Jennie has appointments all day long in CAPITOL clients' closets (free of charge!) in which she organizes by color and classification, weeds out donations, highlights keepers, suggests what is lacking and creates outfits with new and existing pieces. She even puts together printed up booklets with lists of potential outfits! The finishing touch? Packing suitcases for trips, where she spritzes knits with Diptyque lavender spray and wraps clothes by outfit/day in CAPITOL's signature blue tissue paper. A.MAZ.ING.
Today you'll get a peek at what it might be like to have Jennie tackle your closet as she takes us through a step-by-step wardrobe consult with owner Laura Poole (whose wardrobe, by the way, is STUNNING, of course). And guess what? Because we love you so much, one lucky reader will be winning a consult with her as well!! (More on that to come...)
*1. Calendar Review: When CAPITOL senior stylist Jennie Wrenn comes to "do a closet", she first discusses any upcoming events or trips the client needs to be prepared for. Laura Vinroot Poole (left) reviews with Jennie (right) her schedule for an upcoming quick trip to NYC. She flies in for a working lunch with a magazine editor, then has several meetings at which she would like to be comfortable on her feet, yet of the season. Day two will consist of appointments leading directly into an early evening cocktail party and dinner. She will not have time to change, so her look needs to take her from day to evening.*2. Closet Review: Jennie carefully walks through Laura's closet, noting pieces to update for the spring season, pulling out pieces to store or to donate, and assessing the strengths and what may be lacking in the wardrobe.
*3. Suggestions to Store: Jennie suggests to store for two or three seasons a Miu Miu green scuba dress, as it is such a recognizable look from the fall 2008 sportif collection. She also pulls out a few fur boleros and a shearling, which she certainly won't be wearing for a few months. She notes that an Andrew Gn feathered white strapless gown needs a minor repair and cleaning. And finally, she recommends that Laura's pointy-toed Chloe heels from three years ago be donated along with a dated pair of strappy orange kitten-heeled Manolos. Investing in a few current shoe silhouettes is the easiest way to update your existing wardrobe.
*4. Day 1 For NYC: Laura adores her Balenciaga Edition blue floral dress, a reissue of an original 1960s design by the legendary Cristobol Balenciaga.
*5. Spring 2008: She would love to wear this dress for her first day in NY, but the pink shawl, matching blue croc clutch and thong heels she paired it with last spring are too sweet to look current. Besides, wearing those heels all day darting through the airport and around NY to lunch and appointments is just not realistic.*6. Spring 2009: Jennie suggests adding a dose of this season's "toughness" to Laura's pretty floral dress. She adds a studded Balenciaga wide belt, a Rodarte arrowhead necklace, Laura's beaded tribal bangles from Kenya, and Golden Goose motorcycle boots (comfortably flat!) for edge, but balances it all with a highlighter pink Isaac Mizrahi cardigan. Jennie believes that when adding elements of trend to an outfit, the wearer's underlying personal style should always be maintained--in this case, Laura's sunny Doris Day-femininity.
*7. Day 2 for NYC: Laura's Alaia black dress is chic, comfortable and packs well (knits are great anti-wrinklers when traveling). For appointments during the day, Jennie pairs it back to a luggage-colored Proenza Schouler wide double-buckle belt, a YSL mensy jacket and chunky Proenza Schouler sandals. Laura's Nancy Gonzalez crocodile work tote is big enough to tuck in a colorful pink shawl recently brought back from Africa by her mother, as well as her cocktail accessories for later in the evening.*8. Evening Cocktails: For early evening cocktails and dinner, Laura loses the belt, jacket and tote and adds an acid-colored satin Proenza Schouler bag, lace black Givenchy heels, a citron gauzy Bajra shawl and a chrysoprase Irene Neuwirth fringe necklace.
*9. Jennie and Laura detail the outfits in Laura's planner and pack her vintage Goyard suitcase for the trip!Are you all dying for that Proenza bag and feather dress? I AM! And aren't these two ladies just gorgeous? A huge huge thanks to Laura and Jennie for taking the time to document this little styling session for us. So sweet of you both! And, yes, my dears, stay tuned for details on winning your own wardrobe styling session too!
