Stephanie Hemsley, from dressing Lady Gaga to choosing the clothes that millionaires will wear in an ultra-luxury bunker: "Clothes should create a feeling of normality"

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Us common mortals had almost forgotten about them when a video of

Mark Zuckerberg,

the owner of Meta, inside the movie theater of his

bunker in Hawaii,

went viral a few weeks ago. Then we watched the movie

'Leaving the World Behind'

on Netflix (with the

Obamas

as executive producers, here's a tomato) and we definitely noticed an unmistakable pre-apocalyptic whiff in the air.

Googling

, just in case, we discovered the existence and good health of a large number of

companies manufacturing bunkers,

prefabricated or custom-made, for more 'modest' pockets (there are bunkers starting at 30,000 euros) or super luxury. Among the latter, one from the firm

Abiboo Studio, an American multinational that, among other things, works on

space architecture

projects

(sustainable extraplanetary settlements) and extreme environments, among others, shines like a diamond among the ashes.

Exterior of the DBX bunker, the ultra-luxury space in which Stephanie Hemsley has collaborated.IMAGE: ABIBOO STUDIO

How to bring luxury to a bunker

The

bunker

in question is called

DBX

and is an "ultra-luxury" underground home created somewhere in

South Carolina (USA)

"as a refuge for catastrophic events" and that "guarantees the survival of its inhabitants for a long period of time." , according to Abiboo Studio. In its

1,200 square meters

there is everything: garage, swimming pool, lounges, greenhouse... and of course, large spaces for food storage. The bunker, built on (under) a plot of 48,562.3 square meters, can accommodate

two families

and a total of

10 people.

But, after thinking about every last detail, including the (very important) decoration, minimalist but cozy and with a strong relaxing vocation, something was missing. Something much more important than it may seem at first glance:

the clothes of the bunker inhabitants.

Because it is very doubtful that if you have to crawl out of wherever you are to lock yourself up (perhaps for years!) underground, you will start thinking about

what to put in your suitcase.

Rather, it would most likely be the last thing you would consider. So, they reflected from Abiboo, the ideal would be that when they arrived at the bunker, its inhabitants would already find the clothes stuffed in the closets.

The large living room of the bunker, overlooking an interior garden. Purple tones are especially relaxing.IMAGE: Abiboo Studio

And what do you wear in a bunker?

To answer this question, and make the 'wardrobe' design, the studio contacted

Stephanie Hemsley,

a fashion stylist and image consultant - she has worked with celebrities such as

Lady Gaga

and

Venus Williams -

with whom they had previously collaborated. According to what he tells Yo Dona, the love (with the project) was instantaneous: "When Abiboo invited me to collaborate to select a collection for the clients of a bunker in South Carolina, I was happy to be able to join." The experience, she explains, has been very enriching: "It has taught me to think of fashion not only as an expression of style, but as a vital tool for adaptability and well-being in extreme environments."

The bunker bedroom, spacious and in neutral tones.IMAGE: Abiboo Studio

How you organize your closet is also luxury

Her participation in the project consisted of

selecting the wardrobe

that the bunker's inhabitants would find when they had to face the fact of having to live there for an indefinite period of time, for which the stylist worked directly with the client remotely. Once garments and accessories were chosen, Stephanie Hemsley worked closely with Abiboo Studio "to

seamlessly

integrate each garment and accessory

into the bunker closet design.

Whether in a conventional home or a unique space like a bunker or yacht, "One of the keys to a luxurious experience lies in the careful personalization of every detail, including

closet organization."

Moodboard created by Stephanie Hemsley with part of her selection of clothes for living in a bunker.

In this unique project, what was the biggest challenge? One of the most significant was the selection of as few

elements as possible.

Almost the opposite of my day-to-day assignments with celebrities, magazines or advertising campaigns, where it is common to plan for a multitude of possible scenarios, which requires having a wide variety of options prepared. However, in the case of the bunker, precision and minimalism became fundamental, leading me to adopt the concept of a 'capsule collection', where each piece was selected to

maximize functionality

and

versatility

. When selecting each piece, it was crucial to find a

balance between comfort, durability and elegance.

Does elegance have a place in a place like a bunker? Although it is assumed that in critical situations, such as may occur during a stay in a bunker, elegance is not a priority, it is important to keep in mind that, in the case of high-profile clients with public-facing responsibilities, appearances on television or important video calls from there are predictable. In the case of the DBX, we were able to take advantage of the opportunity to prepare clothing in advance, in order to be prepared for any eventuality. The mere idea of ​​giving warmth, even normality, to a place as cold as a bunker seems impossible... It is possible to transform an

inevitably

austere

space

like a bunker into a

cozy refuge.

At first I had the perception that all bunkers were

purely utilitarian structures,

almost like underground cargo containers, and I questioned the relevance of my experience in that context. However, once I saw Abiboo's designs, my mind was opened to the possibilities of

luxury bunker living.

My goal was then to guarantee comfort, incorporating

natural materials

to counteract the abnormal sensation inseparable from having to be locked in a bunker for a long period of time. How did you do it? I opted for materials that provided a

great tactile experience

such as

cashmere

,

merino wool,

silk

and

linen, and selected a variety of

clothing

and accessories that accentuated

warmth

and

comfort

. The choice of a

neutral color palette

was also deliberate, aiming to instill a

sense of calm and tranquility

amid the potential stress associated with staying in a bunker. We also made sure that each fashion element complemented the

décor and interior design,

creating a harmonious flow that enhanced the

feeling of home.

Moodboard created by Stephanie Hemsley with part of her selection of clothes for living in a bunker.

So, what do we wear to live in a bunker with these characteristics? The focus should be on

mental well-being.

Living in a bunker is in itself a radical change in lifestyle that can lead to a high degree of stress. Having tools such as fashion, which vary as little as possible from what we used to do on a daily basis, can help mitigate the negative impact on the psychological level. Going further, a bunker clothing collection should

encourage adaptability

and maximize outfit possibilities. In this sense, the chosen garments should be able to generate multiple combinations, so that we achieve a great diversity of outfits with a

reduced base of garments.

In addition, I advocate wearing

top and bottom sets

that are simple and comfortable and that can be worn together or in combination with other clothes. Depending on each person's particular tastes, whether neutral colors and a loose silhouette, as was the case in the In the case of DBX, or vibrant tones and striking prints, if these colors are your favorites, each piece must be carefully chosen for its versatility, ensuring a high number of combinations. This approach not only optimizes the space within the bunker, but also provides a practical and elegant solution to the inherent limitations of living in small spaces. Don't you think, Stephanie, that if we lived in a bunker, even a luxury bunker, In the end would we end up becoming beings permanently dressed in pajamas? Absolutely! I think the

lockdown during Covid

is a recent example that shows us how, for long periods at home, what matters most is comfort, and this principle also holds true in a bunker environment. Most of the clothes I chose for these clients were

very comfortable.

When selecting clothing for this purpose, I turned to brands that I often work with for clients seeking comfort and luxury such as

Loro Piana, Olivia von Halle, The Row, Brunello Cucinelli

and

Raey.

These choices were based on their commitment to

high-quality craftsmanship,

the use of

exquisite materials

, and a minimalist aesthetic. Although 'loungewear' offers unparalleled comfort,

monotony

can set in after a while. Therefore, I think it is important to introduce variety into the collection. Reflecting on my own experience during Covid, there were times when I chose to wear

some of

my most special dresses

at home ,

not only for my personal passion for fashion, but also to break the monotony of months of wearing 'loungewear'. While some people are perfectly comfortable in pajamas every day, others find pleasure in the act of dressing more formally, and part of my job is to figure out and accommodate those preferences appropriately.

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