The History of Reel Clothes

Have you ever watched a movie and wondered what happened to all that stuff after they finished filming? As an auditor in the accounting department of a major studio, the responsibility of Elaine Vollmer was to account for the wardrobe and props after a production was completed.

 Even when close tabs were kept and virtually nothing was missing, the studio faced a dilemma: Where do we store all this stuff? Huge studios like Disney, Universal and Warner Bros. have massive wardrobe and prop departments, but even they have space limitations. Just like anyone else, the studios have to periodically clean out their closets. But how? An orderly, systematic method of re-selling wardrobe and props to the public was the solution. That’s why Reel Clothes was conceived.

 Elaine Vollmer established the first retail store specializing in the sale of wardrobe from movies and TV in 1981. Then called The Retake Room and later renamed Studio Wardrobe, the business was dubbed Reel Clothes in 1996. In 1991, Elaine took on a business partner, her daughter Holly Haber. Holly, an actress who appeared (as Cowgirl Number 3) with Kim Basinger and Daryl Hannah in the film Hard Country, and in numerous television shows, co-owns the busines, which is now exclusively on the Internet.

  For years, Reel Clothes retained the Studio City roots of its boutique beginnings. The store was located within walking distance of the CBS Studio Center, home to The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Gilligan’s Island, Gunsmoke,  Seinfeld, and The Larry Sanders Show in years past and current hits like Just Shoot Me, That 70's Show, and 3rd Rock From The Sun.

Many stars and celebrities have shopped at the store, including Amanda Plummer, Debby Harry, Lori Petty, Geena Davis, Dave Foley, Leonard Maltin, Judy Tenuta, Emo Phillips, and Robert Mandan.   Marlon Brando got his haircut at The Yellow Balloon, a children’s hair salon next door!

  Our longevity and reputation have resulted in tremendous media exposure.  Reel Clothes has been featured on Extra, Entertainment Tonight, Access Hollywood, E!, CNN, CNBC, Canal Plus, The Family Channel, Telemudo, and German, French, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Brazilian and British television.
 

We were also featured in the Style section of the July 15, 1996 issue of People. To read the article click here.
 

Reel Clothes & Props

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