Polly Mellen will add yet another milestone to a life full of them when she turns 100 years old tomorrow. Of course, she doesn’t have the same level of control over this milestone as she did so many others during her storied career as a fashion stylist extraordinaire. Among the most famous is “The Great Fur Caravan,” a 26-page editorial she did with Richard Avedon for in 1966, which is still believed to be the most expensive ever undertaken.
The photo that dream team did of a snake kissing Nastassja Kinski in 1981 year still raises goosebumps. Mellen was as much of a force in front of the camera as she was on set, having walked for Jean Paul Gaultier and starred in a Gap campaign. She’s also rumored to have been an inspiration for ’ outspoken Edna Mode.
While she hails from New England, passion, not Puritanism, is the driving force in Mellen’s life. When she still sat in the front rows, she lived and breathed fashion and designers would monitor whether she clapped or cried, or both, at their shows. On the eve of her big day, nine colleagues share their best wishes and memories of Mellen, a woman of immense talent and indomitable spirit.
Happy Birthday, Polly! “Polly Mellen was one of the most visionary fashion editors of our time. My dream was always to work with Polly. I remember writing her letters in high school dreaming of the day that I could work with her.
That came true. Polly pushed boundaries and had no limitations creating some of the great photographs.
