The most expensive wardrobes in the world cost the same as a house

Dozens of colorful sunglasses, a green wig, and a black Yosei Yamamoto coat decorated with flower petals and lips. It all belongs to Elton John and is being offered at Christie's online auction “The Collection of Sir Elton John: Out of the Closet” from February 9-28, which highlights bold pieces from the iconic English singer, songwriter and pianist's wardrobe. . A photo of Terry O'Neill dating back to 1975 shows the star in the closet of his Beverly Hills home among hundreds of pairs of shoes – and his wardrobe has become legendary ever since.

Today, walk-in closets are commonplace for celebrities: Cardi B has a ladder for easy access to 22 Hermes Birkins, Gisele Büdchen has a crystal chandelier and marble tables, and Mariah Carey's box in the penthouse. At the same time, a new need for large wardrobes with silk upholstery, elegant chandeliers and plenty of space emerged in millionaire circles. Some are spending up to $120,000 to purchase a closet that will not only showcase a carefully curated wardrobe, but will also double as an entertaining space with seating and a champagne bar, the Wall Street Journal reports. “These days, customers are obsessed with their closets,” notes an executive at Container Store, a company that specializes in custom closets.

Photo: www.containerstore.com

The average modern wardrobe budget has risen to 200-300 thousand dollars, according to Claudio Faria, managing director of the Brazilian company Ornare, which is famous for its high-end wardrobes. An elevator, a tanning booth, a meditation area, a two-story dressing room – the client's requirements are limitless. Once their dream wardrobe is complete, they throw a party.

The cabinets have features like fingerprint opening jewelry compartments, rotating shoe racks, and built-in watch winders. Designers create bespoke displays of their clients' rare or exotic accessories – like a pair of Chanel skates! Chandeliers, artwork, leopard print rugs, leather or horn knobs – the decor doesn't have to match the rest of the house because the dressing room is not a shared space.

Leather finishes and mahogany cabinets are especially popular in walk-in closets designed for men. New York architect Thomas Juul Hansen revealed to the Wall Street Journal that he designed closets around large collections of shoes and T-shirts, such as the collection of hip-hop promoter Damon Dash, who owns 200 pairs of sneakers, 1,000 T-shirts and hundreds of hats. . The craze for huge closets has also affected the real estate market. Experts agree that a good wardrobe is an investment because it increases the value of a home. “Buyers are willing to pay more for homes with well-organized, aesthetically pleasing closets,” Sotheby's notes.

Jennifer Lopez in front of her huge wardrobe. Photo: @jlo/Instagram

Kylie Jenner in the closet with her favorite bags Photo: @kyliejenner/Instagram

American rapper and actress Cardi B shares a photo with her followers of her amazing collection of Hermès Birkin bags. Photo: @iamcardib/Instagram

Kim Kardashian's wardrobe with accessories. Photo: @kimkardashian/Instagram

In a Forbes article about the importance of a walk-in closet in buying and selling a home, an executive from US real estate company Coldwell Banker stated: “A walk-in closet that is well-cared for can make a buyer fall in love with a home they already love, and conversely… Therefore, a small and disorganized closet can reinforce a negative impression for the buyer. The real estate agency advises those who have registered their home to get rid of worn-out shoes, cheap clothes and junk, and sort their clothes by color. The closet should be 60% full or less to make it appear larger, while Scented candles and some empty boxes from luxury brands will make a good impression on potential buyers.
All of these tricks, of course, would make Elton John laugh out loud: His Atlanta apartment, which sold last year for $7.2 million, had room for 200 pairs of shoes.
Exterior Photography: Getty Images / The Perfect Picture