The photo that dream team did of a snake kissing Nastassja Kinski in 1981 year still raises goosebumps.
Shes also rumored to have been an inspiration forThe Incredibles outspoken Edna Mode.
While she hails from New England, passion, not Puritanism, is the driving force in Mellens life.
Polly Mellen
Happy Birthday, Polly!
Polly Mellen was one of the most visionary fashion editors of our time.
My dream was always to work with Polly.
Linda Evangelista, Naomi Campbell, Polly Mellen, and Christy Turlington kick up some fun at the Fashion Group Night of Stars Gala in 1989.
I remember writing her letters in high school dreaming of the day that I could work with her.
Polly pushed boundaries and had no limitations creating some of the great photographs of our time.
Pollys endless energy and ability to pivot in any direction at any time made her a true co-creator.
The Tale of Genji,the 11th-century Japanese masterpiece novelby Murasaki Shikibu is said to have partly inspired Polly Mellen and Richard Avedon’s 1966 editorial “The Great Fur Caravan.” This 1975 exploit takes its name from a rather more risqué piece of erotic writing published in 1954:The Story of Ohby Anne Desclos a.k.a Pauline Réage.
No has ever topped her strong desire and commitment to fashion.Steven Klein
My career atVoguewas a dream come true.
I was literally hired while working as a summer temp at YSL.
The legendary Polly Mellen.
From “The Story Of Ohhh…” Lisa Taylor embodying the female gaze of the liberated ’70s.
Little did I know then what awaited me.
Her work ethic knew no boundaries, and her passion no limits.
She was, and is, fashions biggest cheerleader!
I have one story that has become a bit of fashion loreactually there are manybut this one stands out.
We were in aVoguevan shooting with Deborah Turbeville and it started to rain.
I had forgotten one hat, and Polly let me have it.
Id ruined the entire sitting.
She sent me back to Conde Nast without cash or an umbrella!
Luckily the other Conde Nast vans were all parked in front of the Met.
I jumped in theGlamourvan and Patrick Demarchelier gave me $5.
That was the first time I saw Polly Mellen, the legend who became a mentor and dear friend.
Her fearless dedication to creativity was unwavering and inspiring.
Her enthusiasm was contagious.
At 100, Polly has lost none of that enthusiasm, nor her critical and avant-garde eye for fashion.
She believes: Lets not talk about what it used to be: Always look forward!
Thank you, dear Polly.
Fashion influences everything for hernot just clothing.
To Polly, theres always a more stylish way of speaking, sleeping, breathing.
She never quit, which is what kept her young.
I first met her when I was 18 working at Perry Ellis and I was a little intimidated.
When I graduated from Parsons in 1982 (or 83?)
She was a kind of muse that lived in my head.
My first job forVoguewas with Polly and the model Annie Holbrook, shooting at the Carlyle Hotel.
I told her that I thought the collar on Annies shirt was wrong and needed to be fixed.
After that we became buddies and worked together all the time.
Along with Grace Coddington, she was one of my favorites.
She dressed so beautifully.
Polly expressed what I felt.
Pollys collaboration with Richard Avedon produced some of the most iconic photographs ever produced.
Polly is a gift for us all.Wendy Goodman
Polly is one of the true revolutionaries in fashion photography.
Her approach to sittings set the bar for what could be achieved in a fashion story.
She forged the idea that fashion was young and not matronly.
A room filled with Polly manques!
The audience went wild with appreciation.
Shed just defined fashion, and she also might have been describing herself.
Where Polly goes, we not only have followed, we have rushed.
Cliffs and obstacles be damned.William Norwich
She is the Pollyonaire of moments and memories.
No filter.Helmut Lang
Polly is my mentor and a big part of my lifetheres no one like her.
Polly honed me, she taught me what fashion is all about.
It all began in 1975/76.
We worked together for over four decades to create images that will remain in time, theyre iconic.
And, its not just about the hair, its about the whole look.
The last shoot we did was forInterview Magazinewith Steven Meisel.
Polly was the subject, and I got to style her.
Not only her hair, but the robe and everything.
That day she swam about 20 lengths of the pool so she could be photographed underwater!
She was in her 80s at the time.
Polly always said to me, We live with our memories and we move forward.
Take what youve learned and what youve done, and build on it.Garren
