Nicole Richie’s story is one of perseverance and overcoming personal demons. The American television personality and fashion designer/entrepreneur may seem to have a perfect life now, but things were not always so simple.
When Richie was three years old, her biological parents, who were friends of the legendary singer Lionel Richie, agreed to let her move in with him, as they were not able to provide for her. At the age of nine, she was adopted by Lionel and his wife Brenda Harvey. Unfortunately, she was witness to a bitter and well-publicized divorce that led her parents to become overly indulgent, and Nicole wound up struggling with addiction.
Richie rose to notoriety when, in 2003, she and childhood friend Paris Hilton filmed a reality series called “The Simple Life.” The show lasted five years and showcased the two wealthy socialites struggling with manual labor like farm work and cleaning rooms. While the show didn’t always portray Richie in the best light, it illustrated her knack for comedic timing, and she went on to star in the sitcoms “Candidly Nicole” and “Great News.”
However, she continued to struggle with addiction. By the time she was 26, she had been arrested four times and done multiple stints in rehab. She was ready for a change and, after finding out she was pregnant, poured her energy into her passion for fashion. In April 2007, Richie announced plans to start a jewelry, accessories, and sunglasses line along with a perfume and style book, and thus House of Harlow 1960 was founded. By 2010, the line had been extended to include apparel and shoes. Later that same year, Richie won "Entrepreneur of the Year" at Glamour Women of the Year Awards for the brand and was nominated "Choice Celebrity Fashion Line" at the 2010 Teen Choice Awards.
In November 2018, House of Harlow 1960 expanded to offer home fragrances and paper goods. The line includes candles, stationery, and journals sold at Saks Fifth Avenue. Reflecting on changing and overcoming challenges, she has said, “it takes effort to sit in your own power and decide for yourself that you're actually going to guide your life and not just merely exist."