Every year, Marilyn Hellman, owner of Marilyn’s in Naples, Florida, spends several weeks in Europe, meeting with designers, studying trends, and selecting the best possible European fashion options for her clients. Marilyn has seen many collections with many different inspirations. She notes, “Inspiration can come from anywhere. A new baby, a culture change, or even a current event.”
 
There are three main elements to Hellman’s selection process. First, she selects items that she believes will excite her customers, and that will convey the designer’s inspiration and intentions. Second, she chooses the pieces that will be relevant to her customers’ lifestyle. And finally, she considers her customers’ current wardrobe, and how the new pieces will fit within. Hellman firmly believes that fashion should be worn for the pleasure of the wearer. 
 
Marilyn Hellman is an expert at seeking out little-known, high-end brands in cozy-chic European fashion designer showrooms during her regular and extensive buying trips.  This “hunt” for something special is what makes Marilyn’s store so unique. According to Hellman, one of the big differences between her European buying method and domestic buying is that in Europe, the designer is almost always present when the buyer visits the showroom.

The designer will present their collections, typically with models walking in certain garments. Marilyn will select various pieces from the collection, making decisions on which tops will be matched with various bottoms, which dresses will excite her customers, and what choices will be made to change colors, fabrications, and design details to build an exclusive collection for the store. 
 
Marilyn says, ”I want to be able to show a customer not only what they can be now, but how to become all that they imagine.”
 
Shopping at Marilyn’s is like stepping into a European fashion designer showroom with an eclectic selection of clothing, accessories, jewelry and shoes that can’t be found in other stores in the area. You can experience the thrill of finding something truly different among the collections offered by browsing Marilyn’s at 375 5th Avenue South in Naples, Florida.