As an artist and creative type, Nicky Hilton Rothschild was never meant to blend in with the crowd.
The socialite and former model shared today at the 30th annual Footwear News Achievement Awards how much she dreaded having to wear a demure uniform as a youngster while attending Catholic school, but she did find a way to highlight her individuality.
“We weren’t allowed to wear nail polish or makeup, so our shoes were the only way were allowed to express ourselves,” she shared with FN at the footwear industry’s “shoe Oscars.”
“You had to wear saddle shoes, but in middle school, you were able to wear your own choice,” she added. “It was the ‘90s, so [I wore] Keds and Converse.”
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Much like her sister Paris Hilton — who has a perfume, shoe line and accessories — Nicky is also a designer, with a clothing, handbag and jewelry line. But her eponymous empire is expanding: “I’m working on a design project right now and it would be amazing to do shoes one day, but until then I’ll wear everybody else’s.”
One source of inspiration for Hilton Rothschild is the FNAA’s 2016 Shoe of the Year winner, Rihanna.
“I’m excited to see Rihanna. She always turns it out on the red carpet,” she said of the Fenty x Puma designer. “She’s very original and she never follows the trends — she sets the trends.”
The FNAAs are sponsored by FFANY, Zappos Luxury, FDRA and Two Ten.
