Exclusive image: Princess Beatrice of York attends the Nicky Hilton x Rebecca Vallance collection launch at Gaia Credit: Hoda Davaine
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Harrods gets ready for a true style icon to peruse the most eminent collections in the lavishly decorous Knightsbridge landmark; and – perhaps most importantly – the most dazzling doyennes of high society clear their calendars as the queen of the USA’s fashion scene heads over to the British capital. Indeed, the whole of Mayfair seems to fizz with an unbridled air of elegance when Mrs Hilton Rothschild heads to the United Kingdom.
For this voyage to old Blighty, however, Hilton Rothschild came with baggage. Arriving on the verge of party season, she’s filled her luggage with the ultimate answer for heady nights on the social scene: a glitz-ladened collaboration with designer du jour Rebecca Vallance. A firm favourite of It-girls, aristos and real-life princesses, the likes of Holly Ramsay, Zara Tindall and Princess Beatrice have all been known to slip into Vallance’s sequin-and-crystal-clad minidresses on a night out, and now Vallance’s quintessential glamour gets an heiress-led update with plenty of party-ready pomp.
It’s a collaboration that was born oh-so-naturally in the birthplace of all things fabulous in the modern age – the DMs. ‘I’d been wearing Rebecca’s designs for a while and I was trying to track down this dress, so I reached out on Instagram. I got the dress and a friendship was formed’, says Hilton Rothschild. ‘Nicky has always been such a muse [to me], she’s such a Rebecca Vallance girl. She’s so elegant and refined, yet she’s so down to earth with her personality – we hit it off immediately,’ Vallance adds.
Having grown closer over the years with a shared penchant for all things gorgeous, it was in September of last year that the pair finally decided to put together this sparkling endeavour. ‘We always knew that this would be a party collection, the holidays are our favourite time of year. Lots of glitter, lots of sparkles, lots of bows – it’s very aligned with our vibe,’ Hilton Rothschild recalls. So excited by the premise of this mesmerising meeting of minds à la mode, Saks, Harrods and MyTheresa all agreed to sell the line, even though they had only been shown sketches and no samples – a feat that many brands would gasp at.
One year later, that famed Brompton Road fashion bolthole is the reason the diamond-adorned duo are here, as the Nicky Hilton x Rebecca Vallance collection has landed in store. ‘Harrods is the most iconic department store in the world. Walking there today with Rebecca and seeing our little shop there was a real pinch-me moment,’ says Hilton Rothschild. No stranger to its opulent interiors and ultra-fine fares, the designer fondly remembers visiting as a child, ‘I remember when I would come [to London] with my family growing up, we would be staying at Claridge’s, and Harrods would be first on the list – then Hamleys. But first and foremost, Harrods.’ Now she’s passing on that magic to her own daughters, ‘I took my girls to the toy floor, it was very hectic,’ she laughs.
The line boasts a bevvy of gorgeous gowns, heavily embellished with shining accoutrements. Crystal bows adorn merlot-red evening looks, lattice pearl collars shimmer upon full-pailette minis, and ice-blue tea-dresses serve lashings of chic in sequin-threaded lace throughout the 32-piece-strong collection. ‘I’ve never done clothing at this price point. You’re able to play with really fine, expensive material, and Rebecca’s quality is A-class all the way. It was a lot of fun, just creating the ultimate party collection – it just makes you want to dress up and go out dancing,’ says Hilton Rothschild.
Of course, only a sparkling soirée of the highest calibre would suit to launch its UK release, and the pair put on an outrageously fabulous fête to celebrate at Dover Street’s sceney Gaia restaurant. Three princesses (Beatrice of York, Firyal of Jordan and Alia Al-Senussi of Libya), two Spencers (Amelia and Eliza) and one Real Housewife (the couture-collecting Sutton Stracke, of course) were all on hand to raise a glass of pink Bird in Hand fizz, dressed to thrill in the collection’s sizzling silhouettes. Lady Mary Charteris was on the decks, fuelling the party with marvellous melodies, while Alice Naylor-Leyland and Olivia Buckingham looked the picture of elegance in their burgundy and lace numbers, respectively.
As the resident social sovereign for the evening, Hilton Rothschild shared her thoughts on what makes the perfect party ensemble: ‘Don’t be boring. Always sparkle. I think with accessories, more is more. The holidays are not about quiet luxury. It’s your time to shine.’ And with her string of glimmering gowns now a certified hit among the glitterati, her words have never rung truer.
It’s a short but sweet whistlestop tour for Vallance and Hilton Rothschild who flew out in the early hours of the following morning, but London sleeps easy now it has had a sumptuous serving of Hilton magic. If you’re looking to be the diamond of the season, I might suggest heading to Harrods immediately.
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