Laura Baldini Discusses Her Rick Owens and Lanvin Filled Closet

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We're dedicating this week to the kind of fantastical shopping that most of us only get to experience in dreams. Taking a page from casino parlance, we'll be talking a lot about "whales," those big spenders who feel perfectly comfortable dropping tens of thousands of dollars every night on roulette, or, in our case, on Cartier, caviar facials, and Chanel. Welcome to Whale Week 2013.

Say "best dressed" in Boston, and Laura Baldini's name will probably come up. This realtor at Otis & Ahearn spends her free time looking fabulous at events and relaxing in warmer locales, particularly Miami. Rumor has it that she owns a major Rick Owens collection, so we decided to go straight to the source herself for the details.

Baldini is genuinely smitten with fashion, quickly reciting the specific gateway items that turned her on to Rick Owens, and her second favorite, Lanvin. (A leather jacket five years ago—still her favorite Rick Owens item—and a purple Lanvin cocktail dress five years ago, in case you were wondering.) She claims to even recall the specific outfit she donned when meeting someone for the first time, so as not to repeat a look. Where can we acquire that fashion superpower?

Her main attraction to Rick Owens is the designer's versatility. When she packs her travel bags, throwing in leather jacket, trousers, and tops can transition from street to party with ease. On the flip side, pretty dresses are Baldini's forte. She tends to select Lanvin silks for their understated sex appeal, which she prefers to an in-your-face Herve Leger number. Alan Bilzerian is a regular on her boutique circuit, and home to her favorite seamstress, who she works with to take up hemlines and turn runway pieces into one of a kind wears.

Though an obsession with Alexander McQueen faded after the revered designer's passing, Baldini is quick to mention that the label's neckerchiefs make excellent gifts for children.

Curious to know if this superstar shopper has ever experienced buyer's remorse? She cites having to return a Birkin at the request of an ex, only to buy a new one at a premium later on. Ooof.

Now we imagine there must be quite the closet setup behind such a stunning wardrobe, especially to house her Balmain flats collection, boasting 20 pairs (black being her go-to). Keeping her gowns in a "vault" downstairs, most of her actual closet is quite organized. A collector at heart, Baldini still owns a pair of John Fluevog clogs from her college years. At the end of the day, she figures these sartorial treasures can make killer prom dresses for her nieces. Lucky ladies, right?

Keep perusing the racks at Boston's dreamiest stores for the chance to encounter this shopper in person. You'll probably find her ogling Tomas Maier cashmere, Isabel Marant tees, or Charlotte Olympia shoes.

· 18 Stores to Spend It All When You Have Money to Burn [Racked Boston]
· 38 Essential Boston Shopping Experiences, Winter 2013 [Racked Boston]
· All Whale Week coverage [Racked Boston]

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