By Katrina Caspelich
Crazy busy hitting the fashion-designer high notes—bag designer, clothing designer, and now jewelry designer—Nicky Hilton recently sat down with us to discuss her latest venture, the Nicky Hilton Collection. This L.A.-based socialite-about-town and sister of Paris just launched her own designer jewelry line. Her fashion-forward necklaces, rings, bracelets, and earrings work with styles from edgy to classic. Nicky also reveals some of her must-have winter items, go-to fashion pieces, and favorite places to shop in NYC.
Katrina Caspelich: When did you discover your love for fashion?
Nicky Hilton: I was drawn to fashion at a very young age. I was always going through my mother’s closet, trying on her jewelry and shoes.
KC: When did you realize you wanted to be a designer?
NH: I did a lot of modeling as a teenager, and my favorite part of it was dressing up in all the beautiful clothes. It was always a dream to design my own collection.
KC: As a designer, what inspires you?
NH: I’m constantly inspired by other fashionable women. The glamorous style of Elizabeth Taylor was a huge influence for my jewelry collection.
KC: You were a handbag and clothing designer. Why jewelry?
NH: Jewelry is so much fun to design because it’s such an investment for a woman’s wardrobe. Clothing trends come and go so quickly, but jewelry is something you keep forever. It’s timeless.
KC: What is your favorite piece?
NH: I love the Bryant Park ring with the turquoise stone. It’s the perfect statement piece. I mix it with my fine jewelry and diamonds, and people always think it’s one of those super-expensive pieces!
Buy Nicky Hilton Bryant Park Ring, $198, at endless.com
KC: What is the price point of your jewelry line?
NH: Pieces range from $70 to $960.
KC: Who would you love to see in your jewelry?
NH: Women whose style I admire, like Gwen Stefani and Sarah Jessica Parker. They’re such risk takers on the red carpet, and they always have the coolest accessories.
KC: What type of person do you design for?
NH: When designing the collection, I kept in mind that I wanted to design for women of all different styles, so there’s something for everyone—edgy, classic, and contemporary.
KC: Who are your favorite designers?
NH: I love Balmain, Valentino, Marc Jacobs, and Prada.
KC: Who in the fashion industry inspires you?
NH: Diane von Furstenberg is very inspiring to me. She has been in the industry forever and
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has gracefully maintained an incredible balance of family and work. Her brand has expanded so much over the last few years—fragrance, luggage, footwear, eyewear, swimwear, etc. She has really built a lifestyle brand.
KC: What is your favorite thing to wear?
NH: My daily uniform pretty much consists of skinny jeans, a leather jacket, ballet flats, and a couple of my jewelry pieces.
Buy Paige Verdugo Jegging, $179, at paigeusa.com
Buy Repetto BB Patent Ballet Flats, $310, at kirnazabete.com
Buy Nicky Hilton Soho Sterling Silver Bypass Spike Bangle with CZ, $250, at amazon.com
KC: Where do you like to shop?
NH: When I go to New York, I always make it a point to go to Bergdorf Goodman for lunch and some shopping. I’m also loving the new Isabel Marant boutique in Soho.
KC: What is your must-have fashion item this winter?
NH: Great booties! My favorites this season are from Tory Burch and Louis Vuitton.
Buy Tory Burch Cidnay Suede Platform Booties, $350, at shopbop.com
KC: What fashion item should we all own—and splurge on?
NH: A quality leather jacket. Rick Owens makes the best ones.
Buy Rick Owens Laced Leather Biker Jacket, $2,480, at net-a-porter.com
KC: What look makes you feel most confident?
NH: A short, sexy black dress. What girl doesn’t feel good in an LBD?
Buy Theory Mickie Fitted Knit Dress, $249, at saksfifthavenue.com
KC: Name your favorite vacation purchase.
NH: My Hermes Kelly bag that I bought in St. Barts. The bags are hard to find, so I was lucky when I came across a black leather one with silver hardware. I couldn’t pass it up!
KC: What 5 things can’t you live without?
NC: Water, my Blackberry, Rosebud lip salve, my boyfriend, and my kitties.
Buy Rosebud Perfume Co. Smith’s Rosebud Salve, $6, at sephora.com
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The Hilton sisters are such interesting people.
Love them and their extended family, esp. the aunts who star in Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.
Nicky Rocks!