By Jillian Schenfeld
12:05pm PDT, Apr 21, 2017
Nicole Richie is one of the most fashionable celebrities of our day, but she didn't start out rocking custom-made couture and bohemian goddess dresses. The House of Harlow designer has been through many fashion phases in her life, from her early, wild "The Simple Life" days to her steady diet of chic cuts and fashion-forward ensembles in recent years. To mark the debut of her new NBC sitcom "Great News" on April 25, 2017, Wonderwall.com is taking a look back at Nicole's most iconic fashion moments through the years.
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We're taking it back to 2003 when Nicole Richie rocked a serious set of tangled blonde and brunette hair extensions along with blue eyeliner and a bandeau bra top. This was Nicole's wild-child phase — note the draped-fringe tank, matching miniskirt and wacky expression. Oh, how we miss those "The Simple Life" days…
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Nicole Richie's love affair with Emilio Pucci became very apparent during the early aughts. She commonly accessorized her outfits with various versions of similar-looking vintage Pucci headscarfs, as she did here in 2004 while attending, what else, the Super Bowl.
Nicole Richie definitely had a thing for maxidresses from 2008 to 2009. Wearing towering heels and flowy, colorful long dresses was a standard Nicole fashion move.
A Nicole Richie fashion retrospective would feel incomplete without paying homage to her bug-eye sunglasses and oversized Hermes bag phase. Nicole was a pioneer of this just-rolled-out-bed-but-I-still-look-chic style movement, seen here in 2012.
2013 marked a turn in Nicole's fashion trajectory. She started to dress in a more ladylike manner, but still with her signature edgy vibe. Here, she struck the au courant "skinny arm" pose in a dark floral-patterned turtleneck dress by Jean Paul Gaultier. Note the slicked-back hair, which suited her sophisticated short haircut.
Punk-glam Nicole Richie was a show-stopper in a custom Topshop gown at the Costume Institute Gala's "PUNK: Chaos to Couture"-themed night at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2013. She stunned with a blueish-gray updo and a bold burgundy lip color. This was a fierce and fun fashion move and the beginning of Nicole's constantly metamorphosing hair color.
In 2013, Nicole Richie attended the American Music Awards in a stellar mod Emilio Pucci gown with cutouts that showed off her tiny, toned frame. In 2009, Nicole founded her own fashion brand, House of Harlow, which began with jewelry and followed with handbags in 2011 and clothing in 2014. Here, she rocked her own House of Harlow fringe clutch. Nicole has always been a fan of the '60s aesthetic.
Even while preggers, Nicole maintained a sleek yet bohemian look and was never loath to show off her baby belly! At an event in 2009, she rocked a black, body hugging dress and a flowy, feminine frock along with a long chain necklace.
Not only was Rachel Zoe Nicole Richie's go-to stylist in the early aughts, but the pair were also attached at the hip. Rachel was a key force in crafting Nicole's mod boho chic style, as seen in this photo of the two of them rocking these dresses at the Teen Vogue Global Warming Dinner in 2006.
Even when Nicole Richie is in all black, she always accessorizes superbly. From the red Chanel chain-link bag to the beige skull scarf and sleek Christian Louboutin boots and brimmed hat, she slayed while shopping at Barney's New York in Los Angeles in 2010.
Not many people can rock a lavender hue like Nicole Richie. Danny Moon, Nicole's colorist, told Us Weekly in 2014 that Nicole "was itching to try a new pastel shade." She did this look justice!
Later in 2014, Nicole Richie branched out into new territory by changing her hair color from purple to blue. This second color metamorphosis cemented Nicole's status as a beauty risk-taker. Here, she rocked a sheer lace and rose dress by Blumarine.
This how we always envision Nicole Richie when we think of her signature style. For an event in Los Angeles in 2011, the style maven looked amazing in a billowy, chiffon purple gown and headband which accentuated her long, wavy locks. How boho!
In a confident sartorial move, the Nicole Richie mixed and matched a sharp jewel-toned silk blouse with trendy high-waisted printed pants for a 2014 television appearance. This is definitely a way to exude a nonconformist yet business-savvy vibe.
Nicole Richie has been known to rock all-white outfits seamlessly. Nicole walked the red carpet at a 2014 gala in Los Angeles in this dramatic white dress and cape along with a sea-blue updo. Although Nicole's outfits appear to have a hefty price tag, she also has that versatile, fashionista "mix and match" approach. For instance, this outfit happens to be from H&M.
At the 2014 Fashion Footwear Association of New York Awards, Nicole Richie rocked a sexy but delicate sheer Vera Wang dress with leaf detailing. Nicole has really perfected this fashion dichotomy between soft and avant-garde.
Nicole Richie is dedicated to her House of Harlow brand. In 2016, the style icon teamed up with Revolve to create an exclusive collection that showcased her trademark boho-chic aesthetic. She described this HOH phase in 2016 as an "L.A.-inspired collection" and rocked this adorable, summery off-the-shoulder pinstriped number flawlessly at an event for the collaboration.
Nicole Richie again showed love for Revolve at a party hosted by the brand during the Coachella music festival in April 2017. Keeping it simple and fresh, Nicole worked it in a peach leotard and cut-off denim shorts. Her casual, fashionable look is a great start for summer.
