The Closet Diaries: Jacqueline Morton

Couture is not an option for Jacqueline Morton — it’s a lifestyle. The Sarasota native, who was once a buyer in New York City, is no stranger to the likes of one-of-a-kind fashions.

“When I was a young girl growing up in Sarasota, there was no place to buy clothes, so my mother had everything made,” says Morton, “Our aunt would send us Vogue from Boston, and we would see what we liked and have it made.”

Not much has changed for the queen of couture, who continues to not only buy one-of-a-kind clothing, but also frequently has pieces altered and adjusted. Referring to herself as a “frustrated fashion designer,” Morton customizes everything, from redesigning shoes and clothes by adding this or taking away that, to resizing them.

“You do what you have to do,” she says.

It’s only appropriate that such a marvelous wardrobe have a closet of the same caliber to hold (or more appropriately, display) the fine threads. BT spent an afternoon touring and admiring the contents of Morton’s exquisite custom-designed closet.

The Closet
Dressed in her “everyday attire” — Ralph Lauren black pants, a white Brooks Brothers shirt (which she loves so much she buys them by the trunk load), a pink Alexander McQueen jacket and Louis Vuitton heels — Morton explains her vision for her closet.

“I wanted one big room,” says Morton, whose husband, builder/architect David Morton, designed and built the closet for her 12 years ago.

It has a large dressing room area, two glass shoecase cabinets and multiple sections of cabinets, shelves and clothing racks. Morton has the closet organized by type clothing and color.

Handcrafted custom cabinetry, gilded and beveled glass doors, crown molding, Venetian mirrors and a crystal chandelier add to the elegance of it all.

“It’s very feminine, very French,” says Morton, who wanted the closet to resemble a French boudoir.
In the center of the room is the sitting area — a luxurious dressing room where the style maven can enjoy her fashions.

“I’m back here a lot, it’s home to me,” she says. “When I come back from New York or a trip, the first thing I do is come to my closet.”