“I remember the first time we met,” Paris Hilton said of the late Karl Lagerfeld.

They were at the home of Valentino Garavani, founder of the Roman fashion house.

“Karl took his camera out and started taking a bunch of pictures of my sister and myself and Princess Marie-Chantal and a bunch of our friends,” Hilton recalled. “I just remember that first time he looked at me in his iconic way, the sunglasses on, his gloves, his fan in his hand. We immediately had this connection.”

Now that Hilton, 44, has been tapped to front Karl Lagerfeld’s fall 2025 campaign, “From Paris With Love,” she sat down with WWD and reflected on her strong rapport with the late German designer — and her burgeoning business empire.

“Karl has definitely been an influence in fashion for me forever,” said Hilton, who playfully channels both Lagerfeld and the house’s spirit in the campaign. Spanish model and actor Jon Kortajarena appears alongside her as the face of Karl Lagerfeld Menswear.

“I just feel like being the face of this Karl Lagerfeld campaign is such a dream come true, because it’s not just about fashion, it’s really about celebrating someone who changed the world of style and fashion forever,” Hilton continued.

Shot by Chris Colls, the series of photographs showcase black-and-white imagery — long synonymous with Lagerfeld’s aesthetic.

“He was just always so kind, always so funny, so cool,” Hilton said. “And I just loved that when you talked to him, even in a room full of people, he always made you feel like the moment was yours. He had this really special way about him.”

Both Lagerfeld and Hilton helped define an era where celebrity became synonymous with brand. Hilton, whose personal style came to epitomize the early 2000s, has since evolved into a savvy entrepreneur.

From reality TV fame on “The Simple Life” to her work as a recording artist and DJ, designer, author, investor, philanthropist and model, Hilton has built a portfolio of cross-category partnerships.

Today she is the majority stakeholder of 11:11 Media, the company she launched in 2021. Under its umbrella she recently introduced Parívie, a skin care line within 11:11 Beauty, while also marking the debut of her 30th fragrance, Iconic, at Ulta Beauty in partnership with Parlux.

Beyond beauty, she’s been in the studio recording her third album ahead of an upcoming tour, while also developing the TV adaptation of her 2023 memoir “Paris: The Memoir.” The project, acquired by A24, is being produced by 11:11 Media alongside Dakota and Elle Fanning’s Lewellen Pictures and David Bernad’s Middle Child Pictures.

“At the end of the day, just for me, showing up authentically has always been my driving force,” Hilton said, reflecting on her business endeavors. “I’ve really just always stayed true to who I am. I’ve always leaned into just spreading joy and empowerment and being unapologetically yourself.”

Her advocacy work has been the most meaningful part of her journey, Hilton added. Drawing on her personal experiences, she has emerged as a leading voice for reform for troubled teens, pushing for greater transparency in youth treatment facilities. She has testified before lawmakers and championed legislation aimed at regulating abusive practices.

“It’s something I’m just so extremely proud of, and it has been so empowering and so healing to be the hero that I needed when I was a little girl,” she said.