When did you learn the solution to maintaining a proper closet? 

Haven’t yet. However, my goal when working with each individual client is to find what solutions will work best for them and their wardrobes/personal style.

 What’s the smartest piece you own? 

Jèrôme Dreyfuss red ‘Billy’ bag. It’s oh-so big and bright.

What’s the piece that no one should live without?

Excellent sunglasses.

What do you find are the most typically purged items?

Dresses.

When do you find yourself talking a closet purger out of relinquishing an item?

That happens a lot, actually. Often times if something hangs in our closet’s long enough we can become blind to it’s amazingness. If this is the case for a client, it is my duty to step in, make sure they hold on to it and offer them guidance on an updated way to wear it.

What’s one item everybody needs to discard?

Anything too tight – just let it go.

Which designer has the best collection for supplementing a wardrobe with basics?

Raquel Allegra and Zara

What are your top 5 accessories that will reinvent a wardrobe?

New hair color and/or eyebrow color, vintage piece from a loved one, obnoxious watch, a bright handbag, and a smile.

Raquel Allegra (in black) on the set of Lady Gaga's Judas video

T-shirts may never go out of style, but as with any fashion item they have gone through their fair share of trends. Click to see view their progression from underwear to couture.

T-shirt’s were first worn by American soldiers in World War I as undershirts because they were cool and comfortable. Everyone has some basic Hanes in their closet, even Marlon Brando. In the 1951 film A Streetcar Named Desire Brando’s controversial fitted t-shirt had to be sewn in the back as one could not yet buy fitted t-shirts. James Dean was also a pioneer of this underwear as outerwear look; with such sexy iconic men wearing them no wonder the t-shirt is such a long lasting piece of trendy clothing.

In the late 50′s screen printing began on shirts in Miami, Florida. Used to publicize resorts and fictional characters, Mickey Mouse was one of the first screen printed t-shirts to become popular! Still popular today, Mickey Mouse has quite the history in fashion! (Who knew!)

The 60′s t-shirts worn by hippies can be defined by one awful word: tie-die. Thankfully, we have replaced this phenomenon with the much nicer looking and involving less clashing color color fading known as ombre. Ringer shirts also became popular with wanna-be rock stars in the late 60′s.

The 80′s brought the invention of thermochromism dyes into the t-shirt world, which cause the fabric to change color in the heat. American Apparel has attempted to bring back these t-shirts which are sure to be a nightmare if you forget to put on your deodorant. The 80′s also mark the time when t-shirts began to be used for personal expression, such as anti-war statements.

A lot of advertising for designers in the 90′s was done for free by consumers courtesy of t-shirts. Designer logo t-shirts were a huge trend that rivaled Britney Spears’ ever-present crop top. Apparently, the crop top is coming back. Wear with high wasted skirts to cover your belly button, please and thank you.

The new millennium’s celebrity infatuation ushered in the trend of humorous/ironic t-shirts. The Team Aniston/Jolie trend has been replicated with many other celebrities since then. Websites now make personalized screen-printing widely available, so you can make your own “feed the models” t-shirts: we all know they need some more meat on those bones. American Apparel t-shirts (left) are the most popular for screen-printing because of their availability and softness.

Recently, t-shirts have become more expensive then ever. Know as “it t-shirts”, this fad includes the Olsen Twins line The Row where t-shirts are made with couture details and cost around $250. Raquel Allegra’s t-shirts, which retail for $490, are hand shredded and have been a big hit with the DIY culture. 

One things for sure, t-shirts will always be around. What do you think will be the next t-shirt trend?

Thanks Elle!

Keeping a hint of elegance in her modern interpretation of vintage dresses, Raquel Allegra is a designer ready to take on flirty yet sophisticated fashions. Creating dresses, t shirts, gowns and more, the designer explores more basic designs as well as more elaborate creations. Raquel is able to use color to her advantage; painting her collection with  simplistic whites and bold navys the designs are spotlight-ready for just about any occasion. with Raquel’s original twist on design, confidence and edge aren’t even a question.

GALLERY: Raquel Allegra designs

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I am absolutely loving this designer. Raquel Allegra is an LA based fashion designer who takes old shirts from the LA County Jail and transforms them into amazingly wearable pieces of couture. Her dedication to being eco-friendly is changing the ideals of luxury and making the fashion world take note that “recycled” and “chic” aren’t two independent thoughts. Her aesthetic is reminiscent of Rodarte with the rocker edge of Imitation of Christ. I expect to be seeing a lot more from the designer in the next few months.

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