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PARIS
HILTON’S
UAE MAKEOVER autumn
SHOPPING edited
DUBAI for
ramadan
METRO
UNDERCOVER
IN RIYADH
fabulous
&
Era
iftar
eid style
Glamour
Of
aed 15 - bhd 1.5 - kwd 1 - omr 1.5 - qar 15
september 2009 arabia
fashion
paris of the
Away from the kitsch environs of Los Angeles, PAris HiLton
unveils her grown-up side exclusively to Bazaar
Words by lulu nichol. Photographs by alan gelati
Styling by Sarah Joan roSS
A sculptured neckline
frames the UAE’s latest
sweetheart. Dress, price
on request, Jil Sander
fashion
he most photographed woman in the world I would wear to a Halloween party, but when I
certainly knows a thing or two about being put it on with all the accessories I just felt like
camera-ready. Twisting her lithe body into an I belonged here. I’m getting so many calls from
‘S’ shape, one hand on hip, lips suggestively L.A. saying: ‘You look like Princess Jasmine’.”
slightly parted, Paris Hilton the icon is as Surrounded by endless rails of crystal-
instantly recognisable as her famous blonde smattered gowns in every shade of pastel; shoes
muses, Barbie and Marilyn Monroe. by Christian Louboutin, YSL and Gina; and
Unlike many celebrities, whose off-duty with every flat surface deployed to display
lives are glimpsed through the long lenses of trinkets and hair accessories, including her
paparazzi in blurred candids, it is rare to see now-signature Louis Mariette headbands,
a photo of Paris that she has not knowingly Paris’s temporary home in the UAE is a tribute
posed for. “Every time I’m going to a red carpet to her shiny, feminine style – and Emirates’
event, I’ll try on like 10 different dresses,” generous new baggage allowances.
she tells Bazaar from her suite at the “I had heard that people were very
InterContinental hotel in Dubai Festival City. conservative here and my friends assumed
“We’ll photograph each one and download it I was going to be fully covered,” she reveals. “I
onto the computer to see which looks best.” was really surprised how fashion forward girls
For today’s shoot, however, the team is are here and how modern and contemporary.
anxious to capture a different side of Paris to There’s definitely a lot of misconceptions about
that seen the world over. So, while the fans the way people dress here. When you’ve never
desperate to catch a glimpse of her been to the Middle East, you don’t know how
in Dubai are as eager as they would be in it’s going to be.”
L.A. (although, unlike in Hollywood, today’s From camel rides in the desert wearing
Hiltonites are wearing abayas), Paris’s posturing Matthew Williamson to modelling new-season
has got to change. Somehow. Nina Ricci and Jil Sander for Bazaar, Paris
Warhol-esque behind her fixed veneer of slipped into her queen of the desert role as
celebrity, Paris Hilton’s never-ending 15 effortlessly as one can when travelling with two
minutes of fame continues to defy the sell-by personal stylists and a hair and make-up artist.
date fated in popular culture. The heiress, Boutique owner Sarah Belhasa is just one
“i keep a lot of my
reality TV show pro, of the local business managers who invested
occasional pop singer and considerable resources in Paris’s trip. “For me,
couture
all-round brand has secured her endorsement is a good platform for when
enduring fame way beyond I want to expand internationally,” Sarah
her TV debut on 2003’s The explains. And what of Paris’s colourful history?
pieces
Simple Life, surviving “That’s her personal life. She came here for
scandals, break-ups and a job and I was here to support her. In a way
make-ups along the way. It is her presence is an advertisement for Dubai.”
Paris’s chequered past – her Love her or hate her, Paris’s impact on the
for when i repeated run-ins with L.A.’s local fashion industry – from wearing regional
ve
ha daughters”
traffic authorities dominated designers such as Georges Chakra and Aiisha
headlines from E! to CNN in Ramadan to Twittering a picture of herself in
the summer of 2007 – that an ‘I Love Dubai’ T-shirt at Villa Moda – has
made her a controversial guest in the Middle been unquestionably positive. “It’s helping the
East in June, when she spent three weeks economy by wearing things that are from here,
filming Paris Hilton’s My Dubai Best Friend because then they’re in magazines and they can
Forever. So it is testament to her star power that sell more,” Paris says. Basic, yes, but if Ms
during the 21 nights of her Dubai stay, five-star Hilton knows one thing, it’s how to sell.
hotels, designer stores, high-end restaurants There are 13 different lines under the Paris
and even – in good humour – a driving school Hilton brand, including bags, sunglasses and
shelled out six-figure sums for the star to shoes. A collection of bejewelled headbands
appear, pose and promote their businesses. will be launched later this year, along with her
With so much at stake, TV execs were at ninth perfume, Siren. “I have design teams for
pains to point out before filming began that every line,” she explains. “Every month I’ll
the Dubai edition of the BFF franchise would make an inspiration book for each one and
be adapted to its cultural environment, they send me back the designs, which I approve
eschewing the usual pole-dancing, cocktail- and make any changes I think are needed.”
Stepping out of the shadows swigging, bikini-grinding format. On message, And if her red-carpet appearances and the BFF
in heavy metal accessories. Paris set a more demure tone from her very first shows (Dubai is the fourth she’s filmed this
Waistcoat, Dhs5,200, Nina press conference in Dubai by wearing a mint year) give Paris her party girl rep, it’s the brand
Ricci. Bra top, price on green gown by Lebanese designer Zahra, which extensions that have made her mistress of an
request, Rachel Roy at Villa
she picked up from Studio 8 on Dubai’s empire. “My main focus is being a
Moda. Necklace, Dhs10,570,
Dolce & Gabbana. Bracelet, Jumeirah Beach Road, and a gold headpiece by businesswoman,” she says. “BFF just pushes all
stylist’s own. Painting: e/e Ef Iz Jewellery, flown in specially from Beirut. my brands. I’m constantly wearing my bags or
by Alex De Fluvia at Cuadro “I’d never worn anything like that before,” she spraying my perfume during the show. It’s like
Fine Art Gallery 2009 says. “On the hanger it looked like something having a commercial for all my products.” ➤
140|Harper’s BAZAAR|September 2009 September 2009|Harper’s BAZAAR|141
fashion
“every time i go toa
red
carpet
event, i try on
10dresses”
Fringe artist: Paris’s
mainstream appeal gets
a rocky edge. Dress, price
on request, Rachel Roy
at Villa Moda. Pumps,
Christian Louboutin. Belt
and bracelets, stylist’s own
142|Harper’s BAZAAR|September 2009 September 2009|Harper’s BAZAAR|143
fashion
Breaking cover in full-length
formalwear. Dress,
Such business savvy means that everything Dhs12,770, dVb by Victoria
Paris does is a transaction (want her to dance Beckham. Belt, Dhs710,
on a table at your nightclub? For a fee, it’ll be Motif 56 at Villa Moda.
written into the contract), so it’s no wonder Paintings: Father of Sun by
she’s reaping the rewards of being one of the Futura and Painting Trains by
world’s wealthiest young women. Prized Stash, both at Cuadro Fine
Art Gallery 2009. All prices
possessions include a custom-made pink approximate.
Bentley inspired by Barbie’s Corvette which is All clothing available at
covered in Swarovski crystals,; a Dolce & Villa Moda in Dubai and
Gabbana full-length crystallised dress; a Harry Kuwait. Shot at Villa Moda
Winston diamond necklace which was a gift and Cuadro Fine Art
from her grandfather; and a 24-carat diamond Gallery at The Gate Village,
ring from her short-lived engagement to Paris DIFC, Dubai. Hair and
make-up: Frederic Aspiras
Latsis, now safely stowed in the bank.
at Margaret Maldanado
So far, so Paris. But, at 28 years old, the Agency. Photographer’s
time is not far off when the Disney-homage assistant: John Pocock.
chihuahuas, cartoonish clothing ensembles and Assistant fashion editor:
abundance of pink are going to become tired. Sally Matthews
What is cutesy on a twenty-something
fast becomes déclassé after the big three-oh.
Fortunately, Paris has a wardrobe of Chanel
suits at home – “when I’m in a board meeting
I’ll dress up and be a little businesswoman” –
and a game plan up her sleeve. “I’m going to
“i was surprised how
fashion
forward
the girls are here”
be producing,” she reveals. “I already have
some show ideas that I won’t be in, but I’ll be
behind the scenes, maybe directing. I also want
to get into real estate and start developing my
own hotels, stores, restaurants and nightclubs.
That’s in my blood from growing up in the
Hilton family – I’ve always watched my
grandfather and my father in the real estate
business. That’s what I want to do when I’m
older and I have a family and children.”
Now newly reunited with boyfriend
Doug Reinhardt, having a family (ideally a
troupe of little girls) is high on Paris’s to-do list.
“I keep a lot of my couture things for when I
have my daughters,” she says with certainty.
Day-dreaming of the children she is yet
to have is one of those rare moments of
unguarded vulnerability during which Bazaar’s
photographer captures the real Paris; the
Paris who photographs herself in 10 different
looks before facing the public, the Paris whose
work ethic has so far thwarted her desire for a
family, the Paris who is perhaps not quite as in
focus as she would have us all believe. What a
relief to know that behind the carefully crafted
façade, Paris Hilton is as real as the rest of us.
Sometimes. n
Seeing double: the Marilyn
skirt offers twice the blonde.
Jacket, Dhs2,480, Vivienne
Westwood Anglomania. Skirt,
Dhs8,060, Dolce & Gabbana
