Confessions of a Stylist: Suzanne Kopulos of Garmental

Suzanne Kopulos of Garmental should be on your style-star speed-dial.

Famed for picking one-of-a-kind pieces and cult-following accessories, Kopulos spends most days shopping for her star clients (including Beyonce and Tim Gunn), styling models for print campaigns and dressing up close friends for red carpet affairs.  

Now she is teaming up with Keep.com to host “Keep it Chic”, a head-to-toe style and shopping event that kicks off tonight at RM Champagne Salon and runs every Wednesday through August 7. Guests will enjoy cocktails and canapés while stocking up on the most coveted fashion trends of the season and a chance to win a $500 shopping spree from a participating Chicago boutique.

Suzanne Kopulos

On the day of the debut, Luxe File Chicago caught up with the fashion guru who reports on her favorite shopping holes, wardrobe obsessions and handsome style icons.

You are a self-proclaimed shopping addict and the owner of Garmental, one of the city’s most stylish boutiques which spotlights the season’s most covetable pieces. What is the best part of your job?

I do what I love for a living. Whether I am window shopping for the season's hottest fashion or talking to new or emerging designers, I have a major passion for this industry and want to contribute to the thriving fashion community. That's what I love about the Keep It Chic event series: it's like virtual shopping the best boutiques and brands in Chicago and sharing it with a huge online shopping community.

What are three summer staples everyone needs in their closet right now?

1. The maxi dress has been on my list for seasons and it's not going away, especially for festival season. It's always super chic.

2. Sky-high wedge sandals. I love Coach and Rachel Zoe.

3. A statement necklace in either neon or industrial chic.

Speaking of closets – we’d love to get a peek at yours! Which pieces in your wardrobe are you most obsessed with?

I have a pretty collection of DVF dresses that I have gotten over the years – they boast fun, bold prints that never go out of style. I am also obsessed with Mango’s snakeskin textured jacket which I pair with a white midi skirt and Emporio Armani’s snake print patent leather sandals with bows.

Shopping is all about the hunt. Where are some of your favorite hotspots for scoring attention-grabbing designs?

I love the looks we feature on Garmental from Edith Hart, SARCA, Penelope's, Scoop, le Dress and Perchance Boutique. We'll be featuring some of these boutiques during the #KeepItChic series along with sunglass trends from Solstice Sunglasses.

There’s nothing like the thrill of discovering a new designer. Like a proud parent, Chicago is nurturing emerging talent into household names. What rising stars are currently on your mercurial style map?

I have been a big fan of the bold color and patterned dresses created by designer Kahindo Mateene for her Chicago-based womenswear brand, Modahnik. I am excited she has been chosen for the next season of Project Runway! She is extremely talented. 

Chicago is also a great city for accessory designers. I am into industrial chic and metals and am a big fan of Nicki Jean, jules and Bella Colletta. Nicki Jean will be featured at our July 24^th event and one of her pieces will be part of our featured giveaway that evening.

Any projects you’re currently working on?

I will be relaunching my luxe handbag collection, Boujie Baby Couture, under the name SLK. Think crossbody leather and clutches embellished with hardware galore at a very affordable price point.

Who is your style icon?

Tom Ford hands down.

We love a little fashion inspiration. What is your motto for keeping life chic?

If I am going bold – maybe a green leopard print DVF dress – then I will keep my accessories simple and add a metallic clutch and shoes. If I am going with black, white or any staple denim look, I always throw on a statement necklace to dress it up. It's always about feeling fabulous because you never know where the day or night will take you. 

For more style advice, follow Suzanne Kopulos on Twitter at @SLKStyle.