Fashion stored as works of art
Garments begin their afterlife at Garde Robe by Uovo in Brooklyn with an inspection by one of eight wardrobe managers, who catalog the pieces and examine them for damage, stains or pests. When items look less than pristine, dry-cleaning is sometimes recommended before storage.
“I love order,” said Quinn Bradley, 38, the director of operations at the Brooklyn warehouse. Bradley, who had worked at Garde Robe for about eight years when it was acquired by Uovo, has a master’s degree in fashion and textile studies from the Fashion Institute of Technology. She said that she developed her love of collections management while working in public affairs at the National Museum of the American Indian in New York.
All Uovo warehouses used for fashion storage are climate-controlled, Bradley said, specifically at 70 degrees and 50% humidity, which she noted are industry standards.
“What is important is to avoid large swings of temperature or humidity,” Lowery added. An industrial-sized chiller regulates both at the Brooklyn warehouse.
Once pieces are cataloged and deemed ready for storage, they are photographed in one of the warehouse’s three studios. Two of the studios have cameras that capture 360-degree images; according to
Lowery, those cameras cost $50,000 to $60,000 each.
After being photographed, garments that need to be hung are put in bags made of polypropylene (a breathable plastic). Other pieces are folded, wrapped in acid-free tissue paper and placed in lightblue boxes made of acidfree, corrugated cardboard. Shoes are stored in clear plastic bins. All of those bags, boxes and bins are kept on rails and shelves that occupy about 20,000 square feet of the facility’s 150,000 square feet.
“They keep our clothes as if they were works of art,” said Emilie Rubinfeld, the president of Carolina Herrera, which began using Garde Robe in 2012. Previously, its garments were kept in-house.
When storing fashion, Garde Robe by Uovo charges by the rack. One rack — which holds up to 50 garments, 10 pairs of shoes and 10 bags or other accessories — costs about $400 per month. Pricing, especially for fashion brands, can vary based on volume and the length of storage time.