Critics rationalize that Paris Hilton’s success is a by-product of an iconic name and inherited fortune, proclaiming her to be “Famous for being famous.”

Born into a life of glitz and glamor, Paris Hilton is no stranger to the public eye as she basks in the warmth of paparazzi light while battling one controversy after another.

Managing to gracefully transform her name, celebrity status and persona into a billion dollar empire has made Paris a modern day phenomenon. Vanity Fair refers to her as, the “Billion Dollar Entrepreneur.”

Gracing the big and small screens Paris Hilton made her debut as a reality star on “The Simple Life” to her new reality show, “The World According to Paris.” She is also the author or her book, “Confessions of an Heiress” and has launched her singing career with her hit single “Stars are Blind” that has taken her to new heights.

Venturing into fashion, Paris has turned her name into a global brand. Her business empire includes 17 different product lines—clothing, jewelry, fragrance, bags, and accessories that she personally develops.

The world-famous celebrity and business woman has yet again expanded her portfolio by partnering with Manila’s leading real estate firm, Century Properties.

Century Properties managing director and friend of Paris, Robbie Antonio, saw her earlier this year in the US and later on in Dubai to collaborate with the beach clubhouse of Century Properties’ six-hectare, nine-building residential property in Parañaque City called Azure Urban Resort Residences.

Paris will not only be the official ambassador of the project, but also help conceptualize and design the project.

“I look forward to working with Century Properties and feel confident they will develop an amazing and aspirational destination in Azure Urban Resort Residences,” said Hilton. “I will personally help design The Azure Beach Club, creating a unique and special place that will bring happiness to many people. I’m excited for people to experience it.”

Paris Whitney Hilton
Date of Birth: February 17, 1981
Height: 5’8”
Place of Birth: New York City, NY
Hometown: Beverly Hills, California
Current Project: Designing Azure Beach Club
Shoe size: 11 (many designers don’t make her size, so most of her shoes are custom-made)
Favorite quote: “That’s hot” (She had it trademarked, Oct 2004)
Favorite color: Pink
Favorite scents: “Paris Hilton,” “Just Me,” “Heiress,” “Fairy Dust,” “Tease” and her latest fragrance for 2011—”Paris Hilton Passport” (all from her line—she has 13 different fragrances!)
Trademark(s): Blue contact lenses (she has natural brown eyes), long bleached blonde hair
My first serious splurge… Louis Vuitton luggage.
A trend I hope that never ends… Diamonds.
The Paris Hilton style is … a little more sophisticated. When I was younger I was very Barbie-ish.
The person who knows me the most is… Nicky Hilton (her younger sister).
People should always… dress cute wherever you go, life is too short to blend in.
The best style advice I ever got… Be original.
One beauty tip that I’ve learned… Stay out of the sun.

What have you been up to these days?

I recently finished taping my reality TV show, “The World According to Paris.” I also celebrated “Christmas in July” with children from Union Rescue Mission which was such a remarkable experience. Aside from that, I am focused on my businesses such as my clothing and perfume lines as well as my new MotoGP racing team. All in all, life has been great!

What are the top five essentials in your bag?

(1) I’m always carrying water with me especially when I travel because it’s important to stay hydrated. (2) I always have my cellphone with me so I can stay in touch with friends and family and keep up with my business. (3) sunglasses (4) lipgloss (5)iPod.

What are the things people would be surprised to know about you?

I think people are surprised that when they meet me, I’m different from the person they read about in the press. I get shy easily and I am quieter than people think. I also work really hard for my business.

What’s the one skill people will be surprised to know you have?

I can cook! My specialty is lasagna. I’ve met a lot of women who can’t cook and I would choose cooking over ordering in any day.

What causes are you passionate about?

The charities I’ve been involved with range from helping children with special needs, caring for people with incurable illnesses, supporting the homeless, fighting poverty, ending animal cruelty, and so on. Charities I’ve supported in the past year include Starlight Children’s Foundation, Make-a-Wish Foundation, Union Rescue Mission, the Nancy Davis Foundation’s Race to Erase MS, Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles and the USO to name a few.

Who inspires you?

I’ve always looked up to my mom. She really inspires me.

What are your beauty secrets?

1) Drink a lot of water, I know it sounds simple but it’s so important because your skin and body need to be hydrated, and it makes you look younger.

2) Always wash your face at night to make sure all of the impurities that are flying around in the air don’t stay on your face when you’re asleep.

3) Always use a good eye cream. The first wrinkles are usually spotted around your eyes so they need some nourishment.

What is your favorite sport?

I love to play tennis. It’s a great workout and you can have so much fun playing with a friend, especially when they’re competitive.

What do you do to stay fit?

I like to go on hikes and runs to get my heart rate up and strengthen my legs. Also, I love Pilates because you’re using muscles you’ve probably never used before and when you’re all done, it feels amazing.

What do you do when you need to escape and relax from your insanely busy schedule?

I like to stay home and relax while watching a movie. Sometimes it’s so much better to let loose and not worry about how you look or what you’re wearing. I love fashion and style but on my relaxing day, I slip right into my sweats.

What are your favorite beaches?

I’ve been to so many beautiful countries with amazing beaches so it’s really hard to choose just one. I think the beaches in Ibiza and St. Tropez are gorgeous. There is definitely a different feel when you’re there compared to being in California, where I live.

What is your dream vacation?

My dream vacation is staying in Seychelles or a remote island for a week or two. I love being at tropical beaches, it helps me get away from business and totally rest and unwind. I also enjoy learning about new cultures and spending time with local people. Maybe when Azure is built I will come and spend some time in the beach club I designed.

What are your most fond memories of traveling and visiting new or familiar places, and why?

I’m really fortunate that I get to travel so much for my business because I love going to new places and having new experiences. Some of the favorite places I’ve recently visited are Spain to support my Moto GP racing team and last year I went to Egypt to see the Pyramids, but most of all, I love going to beach resorts like St. Tropez.

Your name has evolved into an international brand of different products. Why did you decide to dabble into designing a real estate project, or more specifically, the beach clubhouse of Azure?

I’m really proud of what I’ve accomplished over the years, but I’m always looking to grow further and expand my business. Real estate is in my blood and I’ve always had a passion for getting into real estate one day. This is now my first project in the real estate world and I couldn’t be more excited that it is for a beach club in the Philippines in partnership with Century Properties. As someone who travels the world and because I’ve stayed in many different places, I think I can bring a lot of great insight and ideas when designing a new property. I’m excited to create something beautiful and relaxing that people can enjoy.

How does this project with Century Properties relate to you?

I am so proud to be involved in this designing the beach club in Azure, it is such an honor to be asked. Having traveled all over the world I know I can bring some unique design ideas to the project. I’m very passionate about it and excited to see what it’s going to look like once it’s built.

What will be the style of your design in the Beach Club and its amenities?

The beach club is going to be very Paris, sexy, fun exciting, beautiful. Of course, there’s going to be pink there. It’s my favorite color. As for the amenities, the project is still in the works so I can’t share any of the details at the moment but I look forward to sharing the designs with you in the near future!

It will be stylish, sexy and uniquely Paris!

What advice would you give to your fans?

It’s all about believing in yourself… Always believe in yourself. Be a good person and good things will come to you.

For more details about the project, visit www.azure.com.ph