100 Years of Fearless Fashion: How Polly Mellen Shattered Style Norms and Ruled the Runway

Hold onto your hats, fashion fans! The iconic Polly Mellen has taken her final bow at the ripe age of 100—and what a dazzling legacy she leaves behind! You won’t believe the trail this fashion powerhouse blazed.

Starting from humble beginnings, Mellen's journey kicked off in West Hartford, Connecticut, back in 1924. She strutted through the halls of the elite Miss Porter's School, a breeding ground for legends like Jackie Kennedy, Lee Radziwill, and Lilly Pulitzer. From her gig as a nurse’s aide, she leaped into the fashion scene with a job at Lord & Taylor, eventually making her mark in the world of magazines. Want to know more about this storied institution? Check this out here.

In a revealing 2010 interview, Mellen reminisced, giving a peek into her early style inspirations. Her parents may not have been in the fashion biz, but they were "enormously chic," she confessed. From matching outfits with her sister to insisting on her unique sense of style, Polly’s fashion flair was evident from the get-go. To hear her spill her style secrets, click here.

She took no prisoners in her career, striding through the pages of Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Allure, and Mademoiselle. After decades of dominance, she called it quits at 77, refusing to settle for mediocrity. Discover her fiery parting words here.

With a lifetime achievement award from the CFDA in her trophy case, Mellen’s avant-garde style remained unmatched. Obsessed with what shaped her iconic style? Her interview earlier this year holds the answer—she found inspiration in the vibrant streets! Dive into that conversation here.

Even in her farewell, she was celebrated in her own right—a Vogue obituary crowned her a fearless trendsetter who constantly shattered fashion boundaries. RIP, Polly! The fashion world bows to you.