Remember our stylist rule of thumb: Attention to the little things makes a big impact. Have a great, green summer!  xx Trinity Rose

Photo by Tracy Morford

Win a School Of Style Scholarship!

Love rock and roll? Love fashion? We love both, which is why we are excited to announce a styling contest with School Of Style, the place to learn the basics of becoming a celebrity and red carpet stylist. Founded by Luke Storey, celebrity stylist, School Of Style is best known for styling some of music's top artists including No Doubt and Marilyn Manson.... Luke dresses rock and Hollywood royalty.

But now,  Luke wants to see how YOU would style your favorite musical artist. The best outfit will win a scholarship to School Of Style, the world's first and only school for aspiring fashion stylists.

Details: From July 6 through July 12th, members can style an outfit that is inspired by their favorite rock and roll music artist. The looks  will be judged by celebrity stylist and founder of School Of Style, Luke Storey. School Of Style has provided some of their favorite pieces to get you started. The member who creates the best outfit will win a scholarship to School Of Style's Class 1 in either New York City or Los Angeles (winner's choice).

Prize: The grand prize is a scholarship to School Of Style Class 1 in either New York or Los Angeles, which is a weekend-long workshop that prepares students for a career in wardrobe/fashion styling. Valued at $375*.

To Enter:

By Emma Santangelo

Melanie,  how did you come up with the idea behind Clos-ette?
About 10 years ago, a designer friend approached me to help her with her showroom and boutique as she needed to set it up for editors and buyers to visit.  I went in and did the remodeling work, and then she hired us to work on her loft, because she loved the outcome so much.  That’s basically where the idea behind Clos-ette came from.

Do you believe that an organized closet makes a fashionable woman?
I definitely do, I think organization can help us with our thoughts and as well as with our clothing. Just like in a store, it’s easier for you to shop when it everything is displayed well. It’s the same thing for your closet: when it’s set up appropriately, it helps. It really doesn’t even matter what the size of your wardrobe is, if things are untidy and discombobulated, it’s not going to work for you to get in there every day to figure out what you need and what you have and get yourself dressed.

How do you personally organize your closet?  Do you arrange by color, clothing type, most-worn to least-worn, etc.?
Ideally, the way you organize matches up with your personality.  Some people fall into the “outfit” category and some fall into the “separates” category. I’m a big category person, especially with my shoes.

If you are “Separates” you mix and match a lot of items in your wardrobe. I organize my items by color and by type. So all my shirts are together in one big section, with sub-categories: all my long sleeve shirts then all my sleeveless shirts are together, etc.  Same thing for dresses, from cocktail to day, and so on.  Everything is always organized from lightest to darkest.

But of course, some people work best with their clothing organized into complete outfits. I often times also create a hanging space that is a packing space for myself, I travel quite extensively, so I create a packing space to help myself visualize what I want to bring. At Clos-ette, we really tailor to the client and the way he or she likes to get dressed.

Here is how I would do it at home:
•    Start by taking an overall inventory and editing.  Weed out the things that you haven’t been wearing for awhile.  The question that I always ask my clients is, “would I buy this now?” and “would I wear this now?”  If you can’t afford a stylist to help you with your items, have a friend come over with a glass of wine and have them go through your closet with you.  If you’re someone who doesn’t get rid of stuff easily, you’ll definitely need the extra help in deciding. 
•    Next do an inventory of all of the items you have left.
•    Then, figure out what how it’s easiest to get dressed. You may have to go to through more than one organizing round so you can figure it out. And you’ll have to do more specifics, like evening wardrobe items, or types of pants (work, summer, weekend, etc.)  Some people work better with categories like that.
•    Get the same type of hanger for everything and then organize it all by category, then color.  When everything is on the same hanger, it’s easier to visually comprehend what you have to work with.

What is the best way to handle shoes?
Shoes are a pain point when you’re limited with space, as they take up a lot of it.  The best way to organize shoes is to sit them on a shelf that is slightly tilted forward so shoes are easier to see. One major thing: Don’t keep them in their boxes if you can. I’m not a fan of putting a photo of the shoe on the outside of boxes, especially if you’re limited on space.  If you have limited space, it’s best to line the floor of your closet with shoes.  Or you can go to the Container Store and buy a double layer shoe holder.

For accessories like hats, scarves and belts, how do you fit them into the overall organization of the closet?
If you come to us for design, we have many ways to architecturally construct storage areas.  If you don’t have the money to hire us, I’d say that unused shallow wall-space is the best way to hang accessories.  Get a level, get a hammer, and put up a bracket for items such as hats, scarves, belts, etc.  And put a mirror next to the area so you can have your little accessories niche. For handbags, don’t scrunch them all in drawers.  I like to put them on out on shelves, with some tissue paper balled into the shape of an egg inside them, almost like a shoe-form, to help them stand up and keep their shape

Jewelry - it's delicate, what's the best way to display but protect and store?
Check out the Clos-ette jewelry box and storage solutions in the photos above - pegboards are great, as you can see. And catch us on QVC next week - details below - where we will be selling our traveling jewelry case!

As seasons change, so do the clothes we wear.  For those of us who don’t have room to keep all of our clothing in our closets at all times, are there some staple pieces that you recommend leaving in the closet year-round?
Your sweaters are a staple piece.  You can use them year-round.  If you have the space to leave them in your closet, definitely leave them.

What’s the coolest closet you’ve ever been in?
(Laughs) Well, Beyoncé and Jay-Z had amazing wardrobes. Who else, let’s see…Julianna Margulise, Liv Tyler, Phil Collins, Eva Longoria….. love them!

For more information and ideas about closet organizing, visit Clos-ette online or check out Melanie's book, Shop Your Closet, available on Amazon here.

***CATCH CLOS-ETTE ON QVC!!!*** We don't want you to miss out on our QVC debut! Tune in on June 2, 2010 at 9am EST on QVC for Clos-ette Too's initial launch. We will be selling our coveted traveling jewelry case on QVC's show, My Time with Mary Beth. Mark your calendars! If you miss it, the product will also be available on QVC.com.

For everyone else, Karen, the creator of Purple Lab, is offering a 20% discount (!) on all things Purple Lab for 2 weeks only for Closet Couture members....  Just in time for summer to stock up on glosses, lipsticks and more.  See the whole line and buy here.

Use the code "Closetcouture" on www.purplelabnyc.com for your discount today.

Grand Prize Winner is Lady Diane for this beautiful look:

View Details & More Outfits »

First Runner Up is NoryBoop with a perfectly styled makeup / clothing ensemble:

View Details & More Outfits »

Second Runner Up is Jodytodack for this edgy take:

View Details & More Outfits »

Get your Purple Lab love - and your exclusive 20% discount courtesy of Karen - at PurpleLabNYC, use discount code "Closetcouture" at checkout. The offer is good for 2 weeks from today.

As Karen would say, MWAH, we loved the outfits!

Pictured, above:

Here are some outfits that have been entered already - can you beat them?

View Details & More Outfits >>

View Details & More Outfits >>

View Details & More Outfits >>

DETAILS: From April 27 through May 1, 2010, members can style outfits using Purple Lab's makeup as inspiration.  Purple Lab has provided items from some of their favorite brands to get you started, but use anything from your closet or from others!  The creators of the top THREE outfits that best represent Purple Lab beauty (as selected by an expert panel from Purple Lab) will win Purple Lab Swag!

PRIZES: First Prize is a collection of Purple Lab beauty products valued at $300; second prize is a collection of products valued at $100 and third place is $50 worth of product.

TO ENTER:
1.    Follow PurpleLabNYC on Closet Couture to read more about the collection and get access to the closet.

2.    Make an outfit inspired by their makeup line, featuring at least ONE item from the Purple Lab makeup selections in their closet and anything else from your closet or others.

3.    Save the outfit and include “Purple Lab” in the title of the outfit**.

Enter as many times as you’d like, and PurpleLab will pick the 3 outfits that they like best, one winner with two runners up!  Winners will be announced the week of May 20, 2010. You can see what outfits others have created here.  Good luck and may the most stylish win!


Terms and Conditions apply, read them here.

** You must be registered to save your outfit, otherwise, we won't be able to contact you if you win!! Also, you won't have access to other people's closets for the contest if you are not registered - you will only see the Purple Lab closet. Register to find more groovy items to use!  You can register here - it's super fast and free.

I am SO excited to announce the winners of the Jimmy Choo 24:7 styling contest!  As you recall, the 3 winners of the contest will each win three pairs of Jimmy Choo's - one of each pictured above!

After considering more than 4,000 outfits made over two weeks, the Jimmy Choo team has made their final selections of winning outfits.  Without further ado, here they are:

By munchkinmiralla:

By cfjoyner:

By Lady_Diane:

No doubt we would all like to see how the winners actually wear their brand new Choo's - so keep us posted so we (I!) may live vicariously through your winnings!

Congratulations to you all!

We are happy to bring you all our first ever makeup styling contest on Closet Couture, with Purple Lab!  The cheeky, irreverant approach to makeup that founder Karen Robinovitz brings to her line (read our Q&A with her here) is charming and fun, and reminds us that makeup is something to play with.

DETAILS: From April 27 through May 1, 2010, members can style outfits using Purple Lab's makeup as inspiration.  Purple Lab has provided items from some of their favorite brands to get you started, but use anything from your closet or from others!  The creators of the top THREE outfits that best represent Purple Lab beauty (as selected by an expert panel from Purple Lab) will win Purple Lab Swag!

PRIZES: First Prize is a collection of Purple Lab beauty products valued at $300; second prize is a collection of products valued at $100 and third place is $50 worth of product.

TO ENTER:
1.    Follow PurpleLabNYC on Closet Couture to read more about the collection and get access to the closet.

2.    Make an outfit inspired by their makeup line, featuring at least ONE item from the Purple Lab makeup selections in their closet and anything else from your closet or others.

3.    Save the outfit and include “Purple Lab” in the title of the outfit**.

Enter as many times as you’d like, and PurpleLab will pick the 3 outfits that they like best, one winner with two runners up!  Winners will be announced the week of May 20, 2010. You can see what outfits others have created here.  Good luck and may the most stylish win!


Terms and Conditions apply, read them here.

** You must be registered to save your outfit, otherwise, we won't be able to contact you if you win!! Also, you won't have access to other people's closets for the contest if you are not registered - you will only see the Purple Lab closet. Register to find more groovy items to use!  You can register here - it's super fast and free.

Karen is a NYC lady about town with fabulous personal style.  We took a few minutes from her busy schedule to investigate her style and how she started Purple Lab.

How would you describe your personal style?  Which designers rule your closet, besides your own?

My style ranges depending on the day – downtown rocker chic one day, bohemian and flowy with a 70s spin the next, streamlined and sleek with wide leg pants, the perfect white button down and a fedora if the mood strikes, out-and-out bold glamour (talking blue animal print Lanvin with red sky scraper heels).

The designers that reign my wardrobe: Rick Owens, Lanvin, Balenciaga, Givenchy, Alexander Wang, and a fair share of Proenza for good measure. If you gave me $1,000, I’d rather buy one thing than many!

Whom or what do you look to for design inspiration?

I’m always inspired by contemporary art – the moods it evokes, so I often find myself in and out of galleries in Chelsea. Kate Moss is a constant inspiration and I have a collage of her in my closet. She’s like my Magic Eight Ball when I have nothing to wear!

How did you come up with the idea for Purple Lab?

I always dreamed of having a brand. I just didn’t know what it would be about or when it would happen. I was at a cocktail party with my husband about three years ago. After over-indulging on the carbs, I told Todd I had to go home. I had ring-around-the-waist. You know, when your pants suddenly feel one size too small!

He was so disappointed. We were only there for a short time. As I was putting my lip gloss on, I jokingly said, “if this gloss could plump my lips, not my hips, I wouldn’t be in this mess.”

That’s when it hit me. OMG! Lip gloss with plumper AND Hoodia! It would be my dream product. I’d call it “Huge Lips Skinny Hips!” Todd encouraged me to make it and that was the start of a brand, which is fashion inspired and all about double duty beauty.

Since then, we launched six new products with more on the way. We run the company together.

How do you design the line and colors? What is your process?

I really just think about what I want my makeup to do and how it will fit into my life. While it’s a beauty brand, it’s very much inspired by fashion and a stylish life of a busy woman who wants multi-tasking products with a hit of humor and whimsy. I look at it the way I do my clothes – serious and fun at once.

Every shade is meant to be universally flattering, not trend driven, so it’s your go-to color for any time, day, and night. And the names are very fashion-y – There’s a red shade of Huge Lips Skinny Hips called Red Sole, an homage to Louboutin.

Tell us about your first fashion memory – how did you get hooked?

I was four years old and walking down the street in Palm Beach, Florida, with my parents. All of a sudden, I saw something that lit me up inside and I yelled, “Look, Mommy! G! U! C! C! I! Gucci!” It was the first word I read. My parents knew they were headed for trouble!

What is your fashion skeleton in your closet?  Something that you just cannot part with no matter how out of date, etc….

I don’t have a hard time parting with the skeletons that I know I would never, ever, ever wear again. So right now, none are in there! All clean!

Favorite Accessory that you have?

My engagement ring and a red, black and white striped python knuckle-duster Alexander McQueen clutch. I die over it.

How do you like to shop?  Do you prefer going with friends or alone or having things sent to you?

I like to go alone. I really become friends with the staff at many of the stores where I shop so when I’m there, it’s play time. I love to try on everything, the most extreme items and be the guinea pig to see how things fit if they haven’t been tried yet. And I love it when a store will send me photos of what they get in, the minute they get it in!

What is your favorite city to shop in and what are your favorite stores / haunts there?

New York City and Paris.

In NYC: Kirna Zabete, Curve, Resurrection, Barneys, Jeffrey, Alexander McQueen. Who could ask for anything more?

In Paris: Colette, Onward, Didier Ludot for vintage, the flea markets, and all the flagships (Balenciaga, Lanvin, etc.).

Who are your personal style icons?

My mom in the 70s and 80s – I wish she saved all of her pieces. They were amazing. I do have all of her honeymoon dresses, though!

Kate Moss, Talitha Getty, Carine Roitfeld, Lou Doillon, Bianca Jagger circa Studio 54, Coco Chanel, Diana Vreeland.

What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
It doesn’t matter what’s going on outside if you don’t feel good inside.


What is your favorite kind of event to get dressed for?

Black tie especially if I can borrow diaomonds. But I don’t like to be in the box about it. I will wear a gown with a motorcycle jacket and fingerless gloves or take it the extreme and find a way to make denim dressed-up and sophisticated. Linda Evangelista wore Notify black denim to the Costume Institute Gala once – a heavenly fashion moment.

What’s the usual Purple Lab outfit for casual dinner with friends?

Current/Elliot jeans, Alexander Wang Tshirt, Rick Owens leather jacket in metallic copper, McQueen snake-print scarf, six inch heels, oversized hoop earrings, an arm full of bangles.

What do you love about Closet Couture?

I love how we can play dress up, create looks, share with others and inspire one another. Fashion should be a girl’s club!

What is the best piece of advice about makeup you ever received?

Like an outfit, make one thing stand out. If it’s the eyes, go nude on the lips. If it’s heavy lips, go nude on the eyes. And always feel confident or nothing else matters.

What advice would you give to our members about makeup?

Don’t be afraid to take risks and try something new – if you don’t do smoky eyes, try it; if you’re afraid of red lips, put them on! Have fun with it! Don’t take it all so seriously.

Pair them with a smart boyfriend blazer and jeans for a look that goes from lunch to evening out.  For work, add to a dress and cardigan combination or a suit for a little more punch to your everyday look.

Here are a couple of our favorites for spring - how would you wear them?

Cara Accessories Crystal Bib Necklace with Ribbon: $85, available here.

Mirit Weinstock Necklace (can double as a belt too): $164, available here.

Kate Spade Cortes Triple Paillette Necklace: $225, available here.

Peachoo and Krejberg Big Bead Necklace: $610, available here.

House of Lavande Unsigned Gold Dragon Pendant: $468, available here.