nicky

Nicky Hilton Serious About Fashion

American celebrity Nicky Hilton, center, appears on the runway during the fashion show for her clothing lines Nicholai and Chick by Nicky Hilton in Seoul, Thursday. / AP-Yonhap
By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter

American celebrity Nicky Hilton will concentrate on her career as a fashion designer. Hilton, who is currently in Seoul for the launch of her fashion labels Nicholai and Chick by Nicky Hilton, apparently is not interested in following her older sister Paris, who is pursuing a career in acting and music.

``I got into fashion design when I was 17, when I designed a bag collection for Samantha Thavasa in Japan for one year. I launched sportswear label Chick in 2004, and Nicholai, a high end, luxury brand, last year. I'm concentrating on fashion. I have no aspirations to be a singer or actor. Fashion is my priority,'' she said, in a press conference at the COEX Intercontinental Hotel Thursday.

Chick is a contemporary sportswear line for young women, with prices starting at $30, while Nicholai is aimed at more sophisticated women, with prices starting at $80.

Hilton attended the glitzy fashion show for Chick and Nicholai's fall/winter 2008 collection at bar Fradia, southern Seoul, Thursday evening. It is the first time Hilton's clothing line has been launched in Asia.

Hilton, who studied at the Parsons School of Design, said this season's collection has an equestrian theme. ``I get my inspiration from my hobbies and passion. Last year, it was inspired by my jewelry collection with the colors, prints and jewel tones. This season, it has an equestrian theme. I love horseback riding. I have a horse at my ranch in Nevada, so I wanted to incorporate it in my collection,'' she said.

Hilton described her sense of style as ``conservative,'' compared to Paris' loud, more expressive style. ``I like to accessorize with lots of jewelry, shoes and handbags. I love mixing vintage with contemporary pieces. I love wearing platforms and colored tights. … My personality and attitude are reflected in my clothes, classic and sophisticated with an edge,'' she said.

While her focus is on the clothing line right now, Hilton said she hopes to expand the business in the future. ``The focus is on fashion right now. Later we will hopefully expand into eyewear and footwear. And possibly get into the family business with hotels. I just want to keep on working and doing what I love,'' she said.

Hilton wore an elegant black modern Korean hanbok with a white long-sleeved top when she attended the press conference. She later removed the top to reveal a strapless style couture hanbok, designed by Kim Me-hee.

``I've worn a lot of clothing before, but this Korean dress is really beautiful. It's a lot more comfortable than I thought. I really love it,'' she said, with a smile.

Hilton also attended a charity party for the Korea Breast Cancer Foundation at Club Answer, Friday evening. She said she is a big supporter of charities involved with breast cancer because her grandmother died from the disease a few years ago.

On Saturday, Hilton will throw the opening pitch at 6:10 p.m. before the start of the baseball game at the Jamsil Baseball Stadium.

cathy@koreatimes.co.kr