Photo: Renee Rodenkirchen of The Coveteur
Cutting Out the Clutter
Some say Gayle King is a hoarder of shoes, bags, and bling. Others say she's merely a woman showing respect to Mr. T. Either way, Adam Glassman is determined to cut through the clutter—with a machete if necessary! This is their story of obsessive love and (if Adam has anything to say about it) letting go.
Photo: Renee Rodenkirchen of The Coveteur
The Three Rules of the Game
"How can you find your keys in a bag that's big enough to cover a third of my body?" Adam asks, before Gayle proves the bag will hold only a quarter of him. Muffled but unfazed, Adam lays down the law: "If you haven't used it in three seasons, if it's beyond repair, if it's absolutely out of style, if you already have something very similar—it's out!"
Photo: Renee Rodenkirchen of The Coveteur
Keep Only What You Love
"Gayle, that bag is so 1977, it's like you're channeling Carly Simon. You're so vain," Adam sings, "I'll bet you think this purse is about you. I see two choices here: You can wave goodbye to the pieces that don't reflect who you really are, or you can get me a Xanax."
Photo: Renee Rodenkirchen of The Coveteur
Do You Really Need It?
"This cork and leather tote will be great when I go to an island," Gayle says. "You've said that about five different bags," Adam growls. "Where are all these islands you're going to, Gilligan?" Gayle thinks. "Well, there's Staten Island, there's Long Island, and isn't Manhattan an island?"
Photo: Renee Rodenkirchen of The Coveteur
The Breakdown
123... number of clutches in Gayle's closet
77... number of shoulder bags in Gayle's closet
43... number of clutches Adam wants Gayle to let go of, "preferably over an active volcano"
29... number of shoulder bags Adam would like to see donated to charity, given to friends and family or set on fire
Number of times Gayle glares, explains her need for a vast array of yellow tote bags, and demands a recount...
to infinity and beyond!
Photo: Renee Rodenkirchen of The Coveteur
Gayle's Handbags—Organized!
After Gayle and Adam eliminate 56 bags, organizer extraordinaire Jeffrey sorts the clutches by category—day or evening—and arranges both groups by color in
acrylic GLAMdivides, keeping evening clutches up high and everyday pieces more accessible.
Photo: Renee Rodenkirchen of The Coveteur
A Brilliant Organizing Solution
"Where have you been all my life?" Gayle asks her brand-new earring racks. "This is awesome. The earrings are color coordinated and everything!"
Photo: Renee Rodenkirchen of The Coveteur
Give It Away
Gayle notices an ornate gold necklace in the giveaway tray. "But Adam," she says, "I wore that to Alicia Keys's Egyptian-themed birthday party."Adam is firm: "Listen, Cleopatra, the next time you're invited to an Egyptian-themed party, I'll get you a new necklace. It's not that it's bad; it's just that you have better ones."
Photo: Renee Rodenkirchen of The Coveteur
Gayle's Jewelry—Organized!
Help for getting your life—or at least your closet—together, Gayle-style:
» GLAMdivides, $149 to $179;
theorganizingstore.com
» Clear trays, Neatnix, $18 to $21;
theorganizingstore.com
» Drawer dividers, Lifestyle Systems, $11 to $31;
organize.com
» Expert organizer Jeffrey Phillip;
jeffreyphillip.com
Photo: Renee Rodenkirchen of The Coveteur
Keep It Simple
Adam likes what he sees. "Your Clover Canyon dress is so patterned that it's best to keep accessories simple," he says. "But simple doesn't have to mean boring. The diamond ear climber is a cool look, and when you add a silver cuff and one ring on two fingers—you're thoroughly modern, Gayle!"
