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Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Olivia Palermo: Style Icon?

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Back in 2008, I wrote a series on Style Icons. It included some of my personal style icons including Gwyneth Paltrow, Anne Hathaway, Reese Witherspoon, Kate Hudson, and Sarah Jessica Parker. Later that year, I featured Lauren Conrad of The Hills as a hair icon. Not since Jennifer Aniston sported “the Rachel” had so many people clamored for a celebrity’s hair. No matter how Lauren styles it, it always looks cute.
This brings me to Olivia Palermo, Manhattan socialite turned reality star on The City and owner of a very enviable wardrobe. She may not be portrayed as the nicest or easiest person to get along with, but the woman has AMAZING hair and a wardrobe to match. She has been featured on The Sartorialist several times and it has even been rumored that she was the real-life inspiration for the Blair Waldorf character on Gossip Girl.
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On The City, Olivia seems to have a lackadaisical work ethic and appears to be impossible to get along with, but her style is pretty darn fabulous. Whether she is wearing a feminine dress or putting together an impeccable, menswear-inspired look, I love just about every outfit she wears on the show. She balances feminine and masculine details as perfectly as some of my favorite interior designers and she accessorizes each ensemble beautifully.
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At the end of the day, I’m sure she is actually a lovely person. How else would she have so many friends and contacts? It is MTV after all, so I am sure there is an abundance of editing and scripting. So, is Miss Palermo simply a hair icon or does she qualify as an all-encompassing style icon?
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NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 22:  EXCLUSIVE -  TV.personality Olivia Palermo appears on set of MTV's "It's On with Alexa Chung" at the MTV Times Square Studios on June 22, 2009 in New York City.  (Photo by Evan Agostini/PictureGroup)
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Olivia Palermo | Celebrity Style | Look Magazine
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Olivia Palermo attends the Ports 1961 Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at The Promenade, Bryant Park on September 8, 2008 in New York City.
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Olivia Palermo
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Are you a fan of Olivia’s style? Who are your personal style icons?

57 comments:

Rebecca June | Sea Island Drive said...

I hate to admit it but I do believe that she is an all around style icon. She has an eye and a wonderful way of pairing new pieces and vintage to always make them look current and modern. I mean, even her apartment is beautiful!

xoxo

Rebecca June

Creategirl said...

I have to admit I love Olivia's style. She always throws in one unexpected piece either clothing or accessory which just makes the entire outfit more intriguing. I would love to have her clothing budget and wonder if part of her "difficult" personality is more for the cameras? Great post!

Kirsten Krason said...

She is stunning. I watch the city just to see her clothes.

Faith J. said...

I am a fan of Olivia's style, though I don't watch her show. She is really beautiful and has fab clothes. However true beauty is in humility, kindness, love, compassion, and patience towards others, and I can't judge that without meeting her.

Daniella said...

Oh my, some photos i've seen and loved but never realized it was her! Great post... lovely outfits...

Katie @ Noodle and Boof said...

I agree! She's gorgeous! Love the hair...love the style!

Freckles Chick said...

I'm certainly a fan of her style! She sort of channels Jackie O. w/ her classy, ladylike wardrobe & affinity for signature accessories (the shades, the handbag, the shoes).

Not so sure about Olivia herself though--she's like the ultimate frenemy! Ha!

Averill said...

I'm not a huge fan of long hair, so she's not a personal hair icon for me, but I adore that girl's shoes. In fact, I covet just about all of her shoe wardrobe!

Anonymous said...

Olivia can throw an outfit together, that's for sure! One of my favorites is Kate WAlsh from Private Practice. Love her style!

Anonymous said...

Style icon=yes
Hair icon=yes
Bitch icon=yes
I watch 'The City' just for Olivia's clothes.

p.s. Kelly Cutrone fascinates me- I think I wish I could just say everything mean I thought about people. Just had to admit that.

Unknown said...

Emily, I don't watch Private Practice, but I loved Addison on Grey's.

Colette, Kelly is getting her own show on Bravo called "Kell on Earth"!
http://www.bravotv.com/blogs/the-dish/welcome-to-kell-on-earth

Lynett said...

I love, love, love her style...If I had loads of money that's exactly how I would dress.

Fargerike Dagny said...

She definitely has great style! Always so put together in a classical way.

Extremely annoying on the Hills though, hopefully you're right about the editing.

Jen said...

i'm sure i'm just echoing everyone above but she does have gorgeous clothes & shoes & hair & accessories. i'm not sure about her personality, she surely doesn't give me the warm & fuzzies but i would like to share a closet with her!

SpryOnTheWall said...

She does have amazing style, absolutely. As for my personal style icons, it's the usual suspects, SJP, Gwen Stefani, Gwyneth, Kate Moss, Audrey Hepburn, etc. Great post!

Lauren said...

I LOVE her style. She is so beautiful but her personality (at least on the show) is so horrible!

Jeannine | The Small and Chic Home said...

I have to admit that I didn't even know who she was before this post. I haven't watched MTV in the last decade or so and since I moved south, I don't get the NYTimes, so I don't see the society pages.

It's kind of liberating!

She's pretty, though. :)

Unknown said...

She does have pretty impecable style...too bad the show potrayed her as not being able to pull a decent look for the models to save her life.

Rebekah said...

Yeah, I pretty much love/hate her. Think I am taking her "Hair" pic with me to the salon today. good inspiration. Completely rando, I have always loved Reese Witherspoon's style.

MollDoll said...

Shes one of my style icons! Everytime I shop I keep her in mind! I LOVE HER! Love this post

Tammy@InStitches said...

Aren't you sweet giving her the benefit of the doubt ! She looks amazing but her personality ruins it for me.....

Anonymous said...

She has great taste!!!

but from what I hear from the NYC grapevine is that she has been pretty much laughed out of town since she started on that show.

Plus a few years ago, she wrote some wacky email to the women of some social group (myabe junior league?) asking why they dont like her.

Miss E said...

She seems completely insufferable on the show, but her hair and clothes are TO DIE FOR.

Katie☽ said...

i love Olivia to death! she is my muse! you should check out my blog i always post photos of her!!

theewhiteelephant.blogspot.com

Katie☽ said...

i love Olivia to death! she is my muse! you should check out my blog i always post photos of her!!

theewhiteelephant.blogspot.com

Chelsea said...

No question that she's an all around style and hair icon. Anyone who disagrees is just jealous. This girl knows how to create a PERFECT look.

Cougar Tales said...

I just noticed this gir when I watched the Hills for the second time ( I swear! ). I thought she stands out compared to the others. I agree that I am sure she is a lovely person! :-)

I found your blog from one of my many mags I subscribe to. Was it BHG? I have a habit of ripping things out and saving for later - recipes, shoes or clothes I like, links, etc. Finally had a chance to stop by!

Hop over for a visit when you have a moment!
- Cougs
www.cougar-tales.blogspot.com

Sarah's Fab Day said...

She always looks great with her perfect hair, doe eyes and gorgeous clothes. Good choice!

Soma Pradhan said...

My bff and I always fight over her! He loves her and I want to smash the tv half the time she's on. There's no way they can completely twist her interactions and if she didn't like the way she was portrayed she would not have signed on for the second season...

The other half of the time I'm staring bliss{lust}fully at her ensembles. The girl can dress! Also, her mother is an interior designer, I imagine the apple didn't fall too far from the tree!

{:D longest comment ever}

Anonymous said...

She's gorgeous! I wish I actually had the time to pull off a look like her's. Seems like it would take me forever to get ready to head out lol... but maybe I'm wrong hehe

Anonymous said...

hola paloma =):

i would say she is both, hair and style icon. love her sense of style and she has beautiful hair. great post. thanks for sharing.

ox

Julie Leah said...

She is beautiful! And I'm definitely thinking that she is an overall style icon. Every single picture of her is flawless and fabulous. Even her apartment makes me envious!

Southern Aspirations said...

style icon, I must say! Great comprehensive roundup!

Hello Lover... said...

She definitely gets a bad rap from The City. But I don't even care what she is like personally because a. I don't know her and therefore don't have to deal with her and b. she dresses so amazingly I don't even care. Every outfit she wears is perfection to me. I'm sure it doesn't hurt that she is absolutely loaded (I'd love to think I'd dress this great if I could afford it as well) but there are plenty of people out there with plenty of money whose wardrobes and style doesn't even come close.

Thank you for posting this because I absolutely agree - she is a style icon, she pairs her clothing, jewelry, and handbags perfectly and puts together such unique looks that always work!

paula said...

I would love to raid her closet any day.

Anonymous said...

Can I add another style icon- Michelle Obama!!! Love, love, love her clothes!

Danielle said...

I think she is a total style icon. I watched this show the first season for HER! She is gorgeous.

SpryOnTheWall said...

Gosh, you made me think and think about this one. So much so I did a post about it (my "answer" to your question if you will).

http://spryonthewall.blogspot.com/2009/12/icon-or-inspiration.html

Again, fab post (and blog)!

Bailey @ peppermintbliss said...

Ummm excuse me? You forgot her dewey angel kissed skin!?!? It's infuriating. However, I wouldn't give her the title "style icon" simply because I just refuse to acknowledge anyone on those shows as potentially iconic. That doesn't mean I dont still watch their shows, wracked with guilt, but I have to draw a line somewhere! haha, but I WOULD rob her closet blind if given the opportunity and a 22 inch waist.

Connie at Sogni e Sorrisi said...

Olivia always looks great. She doesn't always come across as the nicest girl, but she's usually the one with the best bag. Beautiful hair, too.

I can totally see Olivia-ish influences in Blair.

Angie said...

I do love her style and hair. She's a beautiful girl I just can't stand the way she speaks!!!! It drives me insane!!!

Liz Doré said...

I completely agree with best bags! even if she does seem like a pain, gorgeous style.

Jill GG said...

I love to hate her "character" on The Hills, but fashion-wise... the girl can do no wrong. She's brilliant.

alison giese Interiors said...

I've never even HEARD of her, but, I'm not exactly on the up-and-up of reality (or any other) TV shows! Clearly, this woman has style in droves, and a pocketbook that affords one to capture such looks while still appearing effortless. What I notice first and foremost? Her skin - it is literally breathtakingly flawless!

Mango Gal said...

I absolutely love her style, and the fact that my favorite character on Gossip Girl was modeled after her makes me like her even more. I would much rather raid her closet than Whitney's or Lauren's any day.

Anonymous said...

Easily a style/hair/ jewellery icon! Good for you for spotting it early, Paloma.
thanks,
Maria

Ann Elizabeth said...

She is an amazing style icon! Her style is truly inspirational, and she always look perfect from her hair down to her shoes. Although, her personality may be a different story.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for this post! I think she has amazing style better than any celebrity out there (dressed by stylists anyway) Hair, accessories and clothes are perfection.

Where did you find so many pictures of her?

Thank you again!

Yahnay said...

massive fan of her style. When ever I need a little wardrobe inspiration she is one person on my list that browse.

Naomi@DesignManifest said...

i don't watch The City, so I don't care about her personality, but i love every one of her outfits! and yes her hair is amazing too. i wonder how long that takes to style? wish i had the time... or professional help!

Anonymous said...

I think she hides behind her cloths.

samia said...

You really are a fan of Olivia.. Gosh you seem to have captured her every outfit in this post.. well i really dont knw who are my style icons.. never thought about it.. i love sartorialist and his eye.. and well Olivia might go in my list as well.. but she definitely is pretty.. and her hair AWESOME!! i dont knw.. i think she is just a pretty girl!

Wedded Away said...

The answer is yes, Olivia is a total style icon. Everything she steps out in feels fresh, young, and perfectly edited. I would love to know just how much of this is her personal style prowess or that of a well seasoned stylist, hmmm.....

Jan said...

I'm not such a fan of her.. but I do LOVE her style and her hair. I think she always looks put together.

Jan said...

I would love to receive the Sophia Pearl Bib Necklace. It's gorgeous!
Great giveaway!

Apt. #34 said...

I am guilty of loving her style too. A little too straight out the mags polished but her accessories and shoes are always perfection.

Kate said...

Totally agree with mango gal:
I absolutely love her style, and the fact that my favorite character on Gossip Girl was modeled after her makes me like her even more. I would much rather raid her closet than Whitney's or Lauren's any day.

Although, I have to add that it pains me to call her an icon. Have heard not-so-great things about her. Regardless, if I had money, that's how I'd dress!

Also love: SJP, Kate Moss, Rachel Zoe, Audrey Hepburn...

thanks for the great post!