Cover Sarah Genove-Yu in a suit by Pretty Little Thing
Sarah Genove-Yu in a suit by Pretty Little Thing
1 / 1
Sarah Genove-Yu’s personal style is reflected in the walk-in wardrobe she worked hard to design
The rise of influencers brought forth several Filipinos who wanted to have a taste of the quiet, luxurious lifestyle—but only a few are as authentic and classy as Sarah Genove-Yu.
Since founding her floral boutique, Pretty Withered, and a non-profit organisation, Project 1K Philippines, 31-year-old Sarah Genove-Yu has proved that she is more than just a social media personality with a large following. With over 104,000 followers on Instagram, she gives her audience a peek into her multihyphenate lifestyle as an entrepreneur, a content creator, a concerned Filipino citizen and a proud mother of two.
In case you missed it: “Home is where the heart is”: Kai Lim gives entertaining tips
An avid follower of Yu will agree that she proudly embodies the “edgy, classy” persona. “When it comes to my style aesthetic, it’s about wearing whatever makes you feel good,” she says, explaining how she leans toward the classic, avant-garde and sultry pieces in clothing. This philosophy is reflected in how she lives her life, from the way she presents herself to the world to how her private wardrobe looks. “My closet is truly a reflection of me,” she shares.
Above A top view of Yu’s self-designed two-storey wardrobe space
Above The entrepreneur arranges her
clothing based on fashion trends
A top view of Yu’s self-designed two-storey wardrobe space
1 / 2
Similar to a Philipp Plein boutique, marble, stainless steel, wood and glass dominate the content creator’s two-storey walk-in closet. “I want it to mirror the elegance of a luxury store,” Yu explains, having handled 100 per cent of the interior design. She collaborated with different suppliers to craft her dream project. Fozzini Lifestyle Concepts, Inc customised the cabinetry, her artist friend’s Edison Metal and Glass Company did the stainless steel work, and Felport International Marketing helped with the marble finishes—every provider successfully meeting her specific needs and preferences.
As you enter the place, her capsule wardrobe in constant display will immediately draw you in, featuring timeless items that never go out of style. “I simply refresh it with trendy pieces as needed,” she says. Her extremely rare Himalayan Hermès Birkin, is also always in the spotlight.
Above Yu wanted to give off the feeling of a
luxury store
Above In front of the mounted
cabinetry for shoes is a chandelier
customised by Illuminati Technique
Yu wanted to give off the feeling of a luxury store
1 / 2
For Yu, the key to having the dream closet is organisation. She has a system for all her things, and makes sure she follows everything to a T. “I arrange my clothes and accessories based on current fashion trends. The ground floor houses my frequently worn items, while the second floor stores those I use less often, optimising the utilisation of my closet space,” she says. “Having a well-organised wardrobe is crucial because it inspires my creativity in crafting my own personal style.”
In light of the subject, she shares that her biggest pet peeve is when bags are stacked together. “Sort your clothes by colour, texture and purpose,” she suggests. “A well-organised closet offers better insight into maximising your wardrobe. It aids in determining which items to retain, which to part with, and what to acquire next, ultimately assisting you in visualising your dream closet.”
Above For easy access, her accessories like her Fendi headband are
on display
Above A rare Himalayan Hermès Birkin
For easy access, her accessories like her Fendi headband are on display
1 / 2
Above A futuristic Phantom
mirror from Furnitalia
Above Versus by Versace accessories organiser
A futuristic Phantom mirror from Furnitalia
1 / 2
Additionally, the entrepreneur deeply encourages excellent cabinet storage for leather goods. “Proper storage is crucial for maintaining your luxury pieces in pristine condition.” Investing in high-quality hangers is also a must—they’ll serve you and your clothes well for a lifetime. “Lastly, consider investing in a reliable dehumidifier, as it will help prevent mould and mildew from damaging your entire collection,” she adds.
“Incorporating one’s own character into a wardrobe goes hand in hand with crafting a space that reflects this.”
Above For Yu, her closet is a reminder of her hard work
throughout the years
Above An artwork by Bencab
For Yu, her closet is a reminder of her hard work throughout the years
1 / 2
Above Edison Metal and Glass Company
customised a shoe rack
that suits Yu’s taste
Above A special sunglass rack made from granite and acrylic
Edison Metal and Glass Company customised a shoe rack that suits Yu’s taste
1 / 2
Good lighting also makes or breaks a room, and Yu made certain not to leave this at the tail end of her planning. “I prefer a subdued ambience in my closet and avoid direct sunlight, as it can potentially harm some of my collections,” she says. “However, I do have a small rectangular window on the second floor to introduce natural light in a controlled manner.” Natural light, after all, is still essential in providing soft, flattering illumination that helps you distinguish colours accurately.
If she had to pick her favourite part in the closet, it would be the sunglasses rack. “It holds a special place in my heart,” she genuinely says. “It combines functionality with a unique and captivating aesthetic appeal.” And she’s infinitely proud of it. A closet is more than just a showroom; it is a safe haven. Incorporating one’s own character into a wardrobe goes hand in hand with crafting a space that reflects this. “The designer pieces I’ve curated, as well as the mirrors, paintings, and various art pieces that complete the overall aesthetic, are proof of how I infused my personality into my wardrobe,” Yu says.
NOW READ
Consciously Crafted: Stephanie Kienle Gonzalez and Jessica Kienle Maxwell relay the Philux story
Beyond borders: The 10 most beautiful types of homes in the world
Credits
Photography: Sproos Creatives and Advan Ramirez
Topics
Angela Nicole Regis Guiral is a digital editor at Tatler Philippines. She studied journalism and has since written features that look closely at how culture, lifestyle and social impact converge, while occasionally wandering into the worlds of style and travel.
