Garmental.com ~ Chicago’s Fashion Resource Launches ~ The Closet

How many times have you looked at your closet and thought,”I have nothing to wear”? I know I have many times. Sometimes it can be so difficult to find something to wear for a day at the office, that big meeting, a first date, or just meeting up with friends. I’ve often wished I had a stylist to show me some fabulous clothes I could wear.

In May of this year www.garmental.com launched a unique website that came to every woman’s rescue; a FREE online personal shopper that would take the worry out of finding that perfect look.

The editors of this site search Chicago boutiques like Fix Boutique, Tribeca, and She One, to name a few, and pick out their favorite outfit each day and bring it right to your fingertips. Their goals are to bring inspiration to you, to help take the stress out of searching for something to wear, and help support the fabulous boutiques and designers that we have here in Chicago. The editors keep in mind prices, the day of the week, and the weather in their daily search.

New feature coming September 1st!

On September 1st www.garmental.com will launch a unique Chicago search option to the site called “The Closet”. This portion of the site to lets us fashionistas search for a style by neighborhood, boutique, and a price point.  From the filtered search results, we can view the clothing options as thumbnails, as well as printable lists.  Garmental’s visitors will be also be able to find boutique contact information directly on the site!

I had the opportunity to interview one of the founders, Suzanne Kopulos!

What was your vision for Garmental.com?

There are two key reasons why Garmental was created: to be the go-to authority on how to shop local boutiques and to give style inspiration on a daily basis with one complete look a day and Garmental is the only fashion resource that offers this unique format.

How do you predict what looks and styles your users will like?

The great thing about Garmental is that we have more than one point of view. We focus on the style aesthetic of the boutique that we feature and showcase a complete look that exemplifies their approach to fashion. This way, readers will not only get style inspiration, they will make notes on boutiques that resonate with their personal style and become part of their shopping roadmap.

What do you think will be the biggest trend of Fall/Winter 2010?

Utilitarian apparel & boots and loads of leather! Everyone will be investing again in leather jackets, and riding boots. Leather leggings are here, so we’ll see how much people overload on leather. I’m game.

Is there one fashion item you can’t live without?

Statement or vintage jewelry pieces are a must for me. Whether you have an endless budget for high-end designer garments or have tight purse-strings, accessorizing a basic dress or top and jeans with statement jewelry instantly transforms your look or can make a look all on its own.

Why should you shop at boutiques?

More than just to support local business owners, boutiques are unique because when you find one that matches your personal style, you will shop exclusively with them because you will love everything in the store. Boutiques typically offer brands that other stores won’t have or they will have exclusives on great items, so you won’t be a replica of every person walking down the street.

Are their any fashion no no’s?

One of the biggest fashion Do’s is to always dress age appropriate! There will always be fashion trends that look cute and fun, but that doesn’t mean they are made for you. I think it is always important to be mindful of that rule.

Who is (or was) your biggest fashion inspiration?

Diane von Furstenberg, Michael Kors and Tom Ford, for all very different reasons. First off, I am a massive fan of the DVF brand. Mostly because I believe Diane designs for every woman and produces pieces with longevity and should be a staple in every closet. I adore Michael Kors, not only because he is a witty and smart designer, but because he inspired me most by his dramatic use of color while Creative Director for Celine. He really knows how to make women feel beautiful. Lastly, Tom Ford because he is the definition of debonair.  In all instances he exudes sex appeal through his personal style and I feel most men should aspire to reach the same level of personal confidence. Well that or just being Johnny Depp wouldn’t hurt.

When getting ready for the day or for a big event do you have any rituals you follow?

I wish I had something funny like Jersey Shore’s “GTL”. So, I guess my regular everyday is Gym, Coffee, Computer, Shopping. On a big event day, it is almost always day before, eyebrow wax and hair, day of-mani/pedi and try not to wear any make-up until the hour before the event so that I always look fresh.

When you sign up and subscribe to Garmental here are the special perks you can receive;

• Wardrobe Wishlist: Premier savings on items from boutiques around town.
• Primped & Polished: Deals on products that pair perfectly with our Look of the Day.
• Garmental Gifts: A chance to win amazing designer swag.
• City Soiree: Exclusive invites to the city’s most sought after events.

I think this website is an amazing concept. It’s a great tool to help all women find great looks. I will definitely use this site to help me with my shopping. I can’t wait to see the fall trends. I already check the site daily!

A special thanks to SkirtPR.com, Garmental.com and Suzanne Kopulos for the great interview.

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