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. She is the lead singer of rock band No Doubt and also a successful solo artist – as well as the creator of fashion line L.A.M.B.

Born in Orange County, California on 3^rd October 1969, Gwen Renée Stefani was named after a stewardess in Arthur Hailey’s bestselling 1968 novel Airport. She made her onstage debut in her early teens, singing ‘I Have Confidence’ from The Sound of Music during a high school talent show.

While still at high school, she was invited by her brother Eric to be the lead vocalist for his newly formed ska band No Doubt and, after several years of touring and promotion, the band was finally signed to Interscope Records in 1991.

Their self-titled debut album was released in 1992 but was commercially unsuccessful. Undeterred, the band returned to the studio and recorded the hugely successful Tragic Kingdom, which topped the charts after the release of the single Just a Girl – though the album’s biggest hit was undoubtedly Don’t Speak. The album sold more than 16 million copies worldwide and received two Grammy Award-nominations. The band subsequently released two more successful albums, Return of Saturn in 2000 and Rock Steady in 2001, with the singles Hey Baby and Underneath It All both receiving Grammy Awards.

Although still performing with the group, Gwen Stefani has arguably become better known in recent years for her solo career. Her two solo albums to date – 2004’s Love. Angel. Music. Baby. and 2006’s The Sweet Escape – have combined sales of 18 million, while singles like Hollaback Girl and Cool have given Stefani a number of award nominations and wins.

Gwen Stefani is also known for her unique fashion style. She made many of the clothes she wore on stage with No Doubt herself, and this led to her launching her own fashion line L.A.M.B. in 2004. The label is popular with celebrities like Teri Hatcher and Nicole Kidman and also includes the signature perfume ‘L’.