What makes a trendsetter? These days, it seems like almost anyone can be considered a trendsetter.
With the rise of the Internet, people have faster access than ever to what everyone is wearing at every event. And it's just not celebrities anymore that are in the public eye. A quick social media comb-through reveals hashtags like #OOTD on Instragram, an acronym for outfit of the day, where fashion-minded people can explain what they're wearing today. Sights like Polyvore and We Heart It also let users create and share fashion inspiration from multiple sources and price points.
Despite the rise of the regular populace sharing their outfits on a daily basis, most people still look upwards to celebrities to set trends. Celebrities have the money to spend on trends that most other people do not. If something becomes unfashionable in a few years, celebrities don't mind because they can afford to keep up with the trends. With a little ingenuity and creativity, regular people can indeed be trendsetters in their own circles, but celebrities are being watched constantly. They're photographed everywhere they go. It would make sense then, that they would become style icons. This post focuses on celebrity trendsetter Nicole Richie. Formerly awkward and chubby friend of socialite Paris Hilton, the public has watched Nichole Richie transform over the years. Today, Ms. Richie is a mom and a style mogul.
Nicole Richie wasn't always a trendsetter. After a hard partying youth coupled with some trouble with the law, Richie seemed to settle down around 2006, around the birth of her first child. She launched her own jewelry line, House of Harlow 1960 in 2008. House of Harlow, named after Richie's daughter with husband Joel Madden, has been wildly successful. Affordable enough for the masses, but worn by celebrities like Madonna and Kim Kardashian. House of Harlow makes jewelry, shoes, sunglasses and bags. Richie's own line is modeled after her urban hippy style. Richie is often seen in loose flowing clothing and lots of jewelry. Despite her laid-back style, Richie always looks polished on the red carpet, proving that easy going girls can also rock a beaded gown. Richie's overall look is easy cool, which makes it an enviable look for girls everywhere.
If I had to speculate, Richie's target market is females, 22-35. Girls younger than their early twenties probably wouldn't invest in the costume jewelry. Some of the pieces are heavy, with materials like resin and leather that would not appeal to younger markets. Although Richie likes to pile on her own pieces and wear many at a time, there are also more delicate and subtle pieces in the collection that could work as statement pieces for someone not as ready to embrace the bohemian lifestyle. The target market is definitely free spirited girls who aren't afraid to take risks. The collage below was created in Photoshop and it illustrates many facets of Nicole Richie's life: casual mom to red carpet poise. Richie wears a lot of her own jewelry in her everyday life, which helps solidify the brand identity.
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