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JEWELRY DESIGNER INTERVIEWS

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Nicole Richie at a party at Holt Renfrew to celebrate her jewelry line

Nicole Richie

Nicole Richie discusses the inspiration for her jewelry collection

Nicole Richie has been collecting jewelry her whole life.

And during her boisterous teen years, she would fashion her own headbands from strips of lace.

The wild child, now 27, has since settled down with rocker Joel Madden, year-old daughter Harlow and a baby on the way.  But the headbands have remained and are now crafted in gold metal as part of Richie's jewelry collection under the label House of Harlow 1960.

“I wear the headbands all the time,” Richie remarked during an interview at Toronto's Holt Renfrew flagship, where her jewelry is sold. “They are very easy to wear, especially when you haven't brushed your hair and are looking for a quick fix.”

The fact that Madonna has been photographed in one is a powerful endorsement.

But as a style icon, Richie needs no stamp of approval. Her haute hippie look is greatly admired and much copied - all one had to do was look around at a party Holt's threw to mark her visit. Dozens of excited young women were taking note of Richie's silver tunic over black tights, and piled-on necklaces, cuffs, bracelets and rings.

Fans were scooping up House of Harlow 1960 - the fact that it is costume and priced mostly under $100 furthered the thrill. Richie thanked each shopper with an autograph.

Though the collection is costume, it is being produced by the fine jewelers Mouawad. Design ideas come from Richie's own vintage collection - which she confesses is messily stashed around the house - and is vast in terms of era and taste. But she singles out several themes that she drew on for inspiration.  Indian jewelry was translated into Aztec engraving on metal armbands. African necklaces were reborn in stark geometric metal. And the idea of marrying leather and metal came from some vintage Chanel pieces handed down from her mom, who is also a jewelry fan.

“I think incorporating fabric in jewelry is really cool and I also wanted to do it to make my line stand out,” she notes.

But there isn't a hint of Coco in Richie's work. In one case, she cleverly uses leather instead of a stone as the centre of a starburst ring.

Though the collection, and its designer, are young, Richie is off to an admirable start. Next on the agenda: clothing, footwear, and accessories. And baby #2, due in August.