7 fashion icons that got their start on reality TV

Before they were fashion icons, famous models or fashion brand founders, these A-list celebrities and designers made their humble introductions to fame on reality TV. Who would have thought a little reality TV would bring us these recognizable names?

Fashion designer Lauren Conrad famously got her start on MTV’s Laguna Beach during her senior year of high school. Her MTV fame continued with its spin-off series The Hills, which chronicled the lives of Lauren and her friends living in Los Angeles. After three years on the show, L.C. wrapped up her reality TV career and became an author and a fashion designer. The married mother-of-two is now a designer, entrepreneur, and host of the “Asking for a Friend” podcast.

Bella and Gigi Hadid both made appearances on their mom Yolanda Hadid’s reality TV show The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills on seasons 3 through 6. We saw them at very young years right as their modeling careers were beginning .

After their Housewives debuts, Bella and Gigi’s modeling careers took off and the Hadid sisters are now some of the world’s most sought-after models. Gigi has even gone on to be a host on the fashion reality TV show, Next in Fashion, along side another fashion icon, Tan France. Bella has been busy both on and off the runway as well – teasing the launch of her mysterious new beauty brand, Orebella, set to launch on May 2.

Reality TV star turned fashion influencer Olivia Palermo gained her celebrity status on the MTV show The City from 2008 to 2010. During her stint on The Hills spinoff series, O.P. worked for Diane von Fürstenberg and Elle magazine. She now is a globally recognized fashion influencer and model and has collaborated with some of the most recognizable names in fashion.

Aside from her very famous father (hi Lionel), Nicole Richie got her introduction to stardom through the reality series The Simple Life with her then-BFF Paris Hilton. The now-iconic series aired from 2003-2007 and depicted Nicole and Paris (two well-off socialities) working ordinary jobs in middle America. After her stint on the show, Nicole made appearances on NBC’s Fashion Star and her own show, Candidly Nicole. She also appeared as a guest judge on the fashion show, Making the Cut. She began her “House of Harlow 1960” fashion brand in 2008 and has two children with her husband, “Good Charlotte” singer Joel Madden.

Designer Christian Siriano began his career in the spotlight after winning season 4 of the design competition show Project Runway. His namesake fashion line Christian Siriano debuted at New York Fashion Week in September 2008 and he opened his first flagship store in New York in 2012. Today he is a member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) and his gowns have been worn to events like the Oscars, the Emmys, and the MET Gala.

Another fashion icon that got her start on the legendary  Real Housewives of Beverly Hills – Amelia Gray Hamlin is no stranger to the spotlight. She was featured on several episodes of the hit reality show, thanks to her mother Lisa Rinna. Little did we know back then that she would go on to become one of biggest rising stars on the runway.

She has since gone on to walk for major brands like Diesel, Chanel, Versace, and Jean Paul Gaultier. She has also appeared in campaigns for Vivienne Westwood, Miu Miu, Courreges, H&M, and Givenchy.

Love ’em or hate ’em there’s no denying that the Kardashian/Jenner clan have come a long way from there original reality show days. We’ve literally watched them build their empire through the lens of their long-running show, Keeping up with the Kardashians.

Kim has gone on to launch the highly successful Skims, Khloe focuses on inclusive denim with Good American, and Kylie recently launched her own fashion line Khy – along with her viral beauty brand.