Julie Watson at p.45: Cleanin' Out Your Closet

Julie Watson

Julie Watson (center)

No woman likes to clean her closet. She hoards every piece she bought from that Barney's warehouse sale eight years ago, with that desperate hope that she’ll fit into those skinny jeans ten pounds later, or that the shredded belly-tee will come back with time.

Thank goodness for Julie Watson, who teamed up with venerated boutique p.45 last week for their August event called “Closet Cleanout: Tips and Tricks From an Expert.” Watson’s personal shopping and image consulting company, Julie Watson Style, is grounded on one huge leap of faith: editing the closet.

“There’s a lot of soul-searching when it comes to cleaning out your closet, so we’re going to hold hands and get there together,” she assured the crowd. “There’s going to be a little tough love going on.”

The night was originally set up to be a roundtable discussion, but thanks to Watson’s popularity and p.45’s loyal customer base, the boutique received over 80 RSVPs. Women stood rapt with attention in the newly remodeled store as Watson discussed practical ways to create a clean, mature palette for the new season, and how to “shop” from one’s closet as if they would shop at their favorite boutique.
The mood was casual and inviting: p.45’s founder Tricia Tunstall, junior partner Judy Yin Keller and Watson chatted with new faces and regular clients, giving style tips and showing off new merchandise. Women drank rosé and nibbled on cheese while shopping the collection, all of which was 20 percent off.

“I say it from the bottom of my heart that p.45 is probably one of my favorites, if not my favorite boutique in Chicago,” said Watson, ”not only because of the collections that they offer, but because of the way that their philosophy is exactly the same as mine.”

That philosophy is that fashion is for everybody, that regardless of size of style, age or preference. P.45’s carefully selected and eclectic collection reflects this promotion of individualism, through everything from Inhabit knits to Ulla jackets; Rebecca Taylor dresses to Elijah tops.

“Each piece is a canvas,” said Junior Partner Judy Yin Keller. “We always want customers to pick a piece and make it their own.”

The store prides itself in 11 years of close and devoted partnerships with fresh designers who have matured with the store. They carried Phillip Lim when he was working for Development. They picked up Rebecca Taylor and Michelle Mason before they became household names. It’s no wonder that p.45 is considered the pioneering boutique in Chicago.
“Chicago has grown up tons,” said Tunstall. “When we started 11 years ago, there were not a lot of boutiques anywhere in the city. Now there are amazing boutiques in every neighborhood.”

P.45 plans to hold a roundtable event on style every month this year. “I think people want to get out, and they want to do something different,” said Tunstall. “We want to offer something educational to our customers.” September will be a discussion on branching into a new wardrobe for fall.
-Grace Bahk