YOLANDA CELLUCCI: A LOOK AT HER LIFE, AND HER CLOSET
For nearly five decades, Yolanda Cellucci has been a glamorous fixture of the Boston fashion industry. A self-made woman and business powerhouse, Yolanda began her career in 1967. Married and with children of her own at age 27, Cellucci was met at the time with a series of financial difficulties that caused her hair to fall out due to stress. In light of this situation, Yolanda turned to wigs. Unfortunately, the quality of wigs sold at the time dissatisfied her, and she began to style wigs of her own in order to make them look like her natural hair. Through word of mouth, Yolanda began a business styling other people’s wigs into something realistic and beautiful. Soon after, Cellucci opened her own store, “Yolanda,” in Waltham, MA.
Yolanda’s bridal boutique flourished, growing to include a restaurant, health club, swimming pool, limousine service, hair salon, manicures, facials, massages, and a fashion selection suited for all women. The chief mission of Yolanda and her business was to “help every woman feel like a real woman,” focusing on weddings and the many elements that accompany them. Yolanda’s expansive boutique thrived for 41 years before closing its doors in 2009, but Cellucci’s passion for empowering women did not end there. Throughout her life, Yolanda has been a devoted philanthropist, raising and donating large sums of money to a variety of charities through elaborate gala events hosted by Yolanda herself. Her over-the-top costumes were a staple at each event. The clothes and costumes worn by this “Goddess of Glitz” are just the tip of the sparkly iceberg, for it was through fashion that Yolanda changed not only her own life, but the lives of others.
Yolanda sat down with StyleUp Editor-in-Chief Pamela Masucci and myself to film an episode of her cable television show, Yolanda Style & Glamour, which can be found on WCAC-TV Channel 8 in Waltham. After our interview discussing the magazine and several other topics, Yolanda agreed to show us some of her personal wardrobe favorites and essentials—pieces that truly reflected the Yolanda Cellucci fashion DNA. This DNA, or style aesthetic, can best be described as glamorous purity. All of the garments she presented were in shades of white and enhanced with Swarovski crystals, feathers, fur, and sequins.
Above: Nolan Christopher Wills on Yolanda’s TV show Yolanda: Style & Glamour, discussing fashion and StyleUp magazine.
Little White Dress
The first piece Yolanda showed was this little off-white dress, complete with white feathers surrounding the hem. Yolanda tells me, “I wanted to have fun with it. My daughter Sondra Celli created it, and I wore it to the drag brunch held every year by Daniel Faucher.”
Sondra Celli is widely known for her flamboyant creations featured on TLC’s hit TV show, My Big Fat American Gypsy Wedding, so it came as no surprise that such a fabulous designer was also Yolanda’s daughter. The two are truly cut from the same sequined cloth. The large crystal necklace was purchased while on vacation in Aruba.
The Bling Ring
The next item was a beautiful cocktail ring embellished with crystals, another unique piece that perfectly encapsulates the Yolanda style DNA. Feminine, eye-catching, and elegantly glamorous, Yolanda often wears this ring to many events. It, too, was created by Sondra Celli.
Foxy Cashmere
Day-to-day fashion should not be difficult, and it is clear that Yolanda understands the compromise of comfort with a dash of glam. This elegant cashmere and fox fur coat was purchased by Yolanda at Neiman Marcus and is a favorite of hers.
Incognito
This white BCBG suit, topped off with a Neiman Marcus hat reading “Incognito” along the brim, was worn by Yolanda to a brunch. The suit is classic and elegant, exuding confidence while also conveying a sense of humor when paired with the “Incognito” hat.
Sequins
Sequins is done right in this well-cut silver sequins jumpsuit custom-made by Sondra Celli. Worn to an event held by designer David Joseph, this jumpsuit is pure Yolanda, embodying that fashion is about having fun.
“Goddess of Glitz”
Upon researching Yolanda Cellucci’s life and career, and seeing some of her favorite clothes, it is clear that her love of fashion is not just material. Fashion has given Yolanda a vehicle to deliver confidence and empowerment to everyone who came through her boutique doors and to those who continue to flock to her for the inspiring, glitzy magic she offers. The fabric of Yolanda Cellucci is one of a high moral thread count, for she discovered what gave her strength and chose to share it with the world.