In the high-stakes world of Hollywood red carpet fashion, the journey of a garment doesn’t begin when it hits the carpet–or when the cameras stop flashing. For many of these one-of-a-kind designer pieces, the destination before and after the glamorous events is UOVO Fashion, where our passionate team of experts ensures these cultural artifacts are preserved with the best care. We sat down with Senior Wardrobe Manager Mariana Clark at UOVO Fashion to discuss details of archiving iconic fashion pieces and the importance of storing your garments.
Mariana’s journey into fashion archiving began with a degree in Visual Communications. Her expertise in styling gave her a deep understanding of garment construction, terminology, and historical references, all of which are critical when cataloging and preserving pieces at UOVO.
“I love the research aspect of it all,” she shares. “You think you’ve seen it all, and then a completely unexpected piece comes in, and suddenly, you’re diving into books and magnifying glasses to understand its origin.”
UOVO’s Role in Hollywood Events
One of the most thrilling aspects of Mariana’s job is handling garments for high-profile events––from red carpet looks to press releases.
When it comes to preparing for events like the 67th annual Grammy Awards, UOVO’s temporary storage service is invaluable. As stylists prepare for the event, they need to pull these pieces constantly for fittings. UOVO prioritizes these items to ensure they’re prepared for stylists at any time. The process involves inspecting and itemizing each garment, then photographing it for the system.
“One day we’ll see a picture and we’re like, that’s coming in next morning and sometimes we’ll see it before and then it’ll be like, oh, they need it. And then the next day it’ll be up or in a music video.”
Lately, celebrities are really going out with press tour looks.
“We’ve had really iconic looks from the red carpet,” she says. “We work with designers who use unconventional materials for large structural pieces––we have this one garment with a six-foot circumference almost like the size of a room. It’s huge and it’s very delicate.”
Preserving Fashion History
In addition to handling celebrity red carpet looks, Mariana’s job consists of archiving garments that have historical or cultural significance––from movies to Chanel collections.
“There are certain pieces that even people outside of fashion would immediately recognize,” she says. “For example, we receive collections of actors and costumes from their movies. Going through those is a surreal experience.”
Another standout project involved cataloging an extensive private collection of Chanel runway pieces, many from Karl Lagerfeld’s tenure. “These looks arrive styled exactly as they appeared on the runway, so it’s always exciting to see because Chanel’s so detailed––you get close to these pieces and you start to notice every single detail and stitching that you’d never noticed from afar.”
The Art of Preservation
At UOVO, preservation isn’t just about storing clothing—it’s a science requiring specialized knowledge and techniques. The core of Mariana’s role involves detailed itemization, documenting everything from fabric type and color to structure and style for each piece. This thorough process includes comprehensive inspection to identify any necessary repairs, cleaning requirements, or special storage needs. Many don’t realize the level of care required, from temperature-controlled environments to archival-quality materials.
The level of care extends to creating optimal storage environments for different materials. Fur and leather require specific temperature and humidity conditions, while delicate fabrics like lace need special handling. Even the choice of hangers is crucial—wooden ones can release gases that discolor fabrics over time, leading UOVO to use only archival-quality materials throughout our process, down to the specific ink used for labeling.
Preserving a garment’s shape is another key concern. “For structured pieces like corsets or jackets, we create bust forms out of tissue to help them retain their shape. The same principle applies to shoes and bags,” she adds. “Tissue is your best friend.”
For Mariana and the UOVO Fashion team, garment preservation represents more than just technical expertise—it’s a commitment to protecting craftsmanship. Whether handling a one-of-a-kind red carpet gown, an iconic movie costume, or a curated private collection, UOVO Fashion recognizes that each piece tells a unique story worth preserving for future generations.
Watch the full interview for further insight from Mariana on how UOVO Fashion archives iconic garments.