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.