As the SVP fashion director at Saks, Roopal Patel has a hand in all things fashion and creative (sounds fabulous, right?). “I oversee women’s and men’s ready-to-wear, accessories, shoes, jewelry, and beauty—no two days are ever the same,” she says.
But what exactly does that mean? Well, for Patel, it means defining the fashion direction and trends for the mega-retailer, scouting new designers, and bringing the season’s trends to life. Which, as you can imagine, makes for a pretty busy fashion month. But when you have the entirety of Saks Fifth Avenue as your virtual closet, the dressing challenge becomes one of editing rather than options. Oh, and a challenge of packing. “When I’m packing, I like to hang everything on thin hangers and then put them in garment bags,” she says. “I fold them into my suitcases so that I can just pull them out and place them in my closet. This makes unpacking very easy considering I hit London, Milan and Paris. Organization is key!”
So, when you have the best of the best at your fingertips, what do you pick? “This season I am all about power dressing. I love the luxe and rich textures and statement accessories. Here are some of my favorite pieces, and how I’ll wear them.”
