Nicole Richie Effect
Last Thursday, I met Nicole Richie. In Sydney to open Mid-City (Sydney’s new uber-shopping mall) I somehow ended up perched on a coffee table at an after-party, talking with her about the zoo, kids and bracelets.
Tiny? Yes. Beautiful? Not classically but absolutely. Diva? If she is I didn’t see it. She was polite to fans. Gracious to her hosts. Normal.
In the crowds at her public appearances, there was a sea of Mini-Me’s. Girls with waist-long hair, stacked gold bangles and over-sized sunglasses. As far as groupies go, they’re were an incredibly turned out bunch.
I’m certainly not immune to The Richie Effect. There are a couple of vintage kimonos and a pair of nude cork Louboutin’s in my closet that are courtesy of style stalking her. She is one of those rare celebrities whose look gets copied regardless of whether she gets it right or wrong.
Nicole was criticised for her wardrobe choices during her trip and admittedly I found her outfit a little underwhelming. It wasn’t bad. In fact, I may well buy the gold sequin Witchery jacket. It was just that it wasn’t Nicole with a capital “N".
In the style icon stakes, she is perhaps having a watershed moment? Whether she can maintain her fashion heat remains to be seen. Is she the real thing? Or will she loose her way like Sienna Miller (exhibit GQ cover? Why Sienna? Why?)
Driving home, I couldn’t help think how remarkable it was that someone who was originally so infamous - remember the pink hair extensions - had managed to influence mainstream fashion so completely. So this week, I’ve taken a look at the fundamentals she spearheaded into our wardrobes. And why they still work for right now.
Everything Old is New. Again.
One persons trash is another persons treasure. And when it comes to fashion, it can actually be gold.
Nicole has a knack for making retro look modern.Jewellery, bags, sunglasses, scarves - she has got an incredible back-catalogue of designer vintage in her closet and wears a piece with nearly every outfit. It's these vintage injections that makes her style look so unique and not straight off the runway.
I am a vintage nerd. Always have been. These days, I'm an obsessive collector.
Two reasons: 1) everything was just made better back then (true). 2) finding that special, one-of-a-kind piece gives an excellent fashion high. I stick to jewellery, bags, belts and sunglasses - I find hats and shoes a little bit tricky (and icky).
For jewellery, I love Harlequin Market who have the most incredible selection of antique and reproduction pieces. Also worth checking out is www.vintageonline.com.au which works a little like an estate sale. You have to keep checking in.
I have also found some of my favourite pieces - Hermes and Chanel - on eBay. You just have to trawl it the same way you would a market and use the same kind of logic. A trick is to search in adjectives - jet, gold, semi-precious etc - you're much more likely to uncover a treasure that way.
Remember many people don't know what they're listing!
Sunglasses are the lipstick of accessories. They can change your entire look in seconds. With no pain.
If you're new to the whole vintage thing then frames are a good, starter purchase . Collectable brands to look out for include YSL, Pucci, Persol, RayBan, Oliver Peoples and early Tom Ford. Try www.vintage-sunglasses-shop.comor www.giantvintage.com or my favourite www.rarevinatgesunglasses.com
When it comes to handbags it's much easier to spot a vintage fake - they're almost impossible to replicate. This makes eBay a great resource. I've bought three successfully on the auction site including the Chanel Jumbo Nicole is lugging in the above pic.
A good, local online retailer is www.avoir.com.au who specialise in luxury vintage accessories. Labels to collect: Fendi, Chanel, YSL and in monogram Gucci and Louis Vuitton.
Extend Your Wardrobe.
Nicole uses opaque stockings to make her style transeasonal. Which also makes her style consistent. Opaques are the fake tan of your wardrobe - slip them on and they hide everything.
Nicole sticks to a classic tight - there are no tricky patterns or high-shine just good quality, high-denier basic black. And she always teams it with a black shoe - it can be open-toe, it can be an ankle boot but it's always black. While in town, Nicole wore opaques with a white Uscari dress, Simone leather jacket (which I am coveting) and the Christian Louboutin Armadillo Pleated Leather Bootie.
My favourite opaque tights are the Wolford Matt Opaque 80, $60. Hand wash them and they will last forever. Also excellent are Leona Edmiston Luxury Opaques, $25.
Hats Aren't Just For The Races.
Once I wore a Bianca-Jagger-Wedding hat to work. That’s how much I like them.
They are bad hairs best friend. Perfect for sun protection. I Heart Hats. But only when worn casually. In the day. On the street. Never at night. Nicole follows this dictum to the letter and uses hats to give her weekend wardrobe a little edge.
The secret with hats - is the fit and finding the right shape for your face. Check out both the men and women's styles - I find mens hats always fit me better. David Jones has a great selection in both departments.
Scarves Maketh An Outfit.
Nicole was the first starlet to champion the scarf. Long, twisted, as a shawl, in her hair, she is rarely photographed without one. And that's because they are the ultimate "pull-together" piece. If you haven't already, it's time to invest in a good designer scarf. Just do it. And then wear it with everything. Cost per wear, it will end up being the best luxury money you'll ever spend.
Two years ago, I bought a dove grey Louis Vuitton Stephen Sprouse Limited Edition leopard stole. Yes it was a lot of money for not a lot of fabric but it has become the single most used accessory in my wardrobe.
I don’t treat it any differently to a scarf from Sportsgirl. I wear it to the gym, the school run, work, dinner - it's wearing it irreverently that make it work so well.
When you're buying an investment piece always opt for a style or colour that isn't too signature - you'll get more longevity from classic colours and lesser-known prints.
Current favourites: Python Print Cashmere Scarf from Stella McCartney and the classic Bolduc Silk Muslin Stole from Hermes.
On the more affordable side: Witchery have done a great leopard print and the Kirrily Johnson Underground Lovers Tassle Scarf is on-sale in her online store in both white and black.
Wear (and Watch) Nicole & Rachel.
Nicole has turned good style into a good job with the launch of both a fashion and accessory line. She launched The House of Harlow last year and it's full of lots of beautiful retro-inspired pieces without the weighty price tag of true vintage. And this season, she launched Winter Kate (the middle names of her daughter Harlow) a full apparel collection of about 40 pieces inlcuding dresses, vests, tunics and kimonos.
Also on the horizon, is a line from Rachel Zoe, the stylist widely credited with reinventing Richie's look. Last week she told Women's Wear Daily "You will definitely see "me" in the clothes. Like, you will absolutely see my trademark pieces. I'll definitely do faux furs and incredible leather jackets and great trousers. But I'm catering to a broader audience." It's due in 2011.
Even though Nicole maintains that Zoe never worked on her personal wardrobe, I think it's impossible to collaborate with someone for as long as they did and not have just a little bit rub off.
Personally, I am a fan of The Zoe. She makes me laugh because she is almost a caricature of many of the stylists I've worked with over the years. If you don't already watch The Rachel Zoe Project then you need too - it's back on Arenalater this year.
Below are two of my favourite Zoe videos. One real, one...not so much. Both genius. Or Bananas.
This is the actual Rachel in The Rachel Zoe Project her eponymous reality show.
This is the fake Rachel in Real Moments With Rachel Zoe a parody of the eponymous reality show. There are several webisodes in the series. If you love it, then I strongly suggest "The Snuggie".