We're fairly certain Olivia Palermo does not keep a LinkedIn profile, but if she did, it would be as long as War and Peace. The 30-year-old's accomplishments include (deep breath, now) a lead part on the reality-TV show The City from 2008 to 2010; modeling gigs for brands like Mango and Rochas; collaborations with Aquazzura, BaubleBar, and Ciaté spots on global best-dressed lists; and her ongoing role as editor-in-chief of her namesake site. Now she has one more title to add: designer. Her first collection for Nordstrom—done in collaboration with its private-label brand, Chelsea28, and full of what Palermo calls easy, versatile "lifer pieces"—hit stores in February; three more will follow. Here she tells us how she'd style her favorite items, what she's learned from being on camera, and why you won't catch her in sweats any time soon.
Glamour: First things first: How did you find time to design a full collection? What's your secret to juggling it all?
__Olivia Palermo:__Time management! I'm working 24 hours a day, but I'm passionate about it. It's what makes me wake up in the morning with a big smile on my face. I spend the first half of my day dealing with Europe because of the time difference. Then in the evening my website gets my undivided attention.
Glamour: Did you fit the clothes on yourself?
OP: Absolutely. I test-drove the collection around Nordstrom's offices to make sure everything looked good in motion.
Glamour: Where did you look for inspiration?
__OP:__I was feeling 1970s, with a touch of French. I drew on the classic Breton stripe, vintage Hermès scarves, and stylish Parisian girls.
Glamour: Your personal wardrobe is to die for. How would you style a piece like the suede trench vest [pictured below]?
__OP:__I love the idea of layering it. I'd wear it as a dress with a chunky turtleneck under it, and thigh-high boots or pumps.
__Glamour:__And what would you wear on a date with your husband [Johannes Huebl]?
OP: The nice thing about Johannes is, he likes me casual. I mean, he also likes me dressed up. I guess he likes me no matter what! [Laughs.] But I think the blue-and-white outfit [left] feels so fresh for a date. I would style it with a wrap belt and sandals.
Glamour: OK, so real talk: How do you manage to look so put together all the time?
OP: My mom instilled in me at a young age how important it is to be properly dressed when you leave the house, no matter the time of day. Even if it's 4:30 A.M. and you're heading to the airport, you want to look and feel your best. Obviously everyone has their down days, but—
Glamour: Wait, you? Do you ever just want to put on sweatpants?
OP: No. If I do, it's only for the gym.
Glamour:__ In your case, your off-duty look might wind up in the pages of a magazine. Does that bother you?__
OP: I don't look at paparazzi photos. And most of my friends don't want to be photographed, so they walk four feet to the side. If you see a photo of me laughing, that's why—because my friends don't want to walk with me.
__Glamour:__Did you always know you wanted to work in fashion?
OP: Growing up, I wanted to be a sports commentator. Then my aunt [who worked at New York City auction house Doyle] introduced me to the fashion industry, and everything sort of fell into place.
__Glamour:____Next came a reality-TV show and then a job with Diane von Furstenberg. Did you ever feel that, because of your background as a reality-TV star, you weren't taken seriously by the fashion industry?
__
OP: No. I've always had the mentality of: work hard, get to bed early, focus—and let your work speak for itself.
For more from our March Issue, see what cover star Gwyneth Paltrow has to say about her many years of posing:
