Nicole Richie Talks Big New Career Moves, Dubsmash, and Her "Really Fly" Girl Squad

Btw, it was a rap group named Caution.

Mouth, Flowerpot, Room, Dress, Shelf, Houseplant, Thigh, Tan, Blond, Shelving,
(Image credit: Archives)

Once upon a time, a style-nirvana-level fashion line was launched—a little thing you might know as House of Harlow 1960.

And now, after seven years, designer Nicole Richie has finally given her collection a brick and mortar locale: a pop-up shop at The Grove in Los Angeles that will run from July 3-16. And everything—from the distinctly '60s and '70s threads, to the antique furnishings, to the in-store playlist (enter The Rolling Stones and Janis Joplin)—is her brand of retro cool.

In honor of the store's launch and her upcoming season of Candidly Nicole, we caught up with Richie on what's going on as of late, including her girl squad (or lack therof), blossoming friendship with The Fat Jewish, and adventures in scatting with The Game.

Congrats on your pop-up shop—we've been waiting for this moment! What do you love most about translating your House of Harlow vision into a physical space?

"The coolest part about this pop-up shop was I got to pick everything out and really start from scratch. It was a blank canvas for me. I didn't want this just to just be a representation of House of Harlow, but more about everything that inspires me to create for it. We pulled furniture from all of my favorite stores around L.A.—some of the pieces are antique. Everything in the store is for sale."

You created House of Harlow seven years ago. In your mind, how has the brand evolved?

"I went into it really green with no experience. I was coming from more of a creative place and there's just so much to think about when you're starting a brand. This industry is full of hurdles and I don't think it makes a difference if you're a known person or not. Through the process, I've gotten to understand myself and my aesthetic more, and that journey has been incredible. When you're growing and changing, your eye changes. Your perspective changes. It's kind of cool to go through that process with yourself."

We hear you hairstylist Danny Moon will be doing custom hair color at the shop— how do you keep your hair looking healthy will all those rainbow hues?

"If you have colored hair, every time you wash it it's a different color. It never truly stays the same hue. The variety just kind of naturally happens. My everyday hair routine for my hair is just to slick it back with coconut oil. I like to work on healing my hair, especially during the summer. I just rock a slick back with coconut oil. I like to nourish."

So, because girl squads seem to be all that anyone's talking about these days, we must know: Do you have one?

"My most memorable girl squad that I was a part of was my rap group, called Caution, when I was about 9 years old. And, you know, we were really fly and we wrote half of a song. We were really dope. Other than that, I don't really consider us a girl squad, but I grew up here in L.A., so my best friends have been my best friends since I was two years old."

Fair enough. We saw recently you were palling around with The Fat Jewish. He seems like he'd make solid girl-squad material, what with his White Girl Rosé and all. You two seem like kindred spirits.

"Because we look alike or because we're both Jewish? [Laughs] We did a short video for Candidly Nicole. And he's suuuper funny, very quick—very smart. Definitely a jokester, but for sure the head of his own joke. So respect to him."

Speaking of Candidly Nicole, we can't wait for the new season. What's the biggest highlight we have to look forward to?

"Well, I did scat for The Game, which I thought was really exciting. And turns out, I'm really good at it. He thought I was talented. When you're in the room with The Game, things just naturally happen. Your artistic juices start flowing."

Lastly, your fam has unrivaled Dubsmash game. Do you have any tips?

"My kids love Dubsmash. That's their new favorite thing. I've had to change the password on my phone because they've been breaking in and going on Dubsmash which is not filtered for kids. So, it's important that if your kids are on it, you have to be there. Parental guidance is a must."

Lauren Valenti
Beauty Editor

Lauren is the former beauty editor at Marie Claire. She love to while away the hours at coffee shops, hunt for vintage clothes, and bask in the rough-and-tumble beauty of NYC. She firmly believes that solitude can be a luxury if you’ve got the right soundtrack—that being the Rolling Stones, of course.