Polly Mellen (1924-2024) had a thing for fashion. And always let the press know about it. A fixture in fashion with a critical eye, Mellen was never afraid to give her opinion. In John B. Fairchild’s famous “Louis Esterhazy Says” column in 1981, she was dubbed Vogue’s “fashion cheerleader.” Not just for her love of fashion, but for her hands-on front row curiosity of “feeling the fabric” as models sauntered down the runway, the signature move she would come to be known for. Polly Mellen died at 100 years old on Dec. 12, 2024.
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Polly Mellen, Fashion Editor: Photos Through the Years
Image Credit: Fairchild Archive Henry Mellen and Polly Mellen attend an event, celebrating Carrie Donovan’s promotion to VP of communications for Bloomingdale’s, at Calvin Klein’s apartment in New York City on May 4, 1976.
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Polly Mellen, Fashion Editor: Photos Through the Years
Image Credit: George Chinsee Polly Mellen and guest attend the Irving Penn Retrospective at The Museum of Modern Art on September 13, 1984.
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Polly Mellen, Fashion Editor: Photos Through the Years
Image Credit: Pierre Schermann Socialite Mica Ertegun and (R) fashion editor Polly Mellen attend the Maximillian Fur presentation and luncheon in New York on October 1, 1974.
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Polly Mellen, Fashion Editor: Photos Through the Years
Image Credit: Peter Simins Fashion editors Polly Mellen and Grace Mirabella (L) sit from the front row at the Geoffrey Beene and Beene Bag Spring 1975 Ready To Wear fashion show.
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Polly Mellen, Fashion Editor: Photos Through the Years
Image Credit: Fairchild Archive Oscar de la Renta, Polly Mellen and Chester Weinberger attend a party, celebrating Carrie Donovan’s promotion to VP of communications for Bloomingdale’s, at Calvin Klein’s apartment in New York City on May 4, 1976.
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Polly Mellen, Fashion Editor: Photos Through the Years
Image Credit: George Chinsee Polly Mellen, Bill Cunningham with camera and guest attend the Irving Penn Retrospective at The Museum of Modern Art on September 13, 1984.
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Polly Mellen, Fashion Editor: Photos Through the Years
Image Credit: Lynn Karlin Model Alva Chinn wears Halston’s gray wrap broadtail coat. Fashion Journalist Polly Mellen (R) sits front row taking notes.
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Polly Mellen, Fashion Editor: Photos Through the Years
Image Credit: Eric Weiss Richard Avedon and Polly Mellen backstage during the CFDA fashion awards at Lincoln Center on February 8, 1994 in New York. Mellon recieved the CFDA award for
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Polly Mellen, Fashion Editor: Photos Through the Years
Image Credit: John Aquino Fashion critic Cathy Horyn, editor Liz Tilberis and journalist Polly Mellen and guest watch from the front row at the Donna Karan Spring 1992 Ready To Wear Fashion Show.
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Polly Mellen, Fashion Editor: Photos Through the Years
Image Credit: Fairchild Archive Iman on the runway at Michael Kors Spring 1985 Ready To Wear fashion show in New York on November 8, 1985. Fashion Editor Polly Mellen reaches out to feel the fabric on the coat she is wearing.
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Polly Mellen, Fashion Editor: Photos Through the Years
Image Credit: Thomas Iannccone Polly Mellen reading a copy of Womens Wear Daily at the Donna Karan spring 1995 ready to wear collection on November 3, 1995 in New York.
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Polly Mellen, Fashion Editor: Photos Through the Years
Image Credit: Davide Maestri Model Anh Duong, actress Gina Gershon editor Polly Mellen attend the Dolce and Gabbana Fall 2002 Ready to Wear Runway Show on March 2, 2002, in Milan, Italy.
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Polly Mellen, Fashion Editor: Photos Through the Years
Image Credit: WWD Joe Zee and Polly Mellen on stage at The Fashion Group International’s Night of Stars at Cipriani Wall Street on October 27, 2016.
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Polly Mellen, Fashion Editor: Photos Through the Years
Image Credit: Kyle Erickson Portraits of Polly Mellen, February 27, 2002.