Nicole Richie builds the designer dream

The Simple Life star is preparing to launch a ready-to-wear line, Winter Kate.

Not content with putting herself firmly on the fashion agenda with jewellery line House Of Harlow 1960 and a collaborative maternity range, Nicole for A Pea In The Pod, Nicole Richie is branching out into ready-to-wear with a new collection, Winter Kate.

"It feels as though I've always been working on this collection, but officially I started putting it together in early 2009," says the reality TV star-turned-designer, who chose her eldest daughter Harlow's two middle names as the title for her womenswear debut. "I've wanted to design a clothing collection for a very long time."

Debuting in US stores such as Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, and Saks Fifth Avenue in February, the 37-piece line (which will be available to buy online exclusively via my-wardrobe.com in the UK) is all about keeping it simple - hence an emphasis on tops, vests and bed jackets that can easily be incorporated into any busy, modern woman's wardrobe.

"Fashion should be accessible. That was my philosophy when designing House Of Harlow 1960 and it remains my philosophy for Winter Kate," Richie tells WWD. "I probably wear the same two pairs of jeans every day as the background to a fabulous top. Bed jackets are a staple of my wardrobe because they are a gorgeous way to give jeans and a white T-shirt a completely different look."

As a busy mother of two, Richie - who gave birth to her second child, son Sparrow, last month - knows a thing or two about clever dressing. The debut collection draws heavily on her own bohemian style and includes a standout peacock print, as well as slip dresses and a shrunken leather jacket.

Picture: Nicole Richie making her first public appearance following Sparrow's birth, at the first annual Noble Awards in Beverly Hills at the weekend.