Tips for an open concept wardrobe from Shalma Aina

Having an open wardrobe or walk-in wardrobe is great but it could also end up being an eyesore, especially when things start to flow out of their compartments and you do not have doors to keep the ugliness out of sight.

But having an open closet is all the rage now and it is certainly more exciting than a normal closed wardrobe. Having a walk-in wardrobe could also be a good way to showcase your fashion style and collection of accessories.

The problem is, how do you keep it looking stylish and neat? TV host and fashion entrepreneur Shalma Ainaa offered some help.

The co-founder of clothing brand Shals had shared, in a Facebook Live stream on TheEdgeProperty.com FB page during the Malaysia Virtual Property Expo 2017 in July, some simple ways to manage an open wardrobe using the Shals boutique at UOA Business Park, Saujana (Glenmarie, Shah Alam).

Established in 2011, Shals is co-founded by Shalma and her sister Shamanisa, offering ready-to-wear clothes, accessories and handbags.

“When you have an open closet, it creates a narrative with a blend of transparency as it is able to showcase your fashion taste to everyone,” Shalma opined.

The aesthetic of Shals is more to minimalist design but is also suitable for various functions — for instance, a simple kaftan could be a comfortable casual outerwear during the day and become an elegant evening wear if matched with high heels.

“The Shals brand reflects the sense of relaxed and timeless elegance of reinvented classics. We grasp the inspiration from traditional techniques and silhouettes and combine them with a modern and minimalist asthetic,” she said.

In line with the minimalist concept behind Shals, Shalma and her sister decided to go for an open closet look in their first and currently only boutique.

Shals’ designs, which emphasise simplicity and versatility, are reflected in the layout and arrangement of the boutique.

The clothes are arranged neatly following sizes and colours in each rack. Every rack has only a few pieces of clothes, making the overall boutique look simple yet elegant.

To have an open wardrobe, one must be vigilant to be neat and tidy. All your stuff must be organised well, as you do not want all that mess to be on show.

“Hence, the rule of thumb for the open closet concept is ‘less is more’. Each piece of clothing or accessory is like a collection. You do not have to showcase everything you have.

“An open closet also needs to be consistent with the interior design of the rest of the room and if it is a boutique, it should represent the look and feel of the overall shop environment and customer experience.

“It has to be interactive and organised. At the end of the day, customers want something more relatable than your concept lookbook. So you have to prioritise a lot of factors ranging from new and old seasons, sizes and colours,” she noted.

This story first appeared in EdgeProp.my pullout on Oct 27, 2017. Download EdgeProp.my pullout here for free.