Nena Ivon: Retail Icon

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If someone were to play her in a movie, she would be Meryl Streep. She teaches at Columbia. She’s a big supporter of Chicago theater. Red wine is her drink. And she is Saks Fifth Avenue’s most storied employee. 53 years of folding sweaters, trips to Paris and staging fashion shows.

We ask her a few questions over drinks and eel terrine at Boka:

If she wasn’t a retail legend: “I would have been an Egyptologist.”

On a good wardrobe stylist: “It’s like being a decorator. If I would have a decorator doing my home I would want them to say, ok, your apartment is you, how can we make this more you? I want it to be mine.”

On her apartment: “My apartment looks like a gypsy caravan – king of the gypsies as you understand – very layered, very eclectic, layer upon layer upon layer – literally. It doesn't interest me if no one else likes it.”

On customer service: “It’s clicking – that’s the hard part – getting the trust level.”

On retirement: “I walk by the store and think shouldn’t I be upset? Shouldn’t I have some kind of pain? But not in the least. It was time to leave.”

On style: “Style is of the moment. Something at a certain time, in a certain place, with a certain person and how they handle that. Confidence, elegance, and assuredness is what makes a person memorable. Style is fleeting. Fashion is very definitely fleeting.”

A Nenaism: “When one loses one’s femininity, one loses everything.”

On all of the attention following her exit: “I didn’t ask for any of this. And if I had, I wouldn’t have gotten any of it.”

You would be a great guest judge on Project Runway.

“I want a pop-up book.”

The Cream of Your Closet

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Seven Ensembles that Speak the Haute At THC we like to give it to you straight. And the only way to do that is by giving you basic info you can run with or getting us into your closet so we can detail exactly what's what when it comes to your wardrobe.

That said, here's the cream on the looks you've got to have:

An Event LBD or Killer Tux: Because you absolutely must have this ammunition in your arsenal.

A Knock 'em Out Interview Outfit: Because your resume is only as good as your attitude.

The Office to Cocktails Ensemble: Because work to fun means layering and a subsequent stripping down.

Your Casual Weekend Look: Because looking great and being comfortable is more than possible. We promise.

The Dress Up Date: Because regardless of age, you need to be able to amp up the sex appeal, male or female.

Your Sport Wardrobe: Because well-being necessitates working out, getting fit is better with good gear.

A Sleep Suite: Because there's nothing more haute than nighttime clothes and underthings that turn you on.

And there you have it. So, now what? Go play in your closet!

If you need help pulling these essentials together from what you've got, let us know and we'll answer your questions and/or get you a Haute Closet.

NOTE WELL: The most important part of this equation is the ingredients. Like cooking, if you want the best meal, you've got to use the best ingredients. Every piece - from your LBD to your underthings - should be 1. Unique 2. Elegant and 3. Economical. In translation, that adds up to every piece - from your trench coat to your date skirt - being something you absolutely love, something that looks extraordinary on you and the very best you can afford. All ofthat will add up to a Haute Closet, a perfectly wearable wardrobe.

Illustration via Laura Laine