Every gentleman deserves a wardrobe space that reflects his personal style, values, and way of life. Inspired by Raphael’s quest to commission his own dream closet, this trilogy documents the entire process for designing a closet: initial research, collaboration with craftsmen, clever work-arounds for limited wall space, and a finale that showcases rows of tweed, evening wear, and color-coded accessories—all presented with practical tips for creating a similarly tailored retreat at home.
Part I: How to Get a Custom Closet on ANY Budget
In the first installment of the series, we explore the vision and practical benefits of building a bespoke closet. Through personal insights and real-life examples, including setups ranging from creative, budget-friendly solutions to more refined builds, we prove that personalized storage will enhance your daily dressing experience.
With clear guidance for organizing based on your own habits and space, along with budget-tiered options for closet design (under $200, $200–$2,000, and beyond), this video offers both inspiration and strategy for creating a closet that truly works for you.
Part II: How I Built My $41,000 Closet
In this detailed behind-the-scenes episode, you’ll follow the whole journey of designing and building Raphael’s custom closet—from early inspiration to final installation.
After years of living with clothes scattered across his home studio, Raphael set out to transform an 18 × 8-foot spare room into a true “dream closet.” Working with local firm Shearer Brothers for custom construction and Arterton of London for premium hangers, he navigated tight wall space, flooring quirks, structural-load questions, and a dizzying price range—from IKEA hacks to six-figure design-build quotes—before settling on two floor-to-ceiling islands, brass hardware, and a mint-green MDF finish matched to a masculine wallpaper.
The project became a crash course in materials (MDF vs. solid wood), lighting, workflow ergonomics, and the importance of samples and on-site mock-ups; it even required a structural engineer and a second wallpaper installer when the first contractor bailed.
Though the build stretched to 12 installation days and over $40k (with another $10,000 for custom hangers!), the result is a meticulously organized, visually striking space that stores every garment at arm’s reach and reflects Raphael’s passion for classic menswear.
Part III: Raphael’s Full Closet Tour
In the series finale, we get a floor-to-ceiling look at the finished dream closet. Host Jack joins the tour, moving from weight-sorted tweed jackets to seasonal suits, from shallow drawers for socks and pocket squares to a bespoke tie wall, flexible shoe-and-boot shelving, hat cubbies, and hidden drawers for rings and fragrances.
Along the way, you’ll pick up practical tips on walkway clearances, matching hangers, moth-proof garment care, and how to build in just enough “room to grow.”
Every decision—drawer heights, lighting, wallpaper, hardware, even the custom monogrammed hangers supplied by Arterton—shows how thoughtful design turns storage into a daily luxury. Whether you’re working with a spare bedroom or a slim wardrobe, this tour is packed with ideas you can scale to make your own closet truly worthy of a gentleman.
Turning Closet Concepts into Reality
Arterton
Arterton is a London-based outfitter devoted to the “aftercare” side of menswear—everything that protects, stores, and presents fine clothing once it leaves the tailor. From handcrafted Nakata hangers and wax-cotton garment bags to bespoke hardware and fitting advice, Arterton partners with sartorial enthusiasts to transform ordinary storage into a curated, long-lasting showcase.
Visit the Arterton Website!
Thanks for following along
Here’s to creating a closet you’ll love living with every day.
Save valuable space in your closet.
Learn to Store Your Winter Wardrobe
You need these ten critical items
Wardrobe Maintenance Essentials
You need these shirts.
First 10 Dress Shirts To Own
I had a closet organizing system made and installed for me, yet it doesn’t look nearly as cool as Jack’s setup!
One thing that my system has, though, that you can’t get with Ikea (at least, I don’t think you can) is a couple of cabinets with glass doors: one for sweaters, one for shirts. (I keep my shirts folded rather than on hangers, because hanging them would take up too much space.)
Thanks for the kind words, Miles! Taking a look at the Ikea Pax system, I can see a few glass door options for both sliding and hinged wardrobe doors. I admit I’ve also toyed with the idea of their glass-fronted drawers and shelves, too!
Comment on video no. 2: I’m just now having my house’s heating system replaced with a heat-pump system, and I’m paying only a little more than Raphael paid for his closet system! But it makes sense that it would cost that much to make really satisfying use of a space that large. Plaudits for accepting the additional expense to get materials of the color that you wanted rather than an innocuous but unsatisfying standard one. And very cool wallpaper and lighting. When I got a closet-organizing system made for me, I looked at the companies that specialize in such things and chose the one that offered genuine wood veneer rather than the artificial stuff. As I recall, it cost me about $6,000 for a space about 7 feet by 9 feet.
Comment on video no. 3: Since clothes are business for Raphael, it makes perfect sense that he would have such a huge wardrobe. For my part, even if I were able to acquire so many pieces of clothing and had sufficient space for storing them accessibly, I wouldn’t do so. I dislike having articles of clothing on my hands that I rarely or never wear, which would be most of them, if I had that many!