Nicky Hilton Talks Wedding Plans and Style During SF Visit

Photo Credit: Kelly E. Carter

When you’re sporting a haute rock like Nicky Hilton is these days after recently becoming engaged to banker James Rothschild in Lake Como, Italy, it may not matter what else you wear. Nonetheless, the socialite/heiress/designer is very much concerned about style. So much that she wrote a book, 365 Style. We caught up with Hilton, looking haute in a Reformation mini-dress and Chanel necklace, during her book signing at Neiman Marcus in San Francisco’s Union Square on Tuesday to talk fashion and about her wedding plans (well, sort of).

Later, Hilton later was the guest of honor at a private reception/book signing hosted by Dr. Alan R. Malouf at the stunning home of Asim and Isha Abdullah. She’ll stick around to make her San Francisco Symphony debut — in Valentino — at tonight’s Opening Night Gala at Davies Symphony Hall before jetting down to L.A. for a few hours then returning home to New York, where she’ll have her big book launch at Barneys New York.

While it may sound like 365 Style is about being stylish every day of the year, 365 is Hilton’s formula for creating your signature style: identify 3 occasions you regularly dress for, 6 staple items of clothing and 5 essential accessories. Voila! You too could have Hilton’s style.

HL: Why write a style book?
NH: I’ve always loved fashion but the idea was really born a few years ago when the whole social media bug kicked off. People started writing to me on my Facebook, on my Twitter, on my MySpace asking me fashion advice. “I’m going on a date. Should I wear a dress or jeans? What should I wear to my first day of school?” It started happening more and more often. I thought, “Hmmm, I could write about this.”

HL: What is the No. 1 style question you’re asked?
NH: Usually about accessories. “Does this look good?” I love accessories. I think accessories are one of the key things to having style. When I say accessories, I don’t mean purchasing the latest “It” bag because that is just so predictable and boring to me. I think it’s cool when I see a girl with an amazing vintage locket or a one-of-a-kind scarf. Style is about being unique and expressing yourself.

HL: What’s your favorite style item?
NH: I have two: a beautifully cut blazer and ballet flats. I think (ballet flats are) chic, versatile and comfortable. I love Repetto. Steve Madden makes great ones. Chanel makes great ones. Zara makes really nice, tailored blazers.

HL: What do you think people will be most surprised to learn when they read your book?
NH: I think a lot of people assume that my entire wardrobe is designer and it’s not. Obviously I have designer stuff but I mix and match and sprinkle it all in. A lot of my wardrobe comes from J. Crew. I love Zara. I love Top Shop. I love H&M.

HL: You’re very cost conscious, aren’t you?
NH: Very. That’s one of the main things in the book. It’s such a big misconception that you need this big bank account to have style. That can’t be further from the truth.

HL: You’re traveling now. What are three things you always take on a plane?
NH: I always like to have a loose-fitting, cozy sweater which can double as a blanket, an eye mask and a lot of water.

HL: Did you set a wedding date yet?
NH: No.

HL: Do you know a year?
NH: It will be next year.

HL: Do you know which city?
NH: No, he’s from the UK. I’m from LA, so…

HL: So it will be one of those two, maybe, or maybe not. It could be a destination wedding, maybe?
NH: Maybe.

Not surprisingly Hilton wasn’t nearly as revealing about her personal life as her sense of style. We get it.

Photo Credit: Drew Alitzer

Like Haute Living San Francisco? Join our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter @HauteLivingMag. Want Haute Living San Francisco delivered to your inbox once a week? Sign up for our newsletter.