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Mellen started her career as a salesgirl and display designer at Lord&Taylor.

One of Mellen's iconic styling fashion image was the Natassja Kinski and the snake Vogue cover, which appeared in 1981, then was blown up into a famous poster. The inspiration of including a snake into the shoot was because of Kinski's interest in snakes when they move.

She retired in 2001 after winning the CFDA Lifetimes Achievement Award, to spend time with her family. Though, is enjoying a mini comeback because of her inclusion in the new book, In Vogue: The Editor's Eye, and her appearance in the HBO documentary of the same name. She stars alongside Vogue fashion editors Barbs Simpson, Tonne Goodman, and Grace Coddington.