For some of Paris Hilton’s fashion faux pas, I’d never have thought she’d go for the ‘hippie’ look but apparently, the powers-that-be that selected, Hanne Whitfield as designer for Paris Hilton’s eponymous clothing line thinks Hanne is the right gal for the job!
Paris Hilton may be making a stop at the Toronto Islands bingo night if Hanne Whitfield gets her way. That’s because the lifelong island girl - complete with arty hippie parents, “Peace on Earth” button on her lapel, a mop of curls that hasn’t met a comb in 20 years and not a scrap of makeup - has just been named head designer for Hilton’s new eponymous clothing line.
“The whole thing is a little bit bizarre,” Ms. Whitfield admits with a laugh. “We’re kind of like the Odd Couple. Maybe opposites attract.
A graduate of the International Academy of Design & Technology, Ms. Whitfield left two years ago to make a go of it in the Big Apple, landing a job as the women’s wear designer for streetwear label Triple Five Soul. There, she met another transplanted Canadian, Stacey Griffin, the marketing manager at design company Dollhouse. Soon after they started working with Ms. Hilton, Ms. Whitfield landed the high-profile gig of designing clothes with the world’s most famous celebutante.
“A lot of people who we interviewed were just a little … too serious,” Ms. Griffin says about the aspiring impresarios who jostled for the job.
“The line is very fun and girly and colourful, so they could see with Hanne’s personality that she got the vibe.”
Though the hotel heiress is reportedly involved in creating the line, doing everything from picking fabrics to perusing sketches, Ms. Whitfield hasn’t met her yet. (Though Ms. Hilton is in town these days, filming the movie Repo! The Genetic Opera and hosting a party at the Government Oct. 20, the two apparently won’t cross paths.)
But is Ms. Whitfield a fan?
“I’m a fan of her tabloid escapades,” she admits cheerfully. “I find her really interesting. This person is a brand, and that’s such an American invention, and an invention of our time. I want us to put a T-shirt out that says, ‘Born Branded.’ ”
The Paris Hilton line (featuring bows, ruffles, gold sequins and pictures of Chihuahuas) is not yet available in Canada. But its low prices - the top price so far is $129 - and ridiculously recognizable spokeswoman have already made it a U.S. hit. This summer, the Los Angeles debut caused mass frenzy: Helicopters hovered overhead and the street had to be closed.
“Hanne is so down-to-earth and Paris is so up-with-the-clouds. Maybe that’s what Paris needs: a little bit of Hanne.”
And how is Paris going to help Hanne?
“She’ll help me with my bank account,” Ms. Whitfield deadpans. “I can pay off my Canadian student loan.”
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