The Hills are alive …with the sound of cash registers going ka-ching. “Hills” star Lauren Conrad has her own fashion and bag line. Take that Heidi!
“I’m serious about my lines and I do them as a designer and not as someone on a reality show. I wanted to create a brand that will last longer than my TV series,” says Conrad calling from her Hills home a few days before Christmas. No, she’s not romancing Brody Jenner, but wrapping a few specially designed gifts for friends. (It’s good to be an FOL — friend of Lauren. See below!)
Conrad has teamed with L.A.-based accessory company Linea Pelle to debut a new line of her designed clutches and handbags. The star of “The Hills” goods will be available online only at lpcollection.com and shoplaurenconrad.com.
There is a coin purse ($45), a clutch ($145) and a tote bag ($350). The bags are classic black to dark olive green to deep mahogany and some have decorative chain detailing for what Conrad calls a “chic, urban” feel. Lauren also has a fashion line of laid-back, flowing dresses and tops including a gorgeous silk teal bubble dress that has graced the pages of many magazines.
CP: Was designing clothes and bags a dream of yours for a long time?
LC: I’ve always wanted to design clothes and then the bags came to me as an opportunity. I’ve always loved Linea bags so it was a great fit and they allowed me to do my own twist on it. As for the bags, I like purses with a more simple design. Now there are a lot of bags with tons of hardware on them. Mine have a simple chain. I wanted the bags to be classic because when I spend money on a bag I want to use it for as many seasons as possible.”
CP: Your bags aren’t as expensive as some of the lines out there.
LC: The criticism I got at first was that I wasn’t making my line affordable to fans. That’s one of my goals.
CP: Lauren, love the tote bag because it gives you a lot of room.
LC: When I designed a tote bag I wanted it big enough to fit magazines into it. I’m always traveling, plus I’m a student. You need a lot of room in those bags. Plus my bag has a clip so you can make it look smaller.”
CP: Define your own style when you’re not filming the show.
LC: I like to be comfortable in my clothes. I love the empire cut when it comes to shirts and dresses. It’s also something that’s great if you don’t have a perfect body. Who needs tight stuff? Most women are happy with a little give in their clothes. What I wear depends on my mood. I do love wearing dresses. They’re just easier. I love, love, love 3.1. Phillip Lim [available at Nordstroms and Neiman Marcus]. He does these really feminine details on his clothing and each piece of really special.
CP: Are you a shoe gal?
LC: [laughing] I’m a huge shoes girl. I bought this big bookshelf that I installed on the wall in my bedroom. I keep all my good shoes on it. You almost display the shoes that way. Shoes are like art to me. They need to be displayed. I used to wear mostly flip-flops, but I only own a few pairs now. Now I love my Miu Miu flats with costume jewelry on them. I love Christian Louboutin shoes. They’re soooo beautiful. I try to buy only the basic shoes there because they’re a little pricy and I feel guilty buying them. But they’re such a classic design.
CP: Can you actually walk in very high heels?
LC: I love heels and I’ve gotten pretty good at walking in them. My highest pair is six-inch platforms. I’m clumsy, but I’ve found out that you take extra care if you’re in heels so it’s actually easier to walk in them.
CP: Now that we’re in such a girly mood what are your makeup secrets. Do you also have a few inexpensive skin care tips?
LC: I do use Mark, which is Avon’s younger brand [She’s a spokesperson for the line]. Every few weeks I get a shipment of it. The truth is as much as I love shopping, I don’t like shopping for makeup. It’s all about the lighting in the store. So I think of makeup shopping like looking for a bikini in the winter. I like to get makeup at my home and try the new colors in a natural light. …As for skin care, I’ve been using ProActive forever. I didn’t have good skin in high school and this is the only thing that keeps my skin clear now. You do have to use it regularly for the best results.
CP: What’s your accessory advice? Is less more?
LC: I love special accessories. For Christmas I designed jewelry for my friends. Remember how last season everyone had those nameplate necklaces. Now that’s old. So I had nameplates made for my friends in 14 karat gold, but I had the jeweler take those nameplates and make them into rings that go across two fingers. You wear two actual rings and the name covers both fingers. Now that’’s something special. I also love to get and give scarves in every color imaginable. I think they’re great. I think everyone on my holiday list is getting a scarf.
Q: You’re going to Paris on future episodes of “The Hills.” How will that influence your designs?
Lauren: I’ve just been to Paris and it’s 99 percent for sure I’m going to do a fall fashion show. Paris was wonderful, but I’ll always just design for myself. My style changes all the time. Being in Europe, I was touched by how beautiful everything is …breathtaking in the details.
CP: Who has the best sense of style in Hollywood these days and why?
LC: I’ve always loved the way Ashley Olsen dresses. I love the Olsen twin style. They really will try everything. These girls don’t follow a trend. They set their own trends. Anyone can open a magazine and dress the way they tell you to dress. It takes time to create your own style and the Olsens are brave and take risks. I take risks, too, wearing my clothes on the show. I’ve worn the entire line.
CP: OK, tell us everything that will happen in the future of “The Hills.” We gotta ask.
LC: [laughing] I’m not supposed to talk about it. When I give things away, I get in trouble!
Source: suntimes.com
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