Nicole Richie named Style Influencer of the Year

Fashionista, socialite and author Nicole Richie has been recognised for her trendsetting ways.

She was crowned the Style Influencer of the Year by the Accessories Council's ACE Awards held in New York on 7 November.

Richie was given the award due to her House of Harlow 1960 and Winter Kate Collections, which she designed herself.

She attended the event in a black, cleavage-baring column dress and accessorised with her wedding band, a ring and a simple necklace.

Richie recently told WWD about her fashion: "It's whatever I feel comfortable in at that time. I really look at fashion as a form of self-expression."

She is the adopted daughter of soul singer Lionel Richie and first made a name for herself when she appeared in the reality show ' The Simple Life' with Paris Hilton from 2003.

Since then, she has appeared in other TV shows and written two novels, as well as setting up her own fashion label - House of Harlow - in 2008.

Richie has two children, daughter Harlow who is three, and two-year-old Sparrow, with her husband Joel Madden.