Wardrobe.NYC Is Making It Permanent

Wardrobe.NYC was disruptive when its Australian founders, stylist Christine Centenera and designer Josh Goot, launched it in late 2017. Sold direct-to-consumer in four- and eight-piece packs, their essentials capsules were conceived to simplify the act of designing, and streamline the process of getting dressed—a win-win. Three years on, Centenera and Goot have released five capsules: two devoted to their excellent tailoring, and three more to sport, street, and denim, the last in collaboration with Levi’s.

When broken supply chains made stocking and shipping their prepacks impossible this year, they pandemic-proofed the business, selling individual items on their e-commerce site. Today, they launched a permanent collection featuring their bestsellers in new colors and patterns, and a refreshed website on which to sell them. “When we started it was about these staples—very black and white,” Centenera said from Sydney, her home base as she waits out the COVID-19 crisis (Goot remains in New York City). “People still want that, but they also want a sense of optimism, and I think color brings that, and that’s important for now.”

If they’re thinking strategically, they’re not playing it safe. The permanent collection pieces can all be bought individually, but they’re also selling them as a series of 24 complete looks, styled, naturally, by Centenera. “I’m often in situations where I’m working with older actresses or people who aren’t sample sizes,” she said. “If I’m trying to be experimental and something doesn’t work, I always have these key pieces where I know if I put them on, they are going to make them feel great.” 

That’s what Centenera counts on her own Wardrobe.NYC pieces for. “We’ve got two types of customers,” she added. “One are the people who want pieces that work well together—it’s a uniform, it’s well made, it will last. The other is like me. I’m a consumer of fashion, but I don’t necessarily want to wear it head-to-toe. I want a series of staples that are non-branded and seasonless that I can buy into and wear back with fashion. And I know they’re going to look great, they’re going to suit me.” 

The best part of the permanent collection: There’s built-in savings when you buy a complete look, or “a bundle,” as Goot puts it. “Essential pieces, beautifully designed, very well made—all of these things which we’ve believed in from outset feel even more relevant now,” he said. He and Centenera still believe in their four- and eight-piece wardrobes, and there are plans to introduce two more in 2021, in themes we’ll all be ready for: beach and travel.

After launching on the brand’s e-commerce site, items will be available at MatchesFashion.com, Browns, MyTheresa, and elsewhere.