In Naples, Florida, few individuals have shaped the city’s cultural and fashion landscape as profoundly as Marissa Hartington. She is a figure of quiet but unmistakable influence, known not just for her discerning eye but for how she’s built and sustained one of the nation’s most respected luxury retail destinations—Marissa Collections. Her presence is felt more than seen, her legacy defined not by fanfare but by finely tuned taste and unwavering standards. Speak to clients, collaborators, and designers, and a single picture emerges: Marissa knows her clients’ closets better than they do, spots talent long before the industry does, and elevates Naples’ aesthetic identity through tireless, thoughtful effort.
Founded in 1975, Marissa Collections began as a modest boutique but has since expanded to include Palm Beach and a broader portfolio of women’s fashion, menswear, fine jewelry, and beauty. Despite the growth, its essence has remained rooted in precision—an immaculate edit of pieces chosen with surgical care. Over five decades, the store has served not merely as a retail destination but as a cultural institution and trendsetter, all orbiting the creative vision of one woman. Whether straightening racks, adjusting hangers, or ensuring music sets the right mood—down to switching a sleepy ambient track to reggaeton—Marissa’s eye governs every detail. Even a neighboring restaurant’s dirty windows don’t escape her notice, underscoring her reverence for the designers she represents and the customers who place their trust in her.
Her husband, Burt Hartington, reflects on her qualities with admiration, searching for a term that fully captures her presence before settling on the word “lady”—not just in elegance, but in depth of character. The term may seem simple, but in Marissa’s world, it encompasses vision, values, and resolve. American fashion icon Michael Kors, a friend for over 30 years, describes her as a woman who never loses sight of what lies ahead, even amid life’s inevitable storms.
Her understanding of fashion is also rooted in a deep appreciation for history and culture. In Naples, seated in the Oscar de la Renta showroom of her store, Marissa discusses the interconnectedness of global fashion, referencing the Silk Road, Japanese embroidery, Persian opulence, and Dutch artistry. To her, a piece of clothing is never just fabric—it’s a story, a fragment of heritage. Holding a black cocktail dress by Erdem, she conjures images of ballet performances in St. Petersburg. It’s this storytelling approach that shapes how she styles her clients—helping them not just look their best but express aspects of themselves they hadn’t considered.
Her impact isn’t reserved for clients alone. Fashion-forward individuals like Ashley Gerry, the timelessly elegant Kathleen Kapnick, and former employee-turned-model Karen Van Arsdale all attest to Marissa’s unique ability to push boundaries while maintaining grace. Her reserved demeanor—partly due to an illness that affected her vocal cords—sometimes gives off an impression of distance, but close observers quickly note her humor, warmth, and deep maternal energy. Colleagues affectionately describe her as a mama bear with impeccable taste and fierce loyalty.
Marissa’s path to fashion was anything but conventional. Born in communist Poland, she was raised in a household that prioritized art, culture, and intellect. Her journey from psychology studies in Kraków to pharmaceutical work in the U.S. led her, at 25, to Naples. At the time, the town offered natural beauty but little in the way of cultural sophistication. Marissa saw a void—and filled it. Her first boutique, located on Tamiami Trail, introduced natural fabrics in cooling palettes that instantly resonated with locals craving relief from synthetic trends. She met Burt shortly after, and they quickly became business and life partners. Their son, Jay, later became an integral part of the business, now serving as CEO.
Throughout its evolution—from early retail experiments to the move to the pink building on Third Street South in the late 1980s—Marissa Collections remained rooted in authenticity. As Naples began to transform, so did her influence. She became an aesthetic compass for the city, introducing American fashion trailblazers like Michael Kors and Calvin Klein while also bringing European houses like Gucci and Prada into the local consciousness. Unlike other small-town retailers, she looked beyond New York, venturing into European fashion circuits with ease.
Despite her wide-ranging knowledge, Marissa never succumbed to trends or labels. To her, elegance isn’t about symmetry, logos, or price tags—it’s about what fits and flatters the individual. Her focus has always been on the client, and that personal connection has led to countless stories of life-changing encounters. Whether it was suggesting the right look in passing or encou
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