Ellen’s Closet
She spent decades styling clothes in her own unique way, living life on her own terms, and left a legacy of spirit and creativity.
“She had more life adventures than 10 people put together.”
Honoring a life
For a bereaved sister, the daunting task of sorting through her sibling’s large collection of carefully curated clothes unexpectedly became a journey of discovery.
When Margaret Johnson began to document her sister Ellen’s iconic garments, collected over 40 years, she never imagined that the clothes would find a new home at the Texas Fashion Collection, a major cultural and educational institution.
Just as Ellen would have wanted.
This beautifully crafted book assembles personal narratives and powerful, intimate photographs, designed to visually express Ellen’s life and the style inherent in how she lived.
Inside the book
Inside the book
Praise for Ellen's Closet
“Some people merely wear clothes, but Ellen Johnson lived them. High fashion became more through her curatorial eye and creative spirit - both celebrated in this book and in her archived wardrobe.”
— Annette Becker, Director of the Texas Fashion Collection
“Ellen's Closet is absolutely brilliant and very moving. I greatly appreciate the sublime interaction of the texts and beautifully chosen images -- that interaction between pictures and texts adds so much meaning. And then there is the narrative flow: it's great how you begin with the overview of her life through fashion and marriage, and only later go to the "modeling" and inventory of the pieces in her closet (including the fashion labels). This is SO well done. She would indeed have been proud and happy. What an immense tribute.”
— Vicky Kiechel
“I loved your book, Ellen’s Closet. You brought Ellen back to life with this beautiful tribute—honoring your dear sister and her extraordinary artistic sense of style. What a gift it is that these photographs were taken and preserved, allowing you to share them with those who loved her and to relive the wonderful moments you shared together. ”
— Anne Riggle
“An incredible book. I leaned a lot about Ellen I didn’t know before. She did so many good things in her life and always it seems maintained a great sense of humor. She clearly was a fun, adventurous and caring person. ”
— David Leon
In Partnership with the Texas Fashion Collection
"Wouldn't it be great if these clothes could be useful, they could have a purpose, so that people could study the designs?" — Ellen
Ellen’s Closet was archived in collaboration with the Texas Fashion Collection, a premier research facility dedicated to preserving and celebrating fashion history and cultural heritage. Students, researchers, and the general public can now study and learn from Ellen’s collection.