Before the social media and reality TV stars of today, there was the original It-girl, Paris Hilton, whose velour tracksuits set the tone for an entire generation of influencers. For decades, the hotel heiress has been adored, imitated and often written off as an airhead who was famous for being famous. But her younger sister Nicky Rothschild always knew that image was wide off the mark.
“I think people have learned not to underestimate [influencers],” says Nicky, 42. “I think they’re brilliant and their projects speak for themselves.”
As well as being a singer, DJ and model, Paris, now 45, runs an empire that spans entertainment, beauty, fragrance and wellness.
In contrast, Nicky has always been the more private sibling. While Paris built her life in the full glare of the spotlight, Nicky kept her head down. She has made only a handful of cameos on her family’s various TV shows, including her sister's Paris in Love and Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, in which her mother, Kathy, 67, stars.
Nicky is busy these days focusing on family and her work as a jewellery entrepreneur. Earlier this year, she relocated to London with her husband, British banking scion and financier James Rothschild, 41, and their three children.
Life in London
“I’ve always had a special place in my heart for London,” she says. “My husband's English, so it's been really nice to spend more time with his side of the family. We’re living in Notting Hill, which has made me fall in love with the city. It's so charming and sweet – I love the village vibe.”
Their home is a short walk from Portobello Market, which she visits regularly. “I love getting the fresh flowers and the produce, I love all the vintage clothes and food stalls,” she adds.
Nicky and James first met at the 2011 wedding of Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone's daughter Petra to James Stunt. They married four years later in a lavish ceremony at The Orangery in Kensington Palace, with a reception thrown by the Rothschild family at their sprawling Buckinghamshire estate.
Their move to James’ home country feels like a natural next chapter – but some differences haven’t gone unnoticed by Nicky.
“I’d say London is a more slow-paced version of New York,” Nicky muses. Is that a good thing? She pauses. “It depends how you feel on the day.”
The couple’s children – daughters Lily-Grace, nine, and Theodora, seven, and three-year-old son Chasen – are taking to British life very well. “My three-year-old son has developed a bit of an accent,” she laughs. “He says certain things like ‘water’” – pronounced with clipped English vowels – “and ‘pardon’! I think it's adorable.”
Family Ties
Family anchors her, even though there are now thousands of miles between her and her parents, Kathy and Richard, 70, and siblings Paris, Barron, 36, and Conrad, 32. “We talk every day, all the time,” she says, adding they will all be visiting her in the UK soon.
Kathy recently flew over to shoot the Theo Grace Mother's Day campaign, and the whole family are coming for Wimbledon. In August, they will head to the south coast, where Paris is headlining Brighton & Hove Pride. “We’re all going – it’ll be a family affair,” Nicky says.
Paris has two children – son Phoenix, three, and daughter London, two – with her entrepreneur husband Carter Reum. Could she ever tempt her older sister to relocate to London, too? Nicky lights up at the thought. “She loves London! She lived here back in the early aughts and loved it.”
Charity Work
Nicky is speaking to us at a charity event she’s hosting with her friend, fashion designer Stacey Bendet, at the Alice + Olivia flagship store in Mayfair. They are doing it in support of The Iris Project, a global initiative that funds and connects young environmental leaders.
It is especially meaningful for Nicky as the charity was founded in memory of her late niece, Iris Goldsmith, who was tragically killed in a quad bike accident on her dad’s farm in 2019, aged 15. Iris’s mum, Kate Rothschild, is the older sister of Nicky’s husband James, and her dad is the financier and environmentalist Ben Goldsmith. Iris had been a bridesmaid at Nicky and James’s wedding.
“The Iris Project is something very close to my heart,” Nicky says. “Because of my sister-in-law Kate and Ben Goldsmith – I just think it’s such a beautiful organisation, helping young environmentalists fund these incredible projects. I’m very proud to support them.”
Style and Business
It’s clear that Nicky weaves family into every aspect of her life. Her jewellery line Theo Grace, which she co-founded last year, is named after her two daughters and built entirely around personalisation rather than flash trends.
“With jewellery, more is more,” Nicky says. “But for me, I love jewellery that has meaning. All most of our pieces are customisable.” She shows me the £110 Bee Loved Locket around her neck, which has a sweet family photo tucked inside. “This is probably one of our best sellers. You can go online, upload your favourite photo and do any special engraving. They’re incredible for gifting.”
With her wardrobe, she’s equally as intentional and decisive. “Crop tops are not for me. Birkenstocks are not for me,” she says. “But sweatpants are for me. And I love bows.”
Her daughters are already showing a flair for style, often giving her their input on design ideas. Nicky is open to the idea of them getting involved with the brand when they’re older, but only if it feels “right” for them.
Whatever she – or the next generation of her famous family – puts their mind to, there is one thing we know for certain: never underestimate a Hilton.
