If I told you I’d always wanted to own my own SHOP, that wouldn’t be the truth either.
If I told you I’d always dreamed of doing something SPECIAL, then yes, that would be the truth.
It all began in 1999. Remember the year we thought the world was going to end as soon as the clock struck 12:01?
With the world still intact, I started on a path that led me here to where I am today.
My past had been riddled with do’s and don’ts. My mother was the imposer of all the ETIQUETTE rules of the time-those set in place by the likes of Emily Post and Amy Vanderbilt. Emily Post proved too rigid for my mother, but AMY VANDERBILT, for her, epitomized the ideal of contemporary propriety.
The indoctrination of formal etiquette at an early age, such as acknowledging gift-giving with a formal thank you note, sitting down in our formal dining room for evening meals, and other rules had a lasting impact, leaving its mark on me to this day. But what had the greatest effect was the MANTRA my mother, not only preached, but demonstrated by her example-present oneself to the world in a positive light. First impressions lasted in the mind of the viewer-quality of fashion over quantity was preferable. One’s appearance matters-clothing must fit properly, be suitable, no matter the weather and conform to the fashion of the day at all times.
My mother’s golden rule-Better to be underdressed than overdressed.
SIMPLE ELEGANCE summed up her persona then and does so to this day.
Armed with this seemingly innate concept of proper etiquette and fashion sense, in 1999, I found myself on a FASHION buying trip in the fashion mecca cities of PARIS and MILAN. Compared to the sophistication of the fashion presented in these iconic cities, the Americas were fashion-starved. I was intoxicated by the colors, prints and fabrics, it was a visual feast. The feeling never left-so in 2009, still reeling with excitement of what could be possible in the U.S. fashion world, I opened a small accessories store in Naples, Florida. It was my desire to bring European elegance to the American woman that fueled me. At first, I stocked the store with jewelry, Italian and French hand-made shoes, belts and scarves, eventually adding crisp-white French blouses. Four years later, I incorporated Italian white blouses under my own label. Hats arrived soon after, dresses and pants followed.
In 2013, in need of more space, I expanded to my current location: MARILYNS on 5th Avenue South, Naples, Florida.
In 2019, ONLINE shopping services were launched.
I travel, and walk the cobblestone streets of EUROPE, where I peruse local fairs showrooms, jewelry labs, sewing rooms and small, often remote factories in search of the unusual design. Ten-fifteen miles a day of walking allows me to take in the sights and sounds of other cultures. Absorbing the flavor of the exotic other, I then incorporate it all into my own design.
I’m proud to display the treasures I’ve found, as well as those I’ve created under my own label.
When visiting MARILYN’S ON FIFTH, one can expect a personal touch from a knowledgeable fashion design expert who was born to dress women in feel-good attire not found in your everyday department store.
