Nicole Richie has designs on a star brand

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Is tabloid sensation-turned-designer Nicole Richie poised to become the next big celebrity fashion brand?

Following in the footsteps of Jessica Simpson and Rachel Zoe, Richie, 30 -- whose adoptive father is Lionel Richie -- launched her House of Harlow 1960 jewelry line in late 2007, adding shoes in 2009 and bags in June 2011. Last spring, she debuted ready-to-wear under the label Winter Kate.

Her designs are an extension of her paparazzi-ready personal style -- witchy woman, rock goddess, ‘60s and ‘70s vintage princess.

Richie hosted the kickoff festivities for L.A.’s Fashion’s Night Out in September and sat front row at the Louis Vuitton runway show in Paris earlier this month. Come February, she’ll be in our living rooms every week, as a mentor on NBC’s new “Fashion Star” designer competition series.

Richie will be making a personal appearance at Nordstrom at the Grove from 6 to 8 p.m. on Nov. 10. Anyone who makes a Winter Kate or House of Harlow 1960 purchase will get the opportunity to meet her.

I had the pleasure of interviewing her a few weeks ago at her Hollywood Hills house. There’s a lovable, Elle Woods quality to the mother-of-two, whether she’s jetting off to Mexico for her girls-only 30th birthday, or hitting the Los Angeles Flower Market every Saturday with two friends. Read more about her fashion ambitions in my story in this week’s Image section.

--Booth Moore

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Nicole Richie at work in her home office. Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times.