House of Harlow

There was a point in time at which I would’ve never—and I mean NEVER—taken style tips from Nicole Richie. I’m sure you know the Nicole Richie to which I’m referring, but just in case, here’s some visual evidence of her cringeworthy former self:

For years, her look represented the perfectly awkward storm of poor fit, too-tan skin and mismatched accessories. Then, in a flash, Nicole revamped her image and bowled over Hollywood with a swan-like fashion metamorphosis. Her quirky-chic ensembles made the weekly style pages with astounding regularity, impressing fans and naysayers alike.

Alas, her personal life wasn’t quite as put-together as her new-and-improved wardrobe; she endured an all-too-public up-and-down battle with her weight and got busted for driving under the influence in late 2006 (believe it or not, she’s still attending court-mandated driver’s education classes for the offense).

Shortly after her arrest, however, Nicole cleaned up her act, channeling her energy into a stable long-term relationship with Good Charlotte rocker Joel Madden. This relationship resulted not only in the birth of two little ones–could her life get any more picket-fence?—but also in the formation of a non-profit called the Richie-Madden Children’s Foundation.

Nicole’s newfound calm soon manifested itself in her career. Half a year after the birth of her daughter Harlow, she parlayed her reputation for boho-chic street style into an appropriately-named vintage-inspired jewelry line called House of Harlow 1960.

This collaboration struck the perfect balance between high and low, earning serious industry cred from the involvement of storied jeweler Pascal Mouawad and accolades from trend-obsessed bargain hunters. (After all, most of the collection tops out at $100—as Nicole says, “I like things to be eclectic and comfortable.”)

As of this week, AKIRA shoppers can get their hands on HOH goods online (can’t you just hear the collective squeal of excitement echoing around Chicagoland?).

It’s difficult to winnow down offerings that are already so spot-on, but if I had to pick favorites I would choose the following:

1. The Peacock Statement Ring, featured in the new AKIRA lookbook picture above: There’s nothing prettier than a real peacock’s splayed plumage—but this enameled version comes pretty darn close. I would pair this with a whimsically-printed blue dress and gold wedges—it’s strong enough to make an outfit pop.
2. The Gold Locket: I’ll admit that I’m a total sucker for any and all lockets—there’s just something so charming and antique-y about them—but you don’t have to share my level of obsession in order to love this piece. It’s sizeable without bordering on the obnoxious, and could work with a button-down and jeans or a silky maxi.