Nicole Richie……who would have thought!

Well, can you believe how far Mrs Madden (well she is now married) has come in the style stakes!
She started her career as a troubled teen. Involved with drugs and alcohol abuse at an early age. She went on to become globally famous (for all the wrong reasons) as Paris Hilton’s portly side-kick in The Simple Life.

Regularly appearing on the worst dress list for her choice of garish satin dresses, incredibly short skirts, Von Dutch hats (pass the bucket!) fish-net tights and fake tan more suited to the TOWIE cast. As for the hair extensions-straight out of My Big Fat Gypsy wedding!

After a public falling out with Hilton Nicole retreated from the big screen. Her weight plummeted to a terrifying low which attracted press attention on a global scale. Her style however matured. She began to develop a refined Boho look which was to get her featured on many a fashion mags best dressed list. She truly embraced the hippie vibe. Candidly shot in 60s’ print maxi dresses, Ossie Clark shirts, oversized shades, laden with ethnic jewellery and strutting Minnetonka fringe booties. No longer with the hair extensions, but a sophisticated bob or wavy surfer hair. Make up kept to a minimum.

Then she met rocker Joel Madden. Pregnant within the first year of dating, Nicole blossomed through out her pregnancy and the weight issues that the press hounded her about were now pushed aside, never to return.

While pregnant she began experimenting with jewellery design concepts. After giving birth to Harlow Winter-Kate in 2008 she launched her House of Harlow 1960 jewellery collection. Remarkably the collection became an instant success. Nicole had delivered a stunning first collection. Projecting her love of vintage and 60’s Boho throughout. At an attractive mid-price range she was able to reach a huge market of buyers and the fashion press couldn’t get enough.

In 2009 she gave birth to son Sparrow. As her family expanded so too did her fashion empire. In 2010 she launched clothing line Winter Kate. Reflecting her laid back style the collection featured floral smock dresses, silk flower-print kimonos and maxi dresses, suede moccasins and fringed shirts. Again… a huge success due to the selling point and Nicole’s ever-growing fashion fan base.

In 2010, she won “Entrepreneur of the Year” for her House of Harlow 1960 brand at the Glamour Women of the Year Awards, confirming her place as a fashion brand to be reckoned with.
Now 30, I think Nicole is one of the most stylish celebs out there. She knows what suites her shape, she never tries too hard and, like Victoria Beckham, she is humble in her fashion success.
Her are some of my favourite Nicole looks:

All images are from the wonderful Nicole Richie anonymous blog.