Ultra-premium wardrobe storage & valet service

New Yorkers whose closets are bursting at the seams have a high-tech solution for storing their off-season or special occasion duds—without having to worry their garments will be out of sight, much less out of mind. Garde Robe is a first-class, full-service wardrobe storage facility that not only provides a place to stow pieces that currently are out of rotation, but digitally photographs each item to be organized in an online Cyber Closet. Customers can browse a catalogue of their belongings at their leisure from anywhere they access the web and arrange for delivery as needed. Items are stored in an air-conditioned converted loft space, specially designed for proper storage and maintenance of clothing, shoes and accessories. Pieces are available for delivery 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, though advanced notice is required during off hours. Wardrobe storage fees begin at USD 350 per month for clothing, and USD 225 for shoes only. Garde Robe also offers special services, including a first-class seamstress for fittings and alterations, a professional image consultant who can help customers define their style, and a hairdresser and make-up artist to help polish off any look. There’s also a packing service, French hand laundering, and shirts and linens can be hand-pressed upon request. And customers who are doing fine with space, but lacking in organization skills, can opt to have Garde Robe create Cyber Closets for them for USD 150 per hour. Garde Robe markets their services to business travellers, too, who might want to avoid the hustle and bustle of baggage claim during frequent trips to the Big Apple. Obviously, this makes for a great solution for those living tight spaces—as many city dwellers do. While Garde Robe is hardly the first to tackle this niche (see City Closet, for example), it’s definitely upping the ante by offering a super-premium version of mini-storage. One to replicate to any major metro where customers’ eyes for fashion are bigger than their closets! Update: Garde Robe will be expanding to Tokyo in 2008. Spotted by: Susanna Haynie