Charlotte’s Closet has a new home in Port Washington at 14 Vanderventer Ave. To celebrate, Charlotte’s Closet is holding a fashion event on Feb. 27 with celebrity stylist Samantha Brown.
“I’m also offering readers a special discount of 25 percent off their purchase,” said owner and Port resident Jen Forman. “Customers need to place their order during the month of January, but dresses can be reserved up to five months prior to an event. Use promo code: ANTON.”
The web-based company allows teens and tweens to borrow designer dresses for every special occasion including winter formals, school dances, sweet 16s, bat mitzvahs, junior and senior prom, graduation and everything in between for up to 75 percent off retail prices.
“On-trend choices from established and up-and-coming designers are added regularly and purchased directly from designers,” said Forman. “Designers include French Connection, BCBGeneration, Betsy & Adam, Blush, Tiffany, Jolene, J.O.A., plus many more.”
Charlotte’s Closet currently carries party dresses and rompers from 18 on-trend designers. “We started with 10 designers and now have 18,” said Forman. “I think it’s important that all our dresses are purchased directly from the designers.” Charlotte’s Closet recently dressed Miss Wheelchair New York.
The website was launched early in 2015 and the office, showroom and warehouse were moved to Port Washington in September.
Charlotte’s Closet offers an alternative to the consumer culture where teens grow up with an overstuffed closet of dresses they only wear once. “Renting a dress isn’t wasteful,” said Forman. “It’s sharing and more green than owning.”
Forman grew up in Port Washington, attended Schreiber and graduated in 1989. She has lived in Port for 12 years with her husband, Eric, and two children, both of whom attend Weber.
“It’s so great to bring my business back to my hometown just down the street from where my kids go to school,” said Forman. “I love being able to dress all the Port girls.”
Forman continued, “My childhood friend, Trina Coccarelli, who also still resides in Port Washington as well, recently joined the company as CMO. Our office and showroom were organized by Port resident Jane Abrahams of Jane’s Addiction, a company that helps people organize their space.”
How Charlotte’s Closet works: browse their website to find styles you like, select your event date and enter sizes (one size is free to ensure the perfect fit), receive the dress by mail, wear it and return it with the pre-paid UPS label. A small insurance fee covers normal wear (stains, loose beading). Many designer dresses can be borrowed for about $50 (but retail for $200 and way up).
If you want to try on the dresses before an event, that’s no problem. “Clients can book a private fitting at our Port Washington showroom and reserve their dress up to five months in advance,” said Forman. “We also just launched a home try-on service, where for a small fee designer dresses get delivered right to your doorstep to try on before the big day. Think of it as the Charlotte’s Closet showroom comes to you.”
New pieces arrive weekly. You can also host a private fitting party with your friends at the showroom.
Email to book a private fitting or a fitting party at reservations@charlottes-closet.com. For more information call 516-570-0200 or go to facebook.com/ShopCharlottesCloset or www.charlottes-closet.com.
