PALMER Editorial Director Stefano Tonchi and Fivestory owner Karen Murray hosted a panel discussion with Designer Dee Ocleppo Hilfiger on fashion trends and the Palm Beach style to celebrate the 1st Anniversary of Fivestory Palm Beach.
Tonchi’s long time friend and fashion designer, Tommy Hilfiger, popped by to show support for his wife and Murray, whom he has also known for years
Tonchi asked panelists what brought them to Palm Beach and what comes to mind when they think about Palm Beach style. “Palm Beach Style is effortless and chic, and always elegant,” said Ocleppo Hilfiger.
Murray has worked in fashion for decades, including as a sportswear coalition president for VF Corp, owner of brands like Nautica and Kipling — where, she said with a wink, she “competed with Tommy Hilfiger.” She opened Fivestory in Manhattan two days before the Covid lock down and her New York customers fled to both the Hamptons and Palm Beach.
“I followed my customers; they’ve become like family,” she said. “Palm Beach is so elegant and everybody dresses so fabulously—decked out in beautiful colors, pretty fabrics and prints, and everything looks elegant and sophisticated. That’s ‘casual’ dressing here. Seeing a table full of women at Sant Ambroeus for lunch is a fashion show!”
“And event dressing is over the top,” she continued. “Tons of color, glam, sequins, feathers and shine—every woman looks like a movie star. I absolutely love how dressed-up my customers get for each and every occasion. Being in Palm Beach is a luxury and waking up every morning with the sun shining and the waves crashing is the way I want to wake up every day. I love the weather and it amazes me how clean the streets are and how beautiful the town is. The ocean drive is amazing.”
Fivestory’s assortment of both emerging designers and vintage brands are hand-picked and curated by a team with unparalleled experience in the fashion industry. “We try to carry as many exclusive brands as possible. We were the first to carry TWP, Rianna and Nina, Huisan Zhang, Veranda, as well as luxury designers Etro, Borgo de Nor, Mary Katranzou, Prabal Gurung, Proenza and Victoria Beckham. We also carry home furnishings, footwear and handbags — including Dee Ocleppo — and a phenomenal selection of evening wear. Many of them are one of a kind – including vintage McFadden, Stavropoulos, Donald Deal, Randolph Duke, Oscar de la Renta, Dolce and Gabbana, Carolina Herrera, J Mendel, and Zahid Murad. And, we have wonderful, pre-loved sportswear and handbags from Chanel, Gucci, Pucci, Hermes and Louis Vuitton,” she said.
A portion of the proceeds benefitted Glam4Good
