Yolanda Cellucci at the PEM

A few years ago I was honored to be invited to the gala for the “New PEM.” As part of the museum’s new wing, they added a Fashion and Design gallery, located on the third floor of the museum’s new wing.

While much of the gallery is devoted to one of my fashion icons, Iris Apfel, the gallery also regularly rotates items from other fashionistas and designers alike.

While the gallery was closed the last time I visited the PEM, they recently reopened it, unveiling more than 100 works from the museum’s global fashion and textile collection.

Of those 100 pieces, the gallery now includes 40 recent acquisitions that spotlight the glittering collection of Boston-based entrepreneur Yolanda Cellucci.

Before being invited to view the updated gallery, I am embarrassed to admit that I had only heard of this fashion icon once or twice. Of course, I looked into her right away and was amazed to learn her story.

I’ve never thought of Boston as a fashion “hot spot” but it turns out that in 1968, when Cellucci entered the Boston fashion scene, the city’s retail fashion business was bustling. Her eponymous shop, Yolanda’s, opened in Waltham, MA and it became the place for the woman about town to purchase their evening and wedding ensembles.

Unlike many women’s boutiques of the time, Yolanda’s not only offered designer pieces and style consultations, but also cosmetology procedures, and you could also book a service at the shop’s day spa.

Yolanda closed the final iteration of her shop, a bridal salon, in 2009. But even at 88 she has her own cable access show, wrote an autobiography and published a series of children’s books. These are the types of people that I find both inspiring and intimidating in the best way possible.

When I mentioned the opportunity to visit the collection my mom, she knew exactly who I was talking about and asked if she could come along – of course! And believe it or not, Arielle really likes visiting museums, especially when there is sparkle involved. Luckily, Yolanda loves her sparkle as you can see from the photos.

I think my favorite pieces in the exhibit were the three elaborate headpieces below. The swan headdress on the left was inspired by the Boston Garden’s Swan Boats, while the piece on the far life actually features a white and rhinestone Eiffel Tower.

I also would kill for the dress in the middle of the photo below. This gorgeous cream and gold masterpiece, complete with fur collar and sparkling headpiece, was what Yolanda wore to one of her daughter’s weddings.