Passion for fashion inspires makeover

A fashionista’s ultimate fantasy is having a boutique right in her home, filled with the latest apparel, shoes and accessories. That dream can come true with the newest trend in closets — the boutique.

The boutique closet is a themed wardrobe space designed to replicate the look and feel of a clothing store. The concept was crafted by Mary Vail of Las Vegas, who has more than 30 years of experience in the fashion industry.

A former visual merchandiser and fashion coordinator for a high-end boutique in Texas, Vail’s displays caught the eye of more than casual shoppers. Photographers, students and clientele traveled from neighboring cities to see her latest concepts.

“Whether you’re male or female, if you’re into fashion a standard closet design becomes your worst enemy,” said Vail. “One of the exciting elements of shopping is seeing the clothes on display, the ensembles draped, layered and accessorized on mannequins, display fixtures or exhibited on racks and shelves by colors, styles and garment types.”

The boutique-themed closet delivers that excitement to an ordinary closet.

After meeting with several closet specialists from a variety of companies, Vail selected Classy Closets to collaborate on the project.

Classy Closets specialist Bobbi Phillips had never before been tasked with designing fixtures for a fashion boutique. But with numerous closet projects behind her and a passion for fashion, she was up to the challenge.

“I have turned a full room into a closet before, but it was definitely not this much fun. The other closet was strictly for function and storage,” said Phillips. “The boutique is so different because it actually has a theme and style.”

Phillips was surprised with Vail’s adamant request for two specific items — a full-length mirror and multiple valet rods.

“I have never had a home-owner ask for a mirror in a closet. Wall space is valuable storage area, therefore most people use a mirror in another section of the house,” she said.

Phillips explained that one of the hardest amenities to sell in a closet conversion is the valet rod, but Vail ordered six of them.

“There are definitely more uses for the valet rod than most people realize,” Vail said.

Sturdy, retractable rods that fit snugly on panels, traditionally used for hanging dry cleaning, become display fixtures for hats, scarves and other accessories in the boutique. In addition, the rods become staging areas to assemble one’s wardrobe for the next day or a special evening.

Shirts, blouses and jackets can be hung on the top rod with pants, shorts, or skirts on the bottom rod, allowing the dresser to see the ensemble before putting it on. For the finishing touch, place the shoes and purse beneath the ensemble just as it would be displayed in a store window and you have everything ready at hand.

“With the latest trends borrowing fashions from seasons past, some of those long-forgotten jeans, skirts and tops take on a new life with accessories from the currents pages of fashion,” said Ashley Vail, Mary’s daughter. “Using the valet rods gives you the ability to see what works and what doesn’t, without trying on 20 different pieces of clothing.”

To complete the boutique look, Vail added a few do-it-yourself touches to the interior designing. She replaced the ceiling fan in the room with a crystal chandelier and fashioned fringed beading to hat boxes and a step stool. She also converted a bustier purse into a flower pot, transformed a foot stool into a table with the addition of a glass top, added long strands of spotlights on the top shelves, made a canopy from curtains and covered the convertible loveseat sofa-bed with a solid-colored slip cover to give the room a true showcase feel.

In the end, Vail’s creation allows the clothes to become the artwork of the room. Long necklaces, belts and scarves hang from belt racks, while purses and hats are displayed on open shelves. Shoes are arranged by color and alternate from front to back to gain additional space.

From a rarely used spare room to a useful section of the home, the boutique closet has turned everyday primping for mother and daughter into a dressing adventure rather than a daily chore.