11 Mar Once, Twice, Three Times a Businesswoman

by Katherine Griffin

Nicole Richie’s roots in the entertainment world run deep, but her love of fashion has brought her into her own as a businesswoman. Richie, who was born to jazz musician Pete Escovedo and adopted at age nine by singer-songwriter Lionel Richie, first became famous in 2003 as a costar (with Paris Hilton) of the reality TV show The Simple Life. Most recently, 
she starred in her own show on VH1, 
Candidly Nicole.

In 2007, Richie launched her jewelry brand and a year later expanded the enterprise into a broader fashion line. That business, House of Harlow 1960, was named for her daughter, Harlow, and now includes clothing, handbags, fragrance, eyewear, and shoes, along with jewelry. The items have been sold at Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, and Bergdorf Goodman, and the company was estimated by Business Insider to be worth $2 million.

“Fashion gives you the ability to express yourself,” Richie told Fashionunited.com. “I’ve always loved the possibility of being able to transform yourself through the way of dress.”