Inside Chloe King's Eclectic Fashion World
Chloe King, a leading figure in women's fashion, defies the common belief that New Yorkers exclusively favor monochrome attire. Instead, her personal aesthetic is a vibrant tapestry of colors, patterns, and intricate details, showcasing a bold embrace of maximalism. This piece offers an exclusive glimpse into King's Brooklyn closet, exploring her innovative storage solutions, her philosophy on acquiring garments, and the meticulous process behind crafting her distinctly imaginative outfits.
King, known for her influential roles at Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue, actively champions nascent American design talents such as Henry Zankov and Christopher John Rogers. Her wardrobe, a testament to her eclectic taste, also features revered brands like Prada. Her approach to fashion is far from simplistic; it's a celebration of expressive personal style, where every item, from a color-drenched print to a delicately embroidered piece, contributes to a cohesive yet wonderfully whimsical ensemble.
Addressing the perennial challenge of space in a New York City apartment, King creatively expanded her storage by installing additional wardrobes to accommodate her extensive collection. Her closets are systematically arranged by garment type—shirts, tops, jackets, outerwear, and longer dresses each have their designated areas. Seasonal footwear is rotated between accessible shelves and baskets, ensuring that current options are always at hand. This meticulous organization is crucial for her to freely combine diverse elements and maintain her unique, experimental dressing style.
King’s shopping habits are a blend of intentional pursuit and serendipitous discovery. She maintains a mental inventory of coveted items, such as a ribboned Simone Rocha dress or ruby satin Herbert Levine mules, which she actively seeks out. Concurrently, she finds inspiration and novelty by browsing vintage websites and exploring local boutiques during her travels. Her discerning eye leads her to specific searches, from vintage Prada shoes known for their comfort to niche items like retro French cycling jerseys or 1960s house dresses, valuing the unexpected finds that enrich her collection.
Among her cherished possessions are a intricately beaded Dries Van Noten dress from a 2017 collection, valued for its versatility from cocktail events to casual wear, and unique pieces from independent designers like Diotima and Theophilio. She emphasizes the importance of supporting emerging talent to foster innovation within the fashion industry. Beyond new acquisitions, King holds sentimental items inherited from her family, like a paternal grandmother's scarf, a grandfather's worn sweatshirt, and a maternal grandmother's elegant ring. These pieces, imbued with personal history, transcend mere fashion and represent profound connections to past lives and memories.
Her daily routine for selecting an outfit begins with staring at her wardrobe until an inspiring piece emerges. Eschewing uniform dressing, King often gravitates towards items that haven't been worn recently. She typically starts with a striking element, such as dramatic organza Proenza Schouler boots, and then builds around it with familiar, reliable pieces like a Prada sequin cap or a worn camouflage shirt jacket. This method allows her to infuse novelty into her look while remaining true to her individual style. Stripped patterns, particularly from brands like Kule, Comme des Garçons, Marni, and Zankov, are a constant in her wardrobe, often serving as versatile neutrals. King regularly declutters her closet, adhering to a 'one-in, one-out' rule and reviewing items not worn in a year. Unwanted pieces are first offered to family and friends before being donated, ensuring her collection remains curated and reflective of her evolving taste.
