Council Wardrobe Studio debuted in 2014 in Nashville, TN, and later in 2018 in Columbus, Ga, with a curated, collection-oriented approach. Whether shopping in the store’s brick-and-mortar location in Uptown Columbus or its well-styled, online presence, owner Clare Koppang encourages women to choose stylish, comfortable apparel based on lifestyle and flexibility to transition from one setting to another.

By Marla Caligaris - Photography by Morgan Duke Photography

Council Wardrobe Studio has opened as Uptown Columbus' premier women's clothing store, and now an online shopping destination. Owner and Columbus, Georgia native, Clare Turner Koppang, began her personal shopping and wardrobe styling service, Council, in 2014 out of Nashville, TN. Marriage, a growing family and spotting a void in her hometown for women's apparel brought Clare back to Columbus. Koppang opened brick-and-mortar store, Council Wardrobe Studio in May 2018. SVM chatted with Clare about the inspiration behind Council Wardrobe Studio, her fashion career path, and her all-time favorite fashion trends.

How long has Council Wardrobe Studio been around? And what inspired you to open it? Council started in 2014 in Nashville, TN. I had worked in retail for a decade and was helping several clients with their wardrobes in my free time. My personal styling business grew, and I took a leap and opened a small wardrobe studio.

I kept hearing that women knew they loved a piece but “could never pull it off” or “didn’t have anywhere to wear it”, so my goal was, and still is, to style pieces multiple ways to help you wear what you love and feel great every day.

Have you always known you were heading to a fashion career path? Oh yes. I never really imagined doing anything else! Fashion feels innate to me. I am lucky enough and have worked really hard to get to do what I love.

Do you prefer to look for trendy items or staple items when shopping? Staple items for sure, but with special details. I believe in building a wardrobe like you build an art collection, you need to fill the walls, but it should excite you. Trends are fun, but I recommend buying them sparingly or spending less on those pieces, and really invest in the things you’ll wear again and again.

What has been the hardest part about opening a boutique? All the hats… and I don’t mean the hats we sell. I mean my creative brain just cannot handle bookkeeping and numbers. When I finally started to delegate the areas I am not strong in, things began to flow better.

What are some of your favorite brands to buy for the boutique? Zadig & Voltaire is a French brand that is just so unique. Hunter Bell is a new favorite, Southern designer who just gets how to make a great dress, and R.G. Kane is another new favorite, ethically made in the US.

What trends are you seeing for summer? Color! Still seeing lots of color and loving it. Designer Hunter Bell put it best - “Dopamine brights are trending.” These brights just make you happy!

What are your all-time favorite fashion trends? Blazers and hats. Not necessarily together, but certainly can be worn that way. There’s something really chic and even mysterious about a great hat, it adds instant style to any simple pieces. And blazers are an easy way to look put together, whether you’re going to work and wearing with pants, or over a silk skirt or shorts for a night out.

CLARE TURNER KOPPANG: Council Wardrobe Studio