Style Shrine of the Week

What do Chanel Iman, Victoria Beckham, Rosie Huntington-Whitely, Diane Kruger, Nicola Roberts, Emma Watson, Sarah Jessica Parker, Blake Lively, Nicole Ritchie, Miranda Kerr, Chloe Sevigny, Kate Bosworth, Solange Knowles, Kirsten Dunst, Whitney Port, Olivia Palermo, Emma Watson, Alexa Chung, Kourtney Kardashian, Michelle Williams, Kate Moss, Gwen Stefani, Rihanna, Heidi Klum, Elle Macpherson, Florence Welch, Zoe Saldana and the Olsens have in common? Well they are a few of my favourite present day style icons. Every week I intend to pay homage to those that influence style and fashion.

I'll start with Olivia Palermo. Coming from an influential family helped Olivia gain ground in the fashion industry. And I quote “I may be a young girl, but behind every young girl is a powerful father."(I love her honesty) She's one of the world's most watched fashionistas and dubbed the Italian American princess. A fixture on the Manhattan social circuit, Olivia Palermo rose to fame (knocking off Tinsley Mortimer as New Yorks No. 1 It girl) and became the antagonist of MTV’s The City. 

 

Not only is she absolutely stunning. Her polished, well put-together outfits are unique as she personalises key trends.  To be a style icon with a dress on the red carpet is simple but the beauty of Olivia's style is her off duty casual outfits. She is epitome of street chic. Her ensembles are incredibly versatile, refined ,never cluttered or overstyled. Each layered look exhumes luxury and she is rarely seen in a single silhouette. Olivia often opts for a structured jacket, blouse, skirt and statement heel accessorized with Ray Bans and a Hermes Birkin.  

What's amazing about Olivia’s style is her ability to mix classic high end labels with young, edgy ones yet she doesn't shy from high street. She's blended H&M, Marchesa, Chanel, Hermes, Zara, Kurt Geiger, YSL, Topshop and vintage pieces all to establish her looks. She is queen of mixing colours, textures and patterns together and often looks effortless chic in a combination of neutral tones with a pop of colour in the jacket or shoes. Which keeps each ensemble looking fresh.

Influenced by masculinity she often pulls off a black suit, white shirt and tie. But gives the tux inspired outfit a feminine touch showing some ankle with cropped trousers or leather skinnies with a lace or sequin top. She loves her blazers and tailored pants but includes a heel to elongate her figure. 

Olivia trans-seasonal piece is the maxi skirt. In the day she  keeps it basic with a jersey tee in the summer or a poloneck  knit in the winter. At night with a fur lapel and quirky statement heels and clutches. With bags, Olivia avoids the obvious labels (Louis Vuitton) and sticks to classic shapes. She clearly adores statement necklaces especially Lulu Frost and always wears cat-eye sunglasses e.g. Tom Ford or Celine Audrey sunglasses to finish her casual outfits. Her greatest accessory- her boyfriend Johannes Huebl. Phwoar.

Olivia gets the first spot on my list... simply because she said London is one of her favourite cities. Her must visit stops are the V&A museum and Chelsea Antiques Market. Where's Croydon on that list Olivia! Just Joking.