RICHIE BRANCHES OUT

Famous for pretty much nothing other than having a reality show with Paris Hilton, a famous step-father, and being questionably influenced by celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe, Nicole Richie is about the last person I thought would come out with a line of accessories that I like. That said, I not only own, but proudly wear a number of Richie’s surprisingly covetable House of Harlow 1960 jewelry pieces – even though they are slightly over-priced and not the best quality.

 
There’s no denying that Richie has been able to successfully carve out a spot for herself in the celebrity-turned-designer arena, no easy fete given that even lines from the like of Jennifer Lopez have floundered. Now the mother of two is expanding with a new 37 piece contemporary women’s clothing line called Winter Kate.

Hitting in the spring, the line is named after Richie’s daughter Harlow’s two middle names, and has already snagged coveted floor space come February 2010 at the likes of Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Intermix, and Kitson. The collection includes tops, vests, bed jackets, long slip dresses, asymmetrical short dresses, tunics, leather jackets, and of course, maxidresses.

 
Price are veering on the high-end contemporary side, with camisoles going for $35 wholesale and the leather pieces priced at just under $600 wholesale.