Style isn’t something you can buy. That power to transform an image and make a social statement was Leona Helmsley’s forte and what The New York Helmsley Hotel stands for in a nutshell.

Her presence may have been famously notorious, but so was her sense of style.

“I remember years ago sitting in the office and busy typing,” said long-time employee Mercedes. “Suddenly the door opened up, and I jumped up in reaction. There she was looking perfect and dressed so beautifully right there in front of me. She was always so beautifully dressed, and she had a very beautiful smile. She would flash it on when she liked someone and was nice to someone. You could always tell when she liked you. Before I could say anything to her about how beautiful she looked, she just walked right in, looked at me, and then just continued on. It startled me. It was almost like it never happened.”

Mercedes will always remember that blue mink too. Why? Because she wore it! “Of course I tried it on! I put it on, and I walked around with it on, and I loved it! How could I not? I couldn’t resist, and let me tell you it was gorgeous and worth it.”

Don’t worry Mercedes. We would have too!