The contents of a closet reveal so much about the wearer–lifestyle, aspirations, travel experiences, affinities, and beliefs around sustainability. More interesting than any garment is the person wearing it–someone with a singular point of view who can't be easily labeled. Enjoy part two of our peak inside local wardrobes.
Morgan Jones Johnston
Morgan Jones Johnston’s artistic, bon vivant aesthetic tells a tale of accessible luxury, where every collected item has a story. While most of her vêtements are vintage, even the newly rendered pieces feel nostalgic, full of whimsy, and romantic.
“I grew up playing in my grandmothers’ dress collections,” Morgan muses. In her grandmothers’ wardrobes, she saw how one accessory–a scarf, sunglasses, and a bright lipstick–can instantly uplift a mood.
Paris flea market finds spark joy alongside Birmingham estate sale treasures. “When I find something I love, it’s less about the piece itself and more about the moment I find it,” she says.
“Birmingham has a treasure trove of vintage resources,” Morgan says, noting MK Quinlan and Devore Vintage. Today, Morgan wears a gown from Boho Vintage Birmingham. Another local favorite is Susan Dumas. “Her at-home shopping occasions are the most amped-up estate sale vibe ever–it’s very sisterly, and everyone is cheering each other on!”
And what about current designers? Alessandro Michele (of Gucci fame, now creative director at Valentino) is a favorite, as is Maison Schiaparelli.
Outside of haute couture and vintage finds, Morgan is currently loving vintage-inspired American brand Dôen. “And, of course, I love all the French girl labels like Sézane, Rouje, and Polène.”
Hannah Conzelman
From playing dress-up in her grandmother’s 1940s lucite shoes to witnessing her mother wear Calvin Klein and Alberta Ferretti designs, Birmingham native Hannah Conzelman grew up surrounded by style.
While in Australia–where she lived for much of her 20s–Hannah stumbled upon a tiny jewel box of a vintage shop, Clara Fox, where she fell in love with antique French lingerie from the 1920s and 1930s. “That’s where I learned everything I know about fabrics, seam work, and different types of lace from various parts of the world.”
After returning to Birmingham, Hannah opened Devore Vintage, her by-appointment-only antique clothing storefront in Pepper Place. She sources pieces from around the globe but says, “Nothing excites me more than receiving a box of pieces from France.”
Today, she’s wearing a silk chiffon and lace peignoir handmade in China in the early 1930s. Such rare antique pieces are at home alongside current designer pieces in Hannah’s highly edited wardrobe.
“I do buy current designer clothes; I just don’t buy new. I buy a lot from The RealReal and Vestiaire–and I’m a big eBay shopper,” she says, pointing to second-hand pieces by Khaite, BODE, and Rodarte.
Ashley Miles
“I love color!” Ashley Miles beams. “To me, vibrant colors represent optimism, joy, and possibilities. My passion is helping people and companies unlock their full power and potential, and color lights me up.”
Ashley is the Founder & CEO of Franklyn West, a new-era business growth advisory and execution firm. A native Louisianian, Ole Miss alum, and recent New York City transplant, Ashley's style is influenced by her vast life experiences. In the American West–specifically, her beloved Aspen, where she enjoys spending time with her family and friends–Ashley’s festive, layered, and playful side takes the lead, channeling her inner cowgirl spirit. Meetings with Fortune 500 CEOs and C-suite advertising executives in Manhattan may necessitate a more buttoned-up style, but she always expresses her style unapologetically.
“Since I was a little girl in my grandmother Madelyn’s closet filled with New Orleans flare, I have loved beautiful things–an object, a person, or a piece of art.
A lover of mixing old with new, Ashley frequents local purveyors Susan Dumas and MK Quinlan and antique stores like Hannah’s and Stash.
When asked what she’d rescue from her closet in case of a fire, Ashley’s answers reflect a love of travel and family: Custom Kemo Sabe Aspen hat and boots, hot pink Gucci loafers, Miu Miu round Elton John-esque glasses, a Madame Matovu Pucci-style dress, a Susan Dumas pastel set, a turquoise power suit from Sandro in Paris, her collection of vintage turquoise, and her engagement ring. “It was my mother-in-law’s high school graduation gift from her father, and I will treasure it in her family’s honor forever.”