Olivia Palermo on her eclectic style​​​, dream dinner party and collaboration with Karl Lagerfeld

The fashion entrepreneur and stylemaker gives us the low down

Olivia Palermo has partnered with Karl Lagerfeld to create a curated edit of the brand's autumn 2019 collection. Courtesy Karl Lagerfeld

Olivia Palermo has partnered with Karl Lagerfeld to create an edit of the brand's autumn 2019 collection. It features 24 wardrobe essentials, as well as five pieces designed by Palermo herself. Having found fame on the reality TV series The City, Palermo is now a regular fixture on best-dressed lists and lives in New York with husband Johannes Huebl.

If you could wake up anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would you be?

There are so many places I love that it's hard to choose, but probably Mustique.

What was your first luxury purchase?

Either a pair of Manolo Blahniks or Jimmy Choos.

What’s on your fashion wishlist?

A girl can never have too many Birkins.

How would you describe your style in three words?

Eclectic, tailored and polished.

Do you prefer getting dressed up or keeping it casual?

I love both — and I think there's a place for both — but the most important thing to remember is to dress appropriately for your environment. Don't be too overdressed or underdressed.

What’s your favourite accessory?

My cellphone, because it’s most-used thing I own.

What essential pieces do you always pack in your suitcase?

I have a uniform: leather pants, cashmere sweater, white button-down shirt, motorcycle boots. Those are my essentials.

What are your beauty and skincare go-tos?

I recently started using 111skin and really swear by their products for skincare. As far as beauty goes, I am an avid Charlotte Tilbury fan.

Who would be at your dream dinner party – and what would you be eating?

Jacques Grange, Peter Pennoyer, Joseph Dirand and my mother – talking about interiors and beautiful design. We would probably go out to eat, to either Loring Place or Sushi Nakazawa.

What are you listening to at the moment?

Whatever my in-house DJ, Mr Johannes Huebl, puts on a playlist for me.

What is your favourite book?

I am more of a magazine person.

How do you unwind after a busy week?

When at home in New York, I often unwind by playing Mario Kart with Johannes and friends.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a sports commentator for a long time.

What’s the best piece of style advice that you give your friends?

I give them my honest opinion. If something doesn't look great, it doesn't look great. You have to find a way to make it work, or maybe revisit it altogether. 

How did the collaboration with the Karl Lagerfeld brand come about?

I've always had admiration for Karl and been a fan of his brand. One day, I was dressed in a Karl button-down shirt and thought, wouldn't it be a great idea if we collaborated on a collection that could fuse our two signature styles? We connected on working together in an official capacity and let our joint creativity guide the conversation from there.

What was your inspiration when creating your edit of the collection?

I wanted to play with Karl Lagerfeld's Parisian classics, and add my own touch with a tailored yet eclectic feel. It was also important for me to keep a black and white palette. That’s a very clear message for Karl Lagerfeld, and that’s something that really resonates with me and my own brand colors.

What was your inspiration when creating your edit of the collection?

I wanted to play with Karl Lagerfeld's Parisian classics, and add my own touch, with a tailored yet eclectic feel. It was also important for me to keep a black and white palette. That's a very clear message for Karl Lagerfeld, and that's something that really resonates with me and my own brand colours.

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