Tips on how to organize the most important items:
- Rachel Zoe uses clear nail storage bins for her jewelry collection
- Use chic bookends to anchor a long row of handbags
- Choose a theme when decorating and stay committed to it making your closet you.
- Kimora has everything in her closet on her computer so she can easily put together outfits, duplicate this method using MyClosetMyLife a website that allows you to upload your entire wardrobe, organize it by type/color/designer/occasion/season, create outfits, see what you have recently worn and even has a category of “dirty clothes” in case you can’t remember where that perfect James Perse tee is you’ve been searching for went.
Where to get the necessary tools
Nationwide: California Closets
New York: Anthony’s Custom Closets used by Jamie-Lynn Sigler
L.A. Clayton Asher Doyle of Plantation who did Maria Menounos’s closet
Miami’s The Closet Company
The Container Store’s Elfa department does custom closets consultations for free.
Closets that Evoke Major Envy:
Eva Longoria’s most prized possession in her closet is a hot pink Hermes Birkin
Nicky Hilton’s? A custom made Cavalli dress.
Paula Abdul has her outfits numbered in coordination with accessories for quick packing between trips.
Mariah Carey’s closet is climate controlled with bleached wood floors and gold-leaf detailing and organizes it by color, material and event-specific.
Jamie-Lynn Sigler had her closet custom made by Anthony’s Custom Closets on Long Island, NY
Victoria Beckham is the queen of closets by far. The closet she had built in her California mansion cost $500,000 and includes features such as a leather floor, a Baccarat crystal chandelier, an $80,000 Andy Warhol shoe print, a computer that keeps track of when she wears each piece of clothing so she never repeats, and a camera to give her a 360 degree view of her outfit before she hits the streets.
Other Celeb Closets:
Oprah:
Nicole Richie:
Kim Catrall:
Jessica Alba:
Dita’s Powder Room:
Aerin Lauder:
Owner of Vivre Eva Jeanbart-Lorenzotti:
Rachel Zoe:
Must-Haves: lots of shelf room, color coordination, identical hangers (I favor wooden instead of cheap plastic that could cause your clothes to become misshapen), a bust with your dimensions on which you hang tomorrows outfit for the next day, at least two shoe racks which can double as storage for shoes as well as wristlets and small clutches, a frame-less full length mirror, fantastic lighting, seating for when you need a rest while waiting for inspiration to hit you, a Bose surround sound stereo system so you can sashay to French techno while admiring the Choos on your left foot and then the Manolos on your right, baskets for smaller pieces like flip-flops, hooks for belts and necklaces, a steamer and shoe/boot shapers to prevent the leather from creasing.
Dilemmas to Consider Before Beginning:
- T-shirt and jean collections: fold or hang?
- Seasonal storage: where and how will you store summer sundresses and wedge sandles during brutal winters to make room for your Crocheted Uggs, Emilio Pucci Moon Boots, Quilted Burbery Down Coat, Frye Dorado Riding boots, Sheepskin detailed accessories, Louboutin Ginerva Tall Boots, and apres-ski apparel?
- Separate coat closet to reduce bulk?
- Organization. By color? Shape? Type? Designer?
Final Thoughts:
1. Quality clothes/shoes = investments and wearable art. Take care of your things and you will be rewarded with the extent of their longevity. Protect your suede with fabric-specific sprays, use designated lingerie and linen detergent (I picked a great one up at Pratesi on Newbury) and get your boots polished to hide and protect against scuffs and water damage.
2. All of the things hanging in your closet are attached to moments and memories and deserve a special home.
3. Having your closet organized is so important to make it easier to find things, be able to see what you have and then donate pieces you never wear to make room for new ones.
4. Have fun: decorate your closet to make it unique. Whether it be painting the walls your signature color, hanging your favorite fashionable art pieces, pretty carpeting or chosing rose light bulbs for more flattering lighting.
5. If you could shop the closet of any celebrity who would it be!? Mine would include Victoria Beckham’s multitude of Hermes handbags, Mariah’s shoe collection, Kim Kardashian’s array of Herve Leger bandage dresses (but in size 4), Carmen Electra’s lingerie collection, Nicole Richies sunglass collection and Rachel Zoe’s jewelry and accessories.
XOXO
vhsdit03
March 24, 2009love the entry, aristobrat!
my closet would consist of kim catrall’s shoe collections, mk olsen’s giant bags, nicole richie’s light-as-air dresses, and kate moss’s stella mc’s clothes– at least some inspired by kate’s closet. one must be realistic about what she can wear!