The Style Council - June 2016

The Style Council

A Fashionable Review of the Lowcountry's Best Dressed Women

 

Maryilyn Rawlings: The Fashion Maven

I approached Marilyn about joining the Style Council because of her quintessential elegance and beauty, but what I learned is that she has quite a fabulous background in the fashion industry: As a fresh-faced, young lady from Larchmont, NY, she became an in-house model for the Henri Bendel and Bergdorf Goodman stores in Manhattan in the late 1950s, which she describes as an “alive and exciting experience. There were some outrageous and interesting personalities around at that time.” She met Julie Andrews, who was a newcomer, and Elizabeth Taylor, who was sporting that huge diamond! She also met her husband George then, and they have been married for 55 years. Continuing her modeling career in New York with the William Morris Agency, Marilyn has many wonderful and colorful stories and memories from that period in her life. After starting a family, she began employing her classic style and excellent taste selling clothes for the Tanner Company, and in fact still works for them today at the Doncaster Outlet on Hilton Head. Not just another pretty face, Marilyn feels strongly about giving back and today she is a sustaining member of the Junior League, a tireless volunteer for her church and the Boys & Girls Club, among others. Here’s to Marilyn’s classic style and timeless beauty! 

Who is your style icon?
Christine Baranski from the Good Wife.

Favorite thing in your closet right now: My green leather jacket.

Heels of flats? Low heels

Vogue or Cosmo? Vogue!

Favorite piece of jewelry? The bracelet that I was so grateful to inherit from my mother-in-law. It truly is a treasured heirloom!

One fashion item you’ll let yourself splurge: Jackets.

On your very best stylish day, the day you just knew you looked and felt fabulous, what were you wearing? Anything blue.

What’s the biggest fashion risk you’ve ever taken?
I tried “hot pants” once, and made the mistake of wearing them to hospital to see my grandfather.  
He was not impressed!

What is your favorite fashion era? The 1960s.

Describe your personal style in one word: Traditional.