A Love Letter To My Wardrobe

There’s a quiet revolution happening in the way we relate to our wardrobes. Increasingly, people are moving towards building timeless wardrobes rather than chasing the next trend. In fashion, what’s new is so often just the past rediscovered - Nineties silhouettes have proven remarkably enduring in recent collections, while designers like Saint Laurent are now drawing fresh inspiration from the Seventies and Eighties. This shift isn’t just about nostalgia; it’s about valuing what lasts and finding new ways to care for garments that honor both their craftsmanship and their history.

For me, this is far more than a trend. My relationship with clothes is nothing short of a life-long love affair. My wardrobe is filled with one-of-a-kind treasures: each piece I own is a collectible, a memory, woven with stories from fashion shows, travels, and chapters of my life. Over the years, I have built not just a wardrobe, but a curated collection of Haute Couture, ready-to-wear, and archival pieces - each chosen with the same intention and care as a collector acquiring art.

Caring for such a collection is not always simple. I’m based in Monaco, but with family in London, I’m constantly between the two cities. I usually have my clothes cleaned in London or Paris and am always on the lookout for a truly reliable dry cleaner - a familiar quest to anyone who truly treasures their clothes. Over the years, I’ve experienced my share of disappointments: beautiful pieces returned shrunken, dulled, damaged, or even lost altogether. If I were to write down all the cautionary tales from dry cleaners over the years, it would be quite a read. That’s why finding someone who truly understands what my wardrobe means to me has felt so important.

During my last stay in London, La Sirène came highly recommended - not least by Chanel themselves as a trusted cleaning partner. Founded in Paris three years ago, La Sirène call themselves “The Spa for clothes specialising in luxury garment care.” I was genuinely hopeful, but to be honest, also rather sceptical. However, from the very first interaction, their approach was thoughtful and reassuring.

While I was in Monaco, they arranged to collect my pieces in London - a Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda dress, a fully embroidered Dolce & Gabbana Alta Sartoria jacket, a Chanel shiny leather jacket, and a set from Chanel’s Egyptian collection. Each item is unique and irreplaceable, and I needed to know they would be safe. Eager to see the results, I chose to collect my pieces in person, and I was honestly impressed. They handled everything perfectly, including the garments I was most worried about.

Sustainability is also a big factor for me, and I always look closely at how a service approaches it. La Sirène truly stands out in this regard. Their gentle, fabric-safe cleaning uses an innovative method based on liquefied gas naturally present in the atmosphere - an alternative to harsh, hot solvents traditionally used in dry cleaning. This cold-cleaning process is far safer for intricate, high-end garments, helping to preserve delicate fabrics and prevent the damage or shrinkage that can occur with conventional methods. Spot cleaning and ironing are carried out entirely by hand, which I believe makes all the difference. Even their packaging reflects this thoughtful approach: hangers are made from recycled paper, garment covers are fully biodegradable (crafted from fermented cornstarch), and I was especially charmed by the personalised organza covers with my initials, crafted from deadstock fabric.

It’s reassuring to know my clothes are treated well and the process behind it is responsible.

By Inna Dudakova

Fashion Editor