We've never met a girl without several items on her fashion wish list, and we can all agree one of them is a bigger closet! When we found out Theresa Roemer was renovating her closet at her Houston-area home, we had to take a look inside. This entrepreneur, Mrs. Texas United America 2010, and fundraising gal loves to host champagne parties for charitable causes in her 3,000-square-foot closet. "There's no reason for me to have this amazing, gorgeous closet if I can’t do fundraisers in it, too, right?" says Roemer. A few weeks ago we sat down with Roemer to talk about clothes, handbags and shoes.
NM: How long does it take you to get ready every morning?
TR: It takes me about 45 minutes to get ready at any given time.
NM: What was the idea behind your closet?
TR: My closet is my dressing room, but more importantly, it's my retreat. I like to call it my "female man-cave."
NM: Walk us through this amazing space.
TR: I planned it the way I dress. With it being a three-story space, I have my furs and hats on the third floor, and my shoes, clothes and vanity on the second floor (which is also where I get my hair and makeup done, where the champagne bar is and where I ultimately think about the look I’m going for. And finally, the first floor is where I keep my jewelry and my handbags; those are the last pieces I put on to finalize any outfit.
NM: Do you have particular favorites in your closet?
TR: I have to say, my favorite designer handbags are Hermes. I have over 60 Birkins, even though I love Chanel, Fendi and Dior bags. As far as shoes, it always comes down to Christian Louboutin; I can’t get enough of them! I actually have a pair on right now.
NM: What about flat shoes?
TR: The only time you catch me in a flat is in my running shoes when I’m exercising. In the summertime, it’s always cute to put on a summer dress with a pair of flat Tory Burch shoes, but I’m a high-heels girl.
NM: What was your last purchase at NM?
TF: It was a red Tom Ford dress with zippers all around the back.
NM: Name some of your favorite brands.
TR: Definitely Hermes; it's timeless. And I love Donna Karan and Tom Ford - their clothes fit perfectly.
NM: Of all your shoes, which are your favorites?
TR: I love these Louboutin peep-toes and my Miu Miu sandals, because I love the idea of wearing 'jewels' on my feet. You can put on a black dress and these shoes, and you are set to go. I love how I feel when I’m wearing them.
NM: You have an amazing jewelry collection. Are these gifts from your husband, or do you buy your own jewelry?
TR: Oh, besides my wedding ring and special occasion pieces, I buy all of my jewelry.
NM: What is your most extravagant piece of jewelry?
TR: Antique ceremonial contract bracelets that were used for marriage ceremonies in the Indian culture. They belonged to my husband’s mother and were gifted to me by my father-in-law.
NM: Do you have a favorite scent, or do you mix fragrances?
TR: My personal fragrance would have to be Portrait of a Lady from Frederic Malle. I actually met him a while ago at a luncheon, and he sprayed the fragrance on me and said, “This is your perfume.” So that was it!
NM: Who, besides yourself, has access to the closet?
TR: My daughter always says that she doesn’t need to go to the store; she can just shop my closet! And of course I do let a few, very special friends borrow my Birkin bags.
Photographed by Chinh Phan.
See this story on the Neiman Marcus blog.