The star of The CW’s “Hart of Dixie” recently teamed up with her longtime stylist, Nicole Chavez, to introduce ShoeMint, a membership site that offers monthly selections based on personal taste. It’s the latest addition to the BeachMint e-commerce company, which launched in 2010 with JewelMint, a jewelry line designed by Kate Bosworth and stylist Cher Coulter. The firm has since expanded with collaborations with Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen, as well as Jessica Simpson.

For ShoeMint, Bilson and Chavez serve as the designers and work with footwear veteran Steve Madden on production of the line. And so far, the partnership has been a good one, said the actress.

“Working with Steve is great for me and Nicole,” Bilson told Footwear News. “He has built a global shoe empire and brings extraordinary expertise to ShoeMint to ensure our designs are of the best quality and work within the market.”

Still, Bilson promised that the collection would stay true to her fashion sensibilities and remain affordable, at $80.

“I work closely with Nicole to gather inspiration, and then work with Steve to bring our vision to life,” Bilson said. “Nicole and I share a lot of the same design preferences, and we’re both really versatile and always go for an effortless look. These shoes really reflect me; they are exactly what I want to wear.”

And while Bilson said she is focused on the launch of the line, other product categories could soon be in the offing. “We’re excited to get through our debut collection launch and the full collection launch in the spring. But we are already thinking up some exciting ideas, so stay tuned.”

Here, the actress talks about the growth potential for the brand and how small feet — and the difficulties associated with finding fashionable styles — led her to create her own collection.

How did you get involved with BeachMint?
RB: I have been a fan of the BeachMint brands since my friend Kate Bosworth launched JewelMint and I was asked to be a guest curator for the Giving Back program. I got to choose my favorite pair of earrings from the collection, and the proceeds from the sales were donated to Invisible Children, a charity I’m very passionate about. The BeachMint business model is amazing. Not only do I get to design with my friend and stylist Nicole but I will have the opportunity to be involved with customers every step of the way, giving style tips, interacting with social media and more. And Nicole and I named each shoe after important people in our lives — and some four-legged [friends] — so it’s very personal to us.

What have you been doing to learn the footwear business and build your design skills?
RB: In the past, I’ve been lucky to work on design collaborations with DKNY Jeans and with Macy’s for my homeware line, Edie Rose. Footwear is really exciting and challenging. Nicole and I have very strong opinions about what we like and what style elements we want to incorporate. Steve is absolutely fantastic at translating our vision and designs, and we’re learning a lot about shoes in the process.

What first attracted you to the footwear business?
RB: I am a shoe fanatic, but I have always had a tough time finding cool shoes to fit me, as I am only a size five. I’ve been dreaming about my ideal shoes for years. Versatility has always been really important to me. I’m all about finding an accessory you love and making it work with different looks.

How are you balancing your acting career with your burgeoning design career?
RB: Starring in a network TV series is definitely tough on my schedule, but I find the time because I’m so passionate about this brand and I have a great team helping me every step of the way.

How big do you think ShoeMint can be and what are your plans for growing it?
RB: The potential for the site is huge. Customers have really come to trust the BeachMint brands. There’s already a relationship there, so we hope to engage those members and attract new ones.

WWD.com

The actress, who has teamed up with her stylist, Nicole Chavez, and Steve Madden to create the ShoeMint line of footwear, introduced her brand-new collection with a breakfast event at the London Hotel in West Hollywood.

“It’s been fun and we love working together,” Bilson told FashionEtc. “And Steve Madden is an amazing company to work with. We’re in good hands for sure, so it’s fun. I can’t wait for months to come.”

“When we got the first notice that a certain style actually sold out, it was just such a cool feeling that people actually liked the shoes,” the Hart of Dixie star said.

“I mean, we were really hopeful that people would like the shoes but we started selling on Thanksgiving, and by that Monday, we were being notified that we were almost sold out of a bunch of things,” added Chavez (who has quite a project of her own coming soon: the designer is just weeks away from the birth of her first child!).

The wallet-friendly collection (every shoe is $79.98, with free shipping) includes a range of booties, pumps, and more, all meant to complement customers’ personalized styles.

“[Our inspiration] came from our own experience and what was missing in our own closets,” Bilson explained of the designs.

“A lot of it came from what we like to see and touch and look at,” added Chavez. “We also just talked about things that we love and bits and pieces of things in our own closet that we love and would like to tweak.”

Of course, they probably didn’t take inspiration from one pair of Bilson’s in particular.

“My mom kept my first pair of little red Keds,” the brunette beauty shared of her early footwear. “But I was like, ‘Red Keds, Mom? What, was I a boy?’”

Today, she goes for shoes that are a little more glam. Bilson told us that her favorite style is the Hattie (not yet available), while Chavez favors the Janis.

“I really like shoes that make you stop and think and really look at them,” said Chavez. Of course, a little edge goes a long way, and both designers admitted that Lady Gaga’s signature heel-less shoes (by Noritaka Tanaka) aren’t exactly their style.

“That’s a little extreme,” laughed Chavez.

“That’s not really our vibe,” added Bilson.

ShoeMint is the footwear branch of the ever-expanding BeachMint family of companies, which also includes Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen’s tee collection, StyleMint; Kate Bosworth and stylist Cher Coulter’s jewelry collection, JewelMint; and Jessica Simpson and skin care expert Nerida Joy’s skin care collection, BeautyMint.

And though, for now, ShoeMint is limited to women’s offerings, Bilson revealed that she’s open to branching into men’s shoes, and it may not be that far off. “I think that would be so much fun and I kinda think that we should talk to them [the ShoeMint powers that be] about it soon,” she proclaimed.

Meanwhile, both Bilson and Chavez agreed that they’d love to do a collaboration with a brand like Brian Atwood or Chloé.

Get ready for the ShoeMint empire!

FashionEtc.com

Natasha in San Jose, Calif.: I’m loving Hart of Dixie! Anything on Zoe and Wade? It would make my entire week!!!
Wilson Bethel is definitely in favor of a Zoe (Rachel Bilson) and Wade having happily-ever-after…but they’re not quite there yet. But what matters is what happens in the end, yes? “Between us, I think it’s ultimately fated to be,” Bethel tells us. “Wade will try to have his day!” When he said “between us,” he meant “between you and your readers,” right? Whoops.

Eatherharmon09: Hart of Dixie pleeeeeease?! Anything will do
Wade’s about to get competitive! In an upcoming episode, Wade faces off against waitress Shelley (Deborah S. Craig) in a contest to create the Rammer Jammer’s new signature cocktail! Plus, the Rammer Jammer’s new barback, who happens to be the owner’s niece, is going to be crushing on Wade. Who can blame her?

We know this because TVLine has learned exclusively that acting vet Gary Cole is joining the CW charmer as the superstar surgeon whom Rachel Bilson’s character was raised to believe was her father.

Cole, who in recent years has recurred on Desperate Housewives, Entourage and Chuck, is booked to appear in at least two episodes.

Zoe’s dad grew distant from her when she was young after learning that he wasn’t her biological father — something Zoe herself only recently discovered (and after pinning her hopes on one day joining his esteemed medical practice). As a result, their reunion is sure to be a bittersweet one.

TVLine.com

Question: Been following you for years – that alone makes me deserving of you fulfilling my every fantasy. Or at least some Hart of Dixie scoop. —Britta
Ausiello: Let’s stick with the scoop, Britta. Your other fantasies scare me. Wade/Zoe ‘shippers will be sad to hear that the two will soon butt heads again when Zoe discovers that he has started a betting pool based solely on her love life. Elsewhere, Lemon and George are moving full speed ahead with their wedding plans. We’ll see the two taste-testing cakes in an upcoming episode.

From leopard-print suede wedges (very Alexa Chung for Madewell) to cowboy boots, lady-like platform heels AND pointy orange flats, everything looks ruddy marvellous. Plus – yay for us! – they’re brilliantly affordable at just $79.98 (approximately £50) per pair.

The collection launches this Friday on ShoeMint.com, a brand spanking new fashion website where Rachel will share her styling tips. “As a designer, I’m always exploring new mediums and footwear is a category I’ve always been very passionate about” says the actress. “I can’t wait to wear all the shoes!” And neither can we.

As if you need more convincing, check out this cute behind-the-scenes video…

You’ve got a new show.
I play a New York City doctor who moves to a small Southern town to take over a general practice, so it’s a typical fish-out-of-water story.

I do love the promo shot of you in the skin tight mini with the stethoscope.
Yeah it’s pretty funny. She stays true to her fashion.

Are you brushing up on your medical lingo?
Definitely. I have to practice it a lot because it’s hard to pronounce certain words. Everyone’s really proud when I say it right.

Josh Schwartz is the executive producer. You worked with him on “The O.C.”
I love working with Josh. He’s like family so it’s really nice to work together gain. I was maid of honor at his wedding; his wife is my best friend.

Your grandfather directed everything — “The Brady Bunch,” “Bewitched,” “The Love Boat.”
Yeah he did a lot of TV directing. I think he won an Emmy for “Get Smart.” I’m the fourth generation to be in show business. It’s pretty neat; it’s nice to have that family history. It’s pretty rare. Growing up on sets, it was familiar to me which I think was helpful in transitioning to working.

What do you do when you’re not working?
I like to cook and hang out in my PJs. I like to cook homey, comfy foods, meatloaf and chili and Italian food like lasagna. I’m half Italian so I make it all myself.

And you’re half-Jewish.
The two best food groups, I think. I grew up with matzo balls and kugel and blintzes and then I had homemade ravioli so I was spoiled in the food area.

You have two much younger siblings.
I have two half-sisters, one is almost 10 and the other is 4. I know all the Bieber songs and Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez. I showed them “The Princess Bride” recently which is one of my favorites. We watch all the Disney movies together.

Any fashion advice?
Right now I’m really into chunky cable knit sweaters. I love to throw them on with jeans or maxi shirts. I think they look great. My fashion advice is to experiment and wear what makes you feel comfortable.

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Sarah: Obsessed with Hart of Dixie! Anything good coming up for my favorite couple, Zoe and Wade?
Good? We’re not sure. Hilarious? Definitely. Zoe (Rachel Bilson) and Wade (Wilson Bethel) will soon try to sabotage each other’s dating attempts, and they get pretty childish about it. It seems Wade isn’t too thrilled to see Zoe take an interest in Judson, a vet.

On her desire to start a family:
“I’ve always wanted kids — it’s sort of an obsession, but I want to do it right, where I don’t have to work. I’ve heard the stores [of people balancing acting and kids], and I know it’s possible. I don’t know if I want that, though. I’m not sure if I want to continue to work when I have kids.”

On her attraction to Ryan Gosling:
“I met him [once]and I didn’t know what to expect. He was so funny and goofy. His timing and everything was amazing. I was like, ‘You’re supposed to be my husband!’ ”

On her adverseness to the Hollywood party scene:
“I’m all about Netflix and ordering ‘Teen Mom’ on iTunes. I go to bed at nine! I’m not as interested in going out and partying at night anymore; I’m more set in my ways. I know I sound like an 80-year-old.”