When it’s fashion week in New York, it’s also fashion week at Her Majesty’s Closet, a couture consignment shop for women owned and operated by Barb Bloch.
Fashion Week kicks off Feb. 9 in both places. Her Majesty’s Closet will celebrate that night with a fashion show beginning at 6 p.m. featuring spring clothing and accessories. It will take place in the brand new space the store moved into last month, directly next door to its original shop on the south side of 83rd Street in Corinth Square near First Watch.
Bloch explained the Prairie Village shop was inspired by pop-up designer shops and boutiques popular on both coasts. Her Majesty’s Closet specializes in designer labels. More than 40 famous names can be found there including Bill Blass, Geoffrey Beene, Nina Ricci, Paulene Triggere, Yves Saint Laurent, Chanel, Prada, Minolo Blahnik, Gucci and Louboutin.
“You will only find designer labels here and it’s all real,” Bloch said. “You will find all the high-end brands and we have a lot of vintage also. We’ve got anywhere from the ‘40s to current styles. We also stock some vintage jewelry and handbags.”
Bloch said Her Majesty’s Closet is very well known for its shoes, furs, handbags and cocktail wear, all of which are “in excellent condition.” The store is also known for its large St. John knits department. The store carries a variety of sizes as well as price ranges.
“I’ve got Chanel jackets that would cost $4,000 or $5,000 new and we have them for $950. It’s not cheap, but for someone who wants Chanel and wants the look, it’s affordable because it’s a fraction of the regular price,” Bloch said.
The store gets its merchandise from estates as well as individuals.
“Often these women buy something and are on the fashion cycle so once they wear it they don’t want to wear it again,” Bloch said.
Her Majesty’s Closet is not the first store of its kind in the area. But Bloch believes what sets this store apart from others is that others don’t carry the quantity of couture available at Her Majesty’s Closet.
“A lot of consignment stores will tell you they have a particular label just to lure you in the store. Then they don’t have it or they just have one piece,” she explained. “We have lots of Oscar de la Renta, lots of Chanel, lots of Armani Black Label, lots of Geoffrey Beene …,” she continued.
Who shops at Her Majesty’s Closet? Bloch said they are people who appreciate couture as well as quality fabrics, construction and design. Customers come in all sizes and ages, from young women to senior citizens.
“Some appreciate fashion but can’t afford these pieces new,” she said. “We also have people who love vintage and who buy into the recycling.”
While she’s only owned Her Majesty’s Closet for two and a half years, Bloch said she grew up in the garment industry. Her family manufactured ladies coats and suits. Professionally she worked as a recruiter for the Carlisle Collection, a clothing line sold by personal consultants, where she learned all about wardrobe building.
Bloch has also served two terms as regional director for the Fashion Group here in Kansas City. In addition she collaborated with Sybil Kahn on a book about the history of the garment industry.
Next week’s fashion show — which got its start when the store first opened as a way to attract customers — will feature 11 models, all customers, showing almost 80 different outfits.
“Every outfit, shoes, jewelry, handbag, coat … worn on that runway is put together with pieces that have come in on consignment and are new in the store for spring,” Bloch explained.
The show is free; reservations are not required but are recommended. The evening also features music, wine and appetizers. The store will be open for shopping as well.
“It’s really a fun, fun evening,” she said. “It’s grown from the 75 people who attended the first show to more than 100 that came in the fall. I’m hoping for about 150 people this time, and it will be recorded and placed on the website,” Bloch said.
Her Majesty’s website has grown along with the actual store. Now customers can purchase clothes directly from the website.
Bloch loves the consignment couture concept and often wears clothes from the store. So do her employees.
“Almost everybody who works here was a customer before they started working here,” she said. “I think we are a very warm and friendly environment and we’re not high pressure. I think we give our customers a great shopping experience.”
Her Majesty’s Closet
The couture consignment shop is located at 4107 W. 83rd St., Prairie Village, Kan. Store hours are Monday through Friday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information call 913-341-7774 or visit www. hermajestysclosetldt.com.