Olivia Palermo's Moment

DOLLY JONES

07 April 2010

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OUR guest on the Today I'm Wearing page this month (see what she is wearing today, here), Olivia Palermo is fast becoming one of the world's most watched fashionistas. Here she tells us first-hand about her biggest style issues:

"Fashion is something that interests me on a daily basis - it started when I would see my mother and aunt get dressed up and go out at night in the city."

How do you decide what to wear every day?
When I get dressed in the morning, I think about versatility - and I'd be lying if I said the weather wasn't a factor. I love layered looks using vests or jackets, but sometimes I feel my best in a great pair of jeans and a fabulous T-shirt.

Who, if anybody, has an influence on your style - or whose style do you admire?
I love the way Scott Schuman captures off-the-cuff street style. It's raw and natural and fits my aesthetic. Menswear always has an influence on me and I think that's down to Coco Chanel - I think many women are influenced by her imprint on fashion.

What are you style essentials - what couldn't you live without?
I can't live without my YSL Tribute heels and my Ray-Ban Wayfarers. Everybody thinks it's the clothing that makes an outfit, but more often than not it's the accessories.

Who are your favourite designers?
There are so many, but several have impacted me directly or shown me how to think about fashion in different ways. Emerging brand Bensoni really captures my feminine and playful side, while Victoria Beckham's collection is elegant for cocktails or evening events. When Mr. Valentino was still designing he truly understood what makes a woman look beautiful. I feel that Rachel Roy and Matthew Williamson get that too with their proper and bohemian looks, respectively.

What are your favourite fashion possessions?
It's a cliché, but I remember when I got my first Hermes Birkin. It was such a pivotal moment - especially living in New York - to have received it. It was like joining a fashion clique and finally becoming one of the tribe. While I use it now occasionally, it always reminds me of how I've progressed stylistically and how cyclical fashion is.

What did you last buy to wear?
For my jewellery launch party for Roberta Freymann (see the collection here), I wanted something special and I spotted this amazing Julian J. Smith dress at Debut on Mulberry Street. I immediately knew it was what I had to wear.

Have you found that your style has changed as your profile has grown?
My style hasn't changed since my profile has increased, but rather my sensibilities towards fashion have. You can't wear the same things at 18 that you can at 24 - that isn't to say that I've overhauled my wardrobe, but I've definitely made a few adjustments. It's all about piecing things together to make closet staples look fresh and interesting.

You have said that London is your favourite city. Why? Which particular places?
London is fabulous because anytime I'm there with [boyfriend] Johannes [Huebl] it just fits. This might sound silly since we live together in New York, but it's completely true. There is a different energy in London and a completely different attitude. My must visit stops include the Victoria & Albert Museum, Matches (of course!) and the Chelsea Antiques Market for things for my apartment. Although the English aren't known for their cuisine, I always take the opportunity to have lunch at Nicole's and dinner at E&O.

Tell us about OPsmile - how did you get involved with it? What do you do for them?
Operation Smile is a wonderful organisation that my friend and New York development director Dee Dee Sides asked me to join years before I even started work on The City. My role as a committee member is to spread the message of the charity and to get young people involved, as without newer members and continued support things will only get worse. Their website is www.operationsmile.org and anyone can get involved online.

vogue.com