But another obstacle presents itself this year. Today, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (more commonly referred to as “PETA”) released a new video on “animal suffering in the leather industry and the risks to human health and the environment from tanneries,” New York Times “On the Runway” blogger Cathy Horyn writes. Like most of its [celebrity-supported PSAs , the video is narrated by designer Stella McCartney. McCartney first spoke out against animal cruelty in a PETA video during the 1990s. Today, she has emerged as a high-fashion label that does not support the use of leather. McCartney also has her own collection with athletic brand Adidas and a limited edition perfume line.

PETA has been known to push the boundaries of its campaigns against animal cruelty. From its “I’d rather go naked than wear fur” ads featuring celebrities such as Khloé Kardashian and Elisabetta Canalis to heart-warming and heart-breaking videos, PETA’s mission has always been heard. Remember the Sex and the City movie?

Horyn reports that this year, PETA will play a shortened version of McCartney’s latest message in taxi cabs during Fashion Week (a less invasive tactic compared to that mentioned above.) But don’t let this seemingly peaceful strategy fool you; it’ll be the source of some great tension under the white tents of Fashion Week.

—Gerilyn Manago

Permalink: http://zippedmag.wordpress.com/2012/02/21/controversy-for-a-cause/

“I’m superstitious, so if something means good luck and it’s given to me, I won’t just throw it in the garbage,” Richards tells ESPN Magazine.

But the horseshoe isn’t the only prized possession in Richards’ closet. He also opens up about the three watches stolen from his Dallas home. Now, he’s “starting over” with another three watches that match his suits.

We aren’t sure what kind of watches Richards fancies, but if he goes for names such as Cartier, Breitling or Rolex, we recommend a watch winder. These machines, made for automatic watches, keep your most precious timepieces wound when they’re not on your wrist. If you don’t have a watch winder for your automatic watch, you’ll spend more time waking up your watch rather than yourself in the morning.

The “Rivalry Issue,” in which Richards opens his closet doors to readers, hits newsstands today.

—Gerilyn Manago

Permalink: http://blog.laclosetdesign.com/post/17960902010/wrist-shot-fundamentals

ModCloth has made a humble arrival in the online-retail industry and hasn’t been overlooked. Team Koger was featured on Inc. Magazine’s30 Under 30: America’s Coolest Young Entrepreneurs list in 2009, and the company was ranked No. 2 on the magazine’s Inc. 500 list the following year.

Naturally, Susan has an eclectic collection of clothing. In a “show and tell” for the retailer’s blog, she shares her favorite pair of Jeffrey Campbell shoes. Although the shoes are hidden in the shadows of her closet, we like that each shelf pulls out to reveal two rows. It lacks optimal light but saves a lot of space.

Susan’s jewelry display on top of her chest of drawers is simple and sweet. There’s enough room to easily access bangles and broaches, and the hooks for hanging necklaces clears any clutter—not to mention they prevent your necklaces from getting tangled!

“There are no right answers; there are no rules,” Susan says of fashion.

“Your fashion taste and your fashion sense doesn’t necessarily just have to reflect [one] aspect of your personality.”

We couldn’t agree more. Your closet is your own space; make it comfortable and unique. From her rotating closet carousel to her trendy flair, we like how Susan transformed her modest closet.

—Gerilyn Manago

Permalink: http://blog.laclosetdesign.com/post/17725359231/a-modest-closet

It has been a while since the episode aired, but we were so amazed by the intro into Lyons’ section that we felt it deserved another look. Specifically, we are still floored that she converted a whole bedroom into her walk-in closet.

“It’s like shopping every day,” she said.

We can see why! The mastermind behind J.Crew’s seasonal looks even has a fireplace and antlers mounted on the wall of her closet. (Personal touches we adore and think are what make Lyons’ closet personal and unique.)

Keeping the rest of the room open to natural light pouring through the windows, Lyons has clothes hanging from rolling racks and glass shelves holding what are probably a couple hundred pairs of shoes. Lyons mentions s

he color-codes her shoes, too, which we especially liked.

“Find a system that works and stick to it,” LA Closet Design CEO Lisa Adams always says.

Well, we sure wish we had the space to dedicate one whole room to our clothes and accessories like Lyons does! What makes your closet unique? Share with us your thoughts!

—Gerilyn Manago

Permalink: http://blog.laclosetdesign.com/post/17113731515/step-into-the-lyons-den

For those of you who might not recognize Mary Alice Stephenson as the host of 2007 TV series America’s Most Smartest Model, she is also seen on the small screen as a fashion consultant for networks such as E! and CNN.

But the working mother also balances family life with her other duties as a contributor at Harper’s Bazaar and as the national fashion ambassador for Make-a-Wish Foundation.

Lucky for us, Time Out New York filmed an inside look at this “closet case.”

“I am an equal opportunity fashionista,” Stephenson said. “I do not care how much it costs, as long as it looks great.”

Although she has many lovely Lanvin boxes stacked on shelves in her closet, we like this approach to fashion. Among the Lanvin boxes stacked on shelves in her closet, she also has pieces from Zara, H&M, Top Shop and even Sears!

The lovely chandelier hangs above her black island with lined drawers to display her fabulous jewelry. We see various sources of light in her closet, from the windows at one end to the floor lamps and ceiling lamp at the other. Stephenson’s personal taste really comes through in the way her closet is designed—everything from textures to colors, we get a real sense of who she is and what she loves.

Check out the video and let us know what you think of Stephenson’s closet!

—Gerilyn Manago

Permalink: http://blog.laclosetdesign.com/post/16832689622/let-light-in-dont-keep-your-closet-under-wraps