Friday, December 7, 2012

Keeping Track of Your Couture Wardrobe

Thanks to our friend Kavita at the South China Morning Post for including Garde Robe in this interesting story about managing and keeping track of valuable possessions. "For a company such as Garde Robe, which started in New York 12 years ago as a clothing storage enterprise to help New Yorkers with limited closet space, expanding to work with jet-setting homeowners worldwide was an obvious course."  Read the full story here



Thursday, December 6, 2012

InsideHook says Garde Robe's Luggage-Free Valet Makes the Single Life Simpler


The wardrobe butlers at Garde Robe will handle your bags, storing them in a temperature-controlled room and organizing them online so that you can access different items via their Cyber Closet. What’s better: they’ll deliver your get-ups to wherever you land, be it a new pad or your vacation destination. So you don’t have any baggage. At least not literally.  

Read the post here: INSIDEHOOK

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Innovative Interior Designer Donna Livingston Finds a More Practical Solution for Seasonal Clothing Storage

Garde Robe is so lucky to have genius interior designed Donna Livingston in its corner. We had the pleasure of meeting Donna prior to her cross-country move. Maintaining access to her impeccable wardrobe was a challenge; so she came to Garde Robe for the solution.  "Their endless closet space and personalized virtual closet allow me to store my seasonal pieces and have them sent to me when the need arises. This allows for extreme convenience when I am going from coast to coast or season to season." Read the full blog post here

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Seasonal Clothing Storage Tip - Clean the Couture


Never put worn items back in the closet next to clean garments.  Of course you can wear certain garments more than once without cleaning them, but putting the worn garment back in the closet is a no-no. Even if a worn garment is “clean,” your body oils and perfume act as a magnet for material-damaging insects such as moths. These unwelcome guests can create havoc and irreparable damage.  Don’t kid yourself that a few pieces of cedar and a lavender sachet will keep your closet free from insects indefinitely. For more information about material-damaging insects, CLICK HERE 

Friday, October 5, 2012

Spring - Summer Seasonal Wardrobe Storage Tip - Invisible Stains from Hairspray

It's that time of year again - time to make room in the closets for winter coats, boots and sweaters. When storing your summer clothes be sure to have everything properly cleaned first and use breathable garment bags and boxes ONLY! Please be careful with items that appear clean but may have been exposed to hairspray - hairspray is glue, and it is very difficult to remove and can discolor garments quite quickly.  Don't risk pulling your favorite dress from storage next spring only to find the hairspray has ruined it. Learn more about "invisible stains" HERE

Friday, July 27, 2012

Keep customers coming back | Crain's New York Business

Keep customers coming back | Crain's New York Business

Garde Robe, a luxury wardrobe storage service with 15 employees in Long Island City, Queens, relies on monthly membership fees that start at $4,200 a year for much of its revenues, so keeping customers happy is critical. To that end, it has given customers tickets to Fashion Week events, sent a professional organizer over to the home of a client who was overwhelmed with paper clutter, and partnered with a high-end retailer to give away accessories. Although customer turnover generally is very low, those extras have been “the most successful things we’ve done to retain customers,” said Garde Robe Vice President Doug Greenberg.

Read more: http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20120727/SMALLBIZ/120729895#ixzz21qErz21J

Monday, June 4, 2012

The Daily Basics wonders if "Your Closet Is As Organized As Eva Longoria’s? "

Thanks to our good friend Cindy Bogart at The Daily Basics for laying out the case for why all fashion devotees and couture collectors need to consider Garde Robe. "Garde Robe is your own personal valet. Located in New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Orange County, San Diego and Tokyo, Garde Robe actually stores your clothes in their climate and security controlled lofts." Read more HERE

Friday, April 27, 2012

Inside Hook knows where to go for luxury clothes storage...

Thanks to our friends over at InsideHook for recommending Garde Robe as a Mother's Day gift. What do you get the fashionable mom who has everything?  Endless closet space and a personal wardrobe valet from Garde Robe may just be the perfect gift! Read more here...

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Avoid Moth Damage to your Clothes from Ask Teri in Wall Street Journal


Q: I got a gorgeous peach cashmere sweater last spring at the end-of-the-winter sales. There was a small makeup stain on the hem—nobody would ever see it, so I didn't rush to the cleaners. By the time I got around to wearing it for the first time in October, it was ruined by a couple of moth holes in front. I hang all my clothes in a closet lined with cedar blocks. Somebody said my closet probably needs to be fumigated.
Getty Images
—L.M., New York City
A: As more people move away from using harsh pesticides, there are more vermin to contend with—namely those carpet beetles, moths and silverfish that feast on our sweaters out of season.
I got some answers on the best way to store clothes from Doug Greenberg, vice president of GardeRobeOnline.com, a New York-based company that specializes in luxury clothing storage for private clients and fashion houses throughout the U.S.
Mr. Greenberg says not to store your clothes for months or longer without cleaning them. His basic guidelines: Wash or dry clean all your clothes before you store them away in a separate closet from the in-season clothes you're wearing now. Invest in a hand steamer, which will "sterilize garments and kill bacteria because of the heat," he says.

Monday, April 16, 2012

Dry Cleaning Bags: Toss 'Em!


Always remove those cheap, temporary dry cleaning bags from your garments before storing them in your closet. These bags are meant to keep the garment clean during transportation and are not intended for long-term use. 

Dry cleaning bags prevent garments from breathing. Out gasses from the dyes of the garment and lining can collect in the bag and cause fume fading. The lack of air movement inside the bags allows moisture to collect, resulting in mold.

Remember that clothing needs room to breathe. If you lack storage space, allow the experts at Garde Robe to give you clothing storage confidence. Garde Robe’s luxury storage facilities include top-of-the-line climate control, air purification, state-of-the-art video monitoring and more.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Private Asset Management Q & A with Doug Greenberg of Garde Robe

Thanks to Kristen Oliveri of PAM!!  Here is the Q & A:


Doug Greenberg of Garde Robe talks clothing preservation
Q: Why was Garde Robe founded?
A: Garde Robe was founded to address the fashion collector’s dire need for white-glove wardrobe storage, preservation and management services. There is no shortage of high-end art, wine and jewelry storage companies out there, but Garde Robe is the only service dedicated exclusively to caring for garments, textiles, footwear, furs and accessories. Unfortunately, many collectors are not knowledgeable about textile preservation and/or fail to treat their wardrobe as an asset worth protecting. And let’s face it, no matter how big your walk-in closet is, at a certain point every fashion devotee’s collections are going to outgrow the available space and/or become unmanageable. Garde Robe provides elegant solutions for its niche clientele.
Q: Why can fashion be considered art preservation?
A: Just look at how many fashion galleries there are at museums these days; the Metropolitan Museum of Art, for example. Its Alexander McQueen exhibit was all the rage. Like painting or sculpture, fashion is about artistic expression; and there is a historical component as well. And savvy collectors will find their pieces significantly increasing in value over time, assuming the textiles are preserved properly.
Q: What would you say is the first step in preserving an ultra-high-net-worth individual’s wardrobe?
A: Garde Robe always begins with a detailed inspection to determine if the garment is in suitable condition to be preserved long-term. Textiles must be clean and sterilized in order to be stored for any significant length of time. But the most important factor is keeping these items in a suitable location with the proper climate and using museum-quality archival tissue, garment bags and boxes that allow the fabrics to breathe. Storing these delicate items in a second home, attic or basement where temperature and humidity levels fluctuate will cause serious and often irreversible damage to the fabrics.
Q: What services does Garde Robe provide?
A: Engaging Garde Robe is akin to employing a tech-savvy valet to inventory and protect your irreplaceable garments. Garde Robe’s services include museum-quality archiving and preservation of evening wear, vintage and couture collections; seasonal storage for off-season clothing, footwear and accessories with white-glove pick up and ready-to-wear delivery upon request; luggage-free valet service allows members to travel the world or from one residence to another without having to pack or bring suitcases; 24/7 visual access to collections via a private Cyber Closet website featuring professional photography; wardrobe management software ideal for insurance purposes and featuring Virtual Stylist outfit tool; and expert garment care and valet services.
Q: What are your future plans for the firm?
A: Garde Robe is expanding to wealth centers all over the globe including London, Paris, Dubai, Hong Kong and West Palm Beach. Originally conceived for New York City residents with diminutive closet space, Garde Robe is now utilized by fashion insiders and companies the world over and has locations in New York, Tokyo, Las Vegas, and Southern California.

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Avoid Using Wire Hangers for Clothing Storage


Joan Crawford isn’t the only one who thinks wire hangers are bad. We agree!

Wire hangers are less than ideal for storing garments, especially knit fabric, which is susceptible to distortion. The weight of a knit garment alone will cause the formation of “rabbit ears” at the shoulders. Gravity is a knit's worst enemy. Store knits flat to keep them from distorting or use a broad hanger to distribute the stress evenly. Another reason to stay away from wire hangers? Over time, wire hangers will rust and stain garments.

No wire hangers—ever!

Monday, April 9, 2012

Winter Clothing Storage

As we say hello to spring, we also say "See you later!" to our winter wardrobes. Before storing your garments for several months, remember these tips:

  • Make sure garments are properly cleaned prior to storing them for an extended period of time. A garment might appear clean, but if you wore it, it might have bacteria or body oils that will damage the fabric if left untreated.
  • Purchase and use proper storage supplies, such as acid-free tissue and breathable cotton garment bags and canvas boxes. Use boot trees and toe shapers to store footwear.
  • Store garments in well-ventilated areas of the house that are free from dust, sunlight, humidity and drastic temperature changes. Basements and attics are not good storage areas.
  • Fold knits with acid-free tissue to help prevent creasing. Place the folded garments into a breathable box with the heaviest garments at the bottom.
  • Wrap cedar balls in acid-free tissue and place them in the box with the garment to prevent moth damage.
  • Never store furs at home. Furs must be stored in special cold units to maintain the life of the garment.
Garde Robe clothing experts give you winter clothing storage confidence. Garde Robe’s luxury storage facilities include top-of-the-line climate control, air purification, state-of-the-art video monitoring and more.

Monday, March 26, 2012

Wish you had more closet space?

Thanks to Jillian and the team at PureWow for recommending Garde Robe for winter clothes storage.  "Sure, we'd all love Carrie Bradshaw's closet space (not to mention her Manolo collection), but the truth is that no nonfictional New York woman has all the storage room she needs. That's why the smart ones use Garde Robe, a 24-7 clothing valet and wardrobe-holding facilityRead more here

Thursday, March 22, 2012

The Hollywood Reporter Names Top 25 Celebrity Stylists

This year's Academy Awards was a display of gorgeous gowns and exquisite style. Octavia Spencer was glamorous in her stunning Tadashi Shoji gown; Cameron Diaz shined in her form-fitting Gucci dress; and who could ever forget Angelina Jolie's leg sexy Versace gown with the thigh-high slit? If you think these stars dress themselves, think again. Behind every well-dressed A-list celebrity is a talented stylist.

Celebrities shell out big bucks for a stylist who will make them look good. "I wouldn’t say [stylists] can make or break a career, but they almost can,” said Janice Min, editor of The Hollywood Reporter.

Garde Robe helps top stylists, such as Annabel Tollman, care for their clients by providing climate-controlled storage space for buzz-worthy gowns. Garde Robe photographs and catalogs individual items and gives visual access to clients with its virtual Cyber Closet. A-list celebrity clients often keep the gowns and tuxedos from the awards shows. To keep these garments looking pristine, they rely on Garde Robe.

Celebrity Stylist Jen Rade
Top 25 most powerful stylists to the stars (according to The Hollywood Reporter)
  1. Kate Young: Clients: Michelle Williams, Natalie Portman, Rachel Weisz
  2. Leslie Fremar: Clients: Charlize Theron, Julianne Moore, Reese Witherspoon, Scarlett Johansson
  3. Petra Flannery: Clients: Emma Stone, Claire Danes, Zoe Saldana, Mila Kunis, Megan Fox, Faith Hill
  4. Elizabeth Stewart: Clients: Jessica Chastain, Viola Davis, Freida Pinto, Jennifer Lawrence, Cate Blanchett, Julia Roberts, Amanda Seyfried
  5. Kemal Harris and Karla Welch: Clients: Olivia Wilde, Hailee Steinfeld, Zooey Deschanel, Stacy Keibler, Paula Patton
  6. Jen Rade: Clients: Angelina Jolie, Pink, Katharine McPhee
  7. Ryan Hastings: Clients: Rooney Mara, Mia Wasikowska, Robert Pattinson
  8. Samantha McMillen: Clients: Carey Mulligan, Evan Rachel Wood, Dakota and Elle Fanning, Diane Lane, Colin Firth, Johnny Depp, Josh Brolin, Ryan Reynolds
  9. Deb Waknin: Clients: Sofia Vergara, Sandra Bullock, Diane Keaton, Halle Berry
  10. Christina Ehrlich: Clients: Penelope Cruz, Amy Adams, Amber Heard, Tina Fey, Julianna Margulies
  11. Jeanne Yang: Clients: Katie Holmes, Tom Cruise, Andrew Garfield, Christian Bale, Mark Wahlberg, Dustin Hoffman
  12. L’Wren Scott: Clients: Nicole Kidman, Sarah Jessica Parker
  13. Ron Zangardi and Mariel Haenn: Clients: Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, Rachel McAdams, Lily Collins
  14. Elizabeth Saltzman: Client: Gwyneth Paltrow
  15. Cher Coulter: Clients: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Kate Bosworth, Elizabeth Olsen, Sienna Miller
  16. Leith Clark: Clients: Keira Knightley, Kirsten Dunst
  17. Jessica Paster: Clients: Emily Blunt, Felicity Jones, Andrea Riseborough, Ellie Kemper
  18. Penny Lovell: Clients: Rose Byrne, Ginnifer Goodwin
  19. Wendi and Nicole Ferreira: Clients: Octavia Spencer, Elizabeth Banks, Channing Tatum, Josh Hutcherson
  20. Brad Goreski: Clients: Jessica Alba, Rashida Jones, Maya Rudolph, Demi Moore, Noomi Rapace
  21. Nicole Chavez: Clients: Rachel Bilson, Kristen Bell, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Katherine Heigl
  22. Johnny Wujek: Clients: Katy Perry, Kate Mara, Nicki Minaj
  23. George Kotsiopoulos: Clients: Janet McTeer, Alice Eve
  24. Arianne Phillips: Client: Madonna
  25. Ilaria Urbanti: Clients: Nina Dobrev, Krysten Ritter, Bradley Cooper, Armie Hammer, Chris Evans, Joel Edgerton 
Who do you think is the most fashionable celebrity?

Friday, March 16, 2012

Winter Clothing Storage Tips


So, you have the walk-in closet you always dreamed of and assembled an impeccable collection of vintage, haute couture, evening wear, footwear, furs and accessories.  Now, how do you go about protecting your precious winter wardrobe and keeping items in pristine condition during the summer? 

Never store your wardrobe in:

  • Basements or attics where the temperature and humidity levels are inconsistent
  • Closed closets in your second or infrequently visited home
  • Closets that have an outside wall (these closets tend to have higher relative humidity)
  • Near a window with sunlight
  • Plastic or vinyl bags
 Garde Robe's Lofts provide ideal storage conditions for textiles.  To learn more about how Garde Robe can protect your fashion investment, please visit our WEBSITE.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Winter to Spring: Seasonal Wardrobe Storage and Care


Department stores and boutiques are always way ahead of us: bathing suits appear on the racks in the middle of a February snowstorm, and sweaters surface on the hottest day in August. But why? Fashionistas know that designers release new clothing lines every spring and fall, following the fashion cycles. Retailers take advantage of these cycles by displaying new seasonal items as early as possible. It's also a nudge to begin your spring cleaning to make way for new clothes.

Although, technically, winter is here for another two months, it’s never too early to consider your plan of attack for clearing the clutter. (After all, what else is there to do when you're snowed-in for the day?) When you’re ready to transition from cozy coats to skin-baring summer styles, closet organization and smart storage techniques are key.

Proper seasonal wardrobe storage is imperative to keep garments looking fresh and ready to wear for next year. Dry cleaning expert Chuck Horst, president of Margaret's Cleaners in southern California and vice president of Garde Robe West, advises against overcrowding garments. "Clothes need to breathe," says Horst. "Crowded closets with minimal airflow and dark spaces can promote mildew growth and create nesting places for insect larvae to feed on fabric." Horst also recommends making sure that all clothing is clean and repaired before storing.

Not all of us are afforded extra closet space with our tiny city apartments or lofts. Often, our massive wardrobes necessitate large closets that simply don’t exist. Using an offsite storage and valet service like Garde Robe takes the guesswork out of properly storing precious--and often pricey--garments.

While deciding which items to keep, store, or toss, keep one thing in mind: the weather. Elizabeth Larkin, personal-organizing expert and writer for About.com, says to keep layering pieces at-the-ready between seasons. Although spring can feel like a short season (depending on where you live), during this time, many people are met with chilly mornings and evenings and warmer temperatures during the day. Having light layering items, such as jackets and scarves, at hand will prepare you for sudden temperature changes.

It might only be January; but because closet organizing is a daunting, time-consuming task, it's never too early to begin planning for the seasonal transition. After all, our favorite designers and retailers won’t hesitate to stock the shelves with bathing suits and shorts while we're snowed-in, just thinking about organizing our wardrobes.