Exclusive: Paris Hilton has always understood the assignment — 'I only want to do things that are iconic'

Paris Hilton loves being called the original influencer. Forget likes, comments and reposts, the heiress’ It-girl status was forged in collective disapproval, from the tabloids to politicians to fellow Hollywood insiders. Yet, it was her polarising personality that proved to be her superpower. Her blingy Y2K red carpet looks, open embrace of the tacky and undimmable conspicuity garnered a devoted following among teens desperate to glimpse the world she inhabited.

Myself included. Since childhood, Paris has occupied a space in my brain like no other. She was a looking glass into another dimension, one filled with Beverly Hills mansions, kitten heels and bug-eyed chihuahuas. The unfiltered glitz and glamour of the heiress’ Los Angeles existence felt entirely alien to a Nineties child raised in the British countryside. Her face was ubiquitous across pop culture magazines in the early Noughties; her diamanté-flecked outfits symbolising the otherworldiness of old money America, while her Fendi Baguettes, honeyed tan and Mona Lisa smile crystallised celebrity at its most untouchable. 

The woman who gave us Juicy Couture tracksuits, inspired The Suite Life’s London Tipton and sent conservative mothers into a spin sits across from me on Microsoft Teams; her camera off - adding to the mystique. The Paris Hilton - who has just teamed up with Karl Lagerfeld to be the face of the latest collection.

“People would always say I was famous for being famous, but really I was just ahead of my time,” she candidly recalls, her Valley girl drawl more subtle off camera. “In so many ways I understood the power of building a personal brand very early on. Now, we call it the creator economy, but back then there wasn’t even a name for it. Today, being a creator is respected as a real entrepreneurship and I love that I was able to really inspire so many people in that way. I always believe that you should turn your life into your greatest creation.”

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During the 2000s, the era which she has since become synonymous with, the star was subjected to widespread criticism. Portrayed as an air-headed party girl emblematic of entitlement and excess, Paris was frequently crucified by the media - which she has since dubbed misogynistic and cruel. No matter, she continued to lean into her public persona, arming herself with a deliciously Y2K, slogan-clad wardrobe to match.

“It wasn’t like I planned to be the biggest influencer. I wasn't even thinking like that,” the 44-year-old says when I ask if her image was preconceived. “Everything I’ve always done is very authentic to me. People didn’t like the fashion I wore, but now it’s everywhere. But people back then didn’t even understand it.”

From the get-go, it’s clear that the 2000s poster girl is totally herself - refreshing considering today’s tidal wave of nepo babies rejecting their heritage. She understood the power of self-branding long before social media entered stage left, leveraging the popularity of her show The Simple Life to muscle her way to the forefront of pop culture’s imagination.

She has remained there ever since. Today, the mother-of-two helms her own media company (11:11), owns a celebrity fragrance empire that has generated over $2.5 billion in revenue globally, ranks among the highest-paid female DJs in the world, has penned three autobiographies, released one studio album and multiple singles, all while leveraging her platform to advocate for vulnerable youth, expose and reform abusive institutional systems, and support children’s healthcare, global disaster relief, and the LGBTQ+ community.

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Regardless, it was Paris’ IRL Elle Woods persona that captured the attention of newspapers 20 years ago. "Bimbo Summit" read one 2006 newspaper headline, when an infamous 2006 paparazzi shot of Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan and Paris was published. Another glared: “The whiff of fading fame around a cyborg Barbie.”

“I’ve been wearing Barbiecore before anyone knew the name Barbiecore,” the Manhattan native says, reclaiming the narrative. “People said ‘Oh, that's too much pink, too many sparkles’ and now I love that fashion has caught up with me and people can have fun with fashion. I've been someone who's always just been myself and I've never followed trends. I loved creating my own looks and back then I didn't even have a stylist, no agent, no publicist, nothing. It’s so cool to see so many people inspired by those looks today.”

And indeed, they are. #Y2K has anchored over 4.6 million posts on TikTok, with signature 2000s bag silhouettes like the Chloé Paddington, Fendi Spy and Louis Vuitton Speedy soaring in demand. There are currently 2.87 million search results for the style on Depop, with rhinestone-embellished crop tops, baby pink knitted tees, chainmail party pieces, and low-rise jeans selling like hotcakes. Clearly, the Paris Hilton effect cannot be overstated. 

Her effect on trending arm candy is perhaps her greatest contribution, with the society sweetheart citing sunglasses, fingerless gloves, Dior Saddle Bags and her 21st birthday dress, a chainmail Julien McDonald creation, (“the most iconic dress ever made”) among her favourites. Yet, many of her archival Noughties pieces were swiped by The Bling Ring, a group of seven Calabasas locals who broke into the homes of several high-profile celebrities between 2008 and 2009. It was believed that the group stole approximately $2 million worth of jewellery, clothing and cash from the heiress across seven break-ins.

“Those kids who broke into my house took many iconic pieces from the 2000s. It's heartbreaking when I think back on it,” Paris reflects, asking if I'd seen Sofia Coppola’s 2013 cinematic recreation of the event in which she starred. 

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“I have always loved and looked up to Karl - he's had such a huge impact on fashion"

Did the public offer any sympathy? Zilch. The affluent are rarely afforded compassion following such examples of misfortune, but the ‘celebutante’ does not shy away from addressing her privilege: “There have been so many misconceptions. People see the last name Hilton and they assume ‘Oh, she has a silver spoon and was handed everything and has never worked a day in her life.’ But those are obviously people who have no idea of just how hard I’ve worked and the empire that I’ve created.”

And, she shows no signs of slowing down. Paris has joined forces with Karl Lagerfeld as the face of the brand’s spring/summer 2026 collection, honouring the legacy of the late creative director who was also a long-time friend. The two first met at Valentino Garavani's house during her first Paris Fashion Week aged 19. DJ-ing gigs at his restored 18th-century estate, the Château d'Isle-sur-Marne, near Paris soon followed, The pair shared a penchant for distinctive style, humour and a touch of controversy. 

“He was just one of those people that was such a force in fashion,” she notes. “When he was wearing the sunglasses, it seemed like he’d be someone who was unapproachable. But knowing him personally, he had such a big heart and this really fun, sweet side to him, which I loved seeing.”

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The late visionary, who passed away from cancer in February 2019, was also no stranger to a crass headline or two. His tongue could be as sharp as his starched collars, yet confessed in 2007 that his controversial persona was an act. Paris stresses that those who knew Karl, “the real Karl,” could attest to his softer side: “I have always loved and looked up to Karl. He's had such a huge impact on fashion and was someone I loved on a personal level as well.”

In 2006, during his prolific tenure at Chanel, the designer launched his eponymous brand, which pipped Paris at its new muse back in November of last year: “I love all the collections. They make such beautiful clothes, and I love that they make kids' clothes too. My kids look so cute in all the outfits that they have - like the pieces with cartoon Karl and Choupette on them.”

Choupette - the living legend that is Lagerfeld's blue-cream Birman cat. So fabled is this feline, that Jared Leto donned a human-size Choupette costume for the 2023 Met Gala, entitled Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty. Rumours even swirled that her famed owner left $1.3 million in his will reserved for her care and joked to CNN that he would marry her if he could. 

“Choupette is living and sliving her best life,” Paris reassures me, uttering her trademark phrase across the line (slaying + living = #sliving). “The most iconic cat in the world - and she’s modelling, she’s slaying, and busy being iconic just like her dad."

"[Karl] had such a big heart and this really fun, sweet side to him"

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"She's the boss here. It's: ‘When I want, how I want and if I want to be brushed, I'll be brushed. If I don't want to be brushed, I won't be brushed.' And it's the same about everything. If I tell her: ‘No, you have to be brushed,' she will growl. She will leave without letting me. That's how she is," Françoise Caçote told HELLO! back in April 2025. The designer’s former housekeeper has been charged with looking after his precious companion, who like Ms Hilton, continues to champion Karl’s unmatched legacy.

What’s next for Paris? Spending time with her family at home and continuing her creative pursuits. “My favourite thing is to be with my babies and my puppies at home. We cook together, make art in our art room, run around the backyard and go on our water slide. I also love being on stage; performing and singing my songs and being with my fans. I want to bring them joy and happiness through my music.”

While her posse of small dogs, Iconic Princess Hilton, Crypto, Ether, Diamond and Baby (three Pomeranians and two Chihuahuas) are of the utmost importance to the media maven, her two children take priority: “I’m always putting my kids first. I’m always learning to protect my schedule and learning to say the word ‘no’. Everyday, there are so many offers coming in from all around the world and it's a lot. I have told my team that I only want to do things that are iconic, that are major, that move the needle, that are fun or that make an impact.”

She continues: “I try to bring my kids with me everywhere we go. Anytime I travel we fly together and we always make it part of a family trip as well as the work because it's a lot to balance - but I always want to put my babies first.”

Does she have any far-flung trips planned? Duh! For a joint birthday-Valentine’s Day treat, her husband Carter Reum is taking her to Turks and Caicos with family and friends: “Carter always plans special Valentine’s surprises for me. He gets me beautiful diamonds and writes beautiful cards. I love making him things - I take all these amazing photos of us with the kids and then I cut them out and glue them onto a framed canvas. Then I put sparkles on them.” Note to self, tell boyfriend to up his game. 

It’s impossible to dislike Paris Hilton. Quips aside, she is truly and unapologetically her authentic self, one that is showered in jewels come Valentine’s, a #SlivingMom who flies via #SlivAir (her pink private jet) and friend to the stars including Kim Kardashian, Donatella Versace and, of course, the great late Karl Lagerfeld. 

There is no trace of faux modesty here, but wouldn’t it feel icky if there was?: “I feel that I’ve always stayed true to myself,” Paris says matter-of-factly. “It’s really just about being authentic. There is such power in vulnerability. I’m using my story to help make a difference in the world and impact people’s lives. I feel so proud of the woman I am, how strong I am and everything I’ve been through and how I can help inspire people around the world.”

An activist, ally, and icon through and through, Paris has played both villain and hero - and critics still trail behind. But she doesn’t care. She’s far too busy being iconic, in every sense of the word. 

The KARL LAGERFELD Spring/Summer 26 collection is available on www.karllagerfeld.com