Celeb Style Guru Christos Garkinos Reveals His Most Secret Fashion Tips!

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According to Christos Garkinos, an authority on high-end shopping and author of the recent memoir “Covet the Comeback“, Hollywood appreciates tales of resurgence. In his opinion, this is a classic example of such a triumphant return.

As the stylish and well-connected entrepreneur who runs Covet by Christos, an online shopping platform admired by stars like Garcelle Beauvais and Monet Mazur, Garkinos is just as knowledgeable about pre-owned luxury items as he is at reinventing himself.

After spending years in corporate roles at Disney and Virgin Megastore, Garkinos discovered his fashion niche by partnering with Cameron Silver to co-found Decades, a popular vintage store in Los Angeles. Subsequently, viewers grew fond of Garkinos as a charming and witty personality on Bravo’s Dukes of Melrose, and as the designer/host of Eureka by Christos Garkinos on the HSN Network. To promote his new book, Garkinos is employing the skills he mastered at Decades and HSN to market what he knows best – himself.

Garkinos’s Memoir: From Greek Immigrant Roots in Detroit to California Dreams is a moving, compassionate, and impactful account chronicling Garkinos’s journey growing up as part of a Greek immigrant family in Detroit, his pursuit of California dreams, and the various career transformations he underwent – at one point, soaring atop Mulholland Drive only to plummet to rock bottom, then rising once more.

He explains that his latest memoir encompasses a comprehensive review of the significant moments in his life. He acknowledges avoiding toxic relationships and unsuitable jobs, some of which may have been beneficial. He also shares insights he gained from mentors such as Richard Branson, which he can pass on to others navigating their own lives.

For the past five years, Garkinos has persevered through various personal challenges, building a dedicated fanbase known as The Stos Squad. Every day, they tune in to watch his engaging Instagram Live sessions where he showcases merchandise from the closets of his well-known friends. With over 35K enthusiastic followers, Garkinos’ social media platform has seen significant growth.

In the realm of luxury, beauty, and retail, Garkinos shared insights with The Hollywood Reporter on his latest publication, fashion advice, and essential wellness items.

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Known for his expertise in luxury, beauty, and shopping, Garkinos discussed his new book, fashion suggestions, and key wellness products with The Hollywood Reporter.

At your recent “Covet the Comeback” launch event in Los Angeles, Selma Blair, Garcelle Beauvais, and Kathy Hilton were among those who joined in the celebration with you. Debra Messing attended your book signing in New York. Can you share what their support meant to you?

For approximately two decades, they’ve been an integral part of my life. A defining characteristic of me is my unwavering loyalty. Some individuals enter and exit my life, but Selma, Garcelle, and I have maintained a strong bond. Kathy Hilton is a more recent acquaintance, while Monet Mazur has been a friend for a quarter-century. Essentially, they are friends before being partners in work.

Some women from your book are also highlighted, offering fantastic fashion and life suggestions. I hadn’t known about the Cindy Crawford tip before: “Say ‘Thursday’ when posing for a photo. Everyone together – Thursday. That’s what Cindy Crawford told me.”

Wow, everything’s functioning smoothly! It turns out Debra Messing attended my signing in New York. She used a different phrase – one I can’t recall now – to strike a pose, widening her smile. I’ll need to ask her what that phrase was later on.

What can readers expect from your book?

The essence here is about adapting, finding new paths, and persevering despite setbacks. It’s a tale of resilience and triumph. I was a young gay Greek man from Michigan, harboring grand aspirations for Hollywood stardom, many of which came to fruition. However, after our Bravo show and my HSN line concluded, it seemed as though the dreams had halted. I found myself questioning whether I would return to Michigan, if this was all there was. That’s what it boils down to. Another key point is that every experience you gather in life propels you forward. When my business, “Covet by Christos,” launched five years ago, all the pieces fell into place. Sometimes, when people wonder, “Why am I learning algebra in 10th grade? I’ll never use it,” for me, that was the entire HSN experience, which I cherished. Yet, I questioned how I would utilize this again. However, the skills I honed during my time at HSN have been instrumental in what I do daily with “Covet by Christos” on Instagram Live.

What inspired you to revisit the past, present, and future — now?

The individual is sharing a personal anecdote about their father and family history. They lost their father at the age of 59, and their uncle also died at the same age. This made them think that they might follow a similar fate as their family members. However, when they turned 60, they realized that their life story might be different from what has happened in their family. They reflect on the positive events that have occurred over the past five years, including surviving COVID-19, finding someone to marry, and experiencing success in their business. As a result, they now feel that they are in a position where they can use their experiences to help others.

In Hollywood, you’re often linked to your time at Decades and the related Bravo reality show, Dukes of Melrose. Can you explain how that period has impacted the work you do today?

The focus was on fashion, yet Decades offered an exceptional personal touch in customer service. Despite the large online presence, I maintain close connections with customers. There’s still a personal touch involved even with my significant online business. I’m well-acquainted with their lives, as they regularly check in with me. I refer to them affectionately as “The Norms of Cheers.” When someone logs into the live stream, it feels like a special occasion for me. Looking back at the Decades era, there was an aspect where I styled customers, but it also reminds me of my childhood and working at my parents’ restaurant. They instilled in me the importance of creating a welcoming atmosphere for guests from a young age, which I carry with me to this day.

From my perspective, it’s all about everyday experiences that revolve around how you feel. Whether it’s managing my parents’ restaurant daily, operating a store on a regular basis, or working at a well-known music store – these activities bring life to things and create enjoyable connections for people. Shopping is one of the few remaining shared experiences we have left. That’s why I was thrilled about the opening of Printemps in New York. It’s stunning! There are lines of people waiting to get inside. So, it’s clear that it’s a big deal – just like going to Barney’s used to be. The work I do online daily shares this same essence.

What makes what you’re doing on IG Live a different experience for the consumer?

Life is unpredictable, filled with joy and excitement. My colleague often jokes that there are more people watching my shows than shopping at Bergdorf’s. I tend to approach both business and life by asking myself, “What’s a new perspective?” I didn’t intentionally become a pioneer in social media, but I had a unique vision for “Live in the Closet with Christos.” When the pandemic struck, I wasn’t sure what would happen, but the early adoption of Instagram Live by DJ D-Nice helped me adapt more swiftly.

What’s something women should consider before making a big purchase — especially online?

Instead of asking, “What’s the story you want to tell in your life?” I could say, “What is the narrative or tale you envision for your life? For instance, are you imagining being like Sophia Loren today or Gwyneth Paltrow from the Sliding Doors era in 1998? Just consider where you aspire to be. Let’s start weaving a story together based on that.

What’s your biggest hack for being event-ready?

To ensure a comfortable shopping experience, be mindful that discussions around measurements are crucial for you to select garments that best suit your body. I’m guessing many men might recall the Oprah episode where women were surprised by their bra sizes, such as ’36 double D.’ If you’re unaware of your correct bra size, it can be quite challenging. Thus, I strongly suggest getting professionally measured to accurately determine your true bra size. Otherwise, it’s like forcing a square peg into a round hole. An improperly fitting bra can make any outfit look less than perfect. So, I believe that finding the right undergarments is essential before you put on a dress.

One helpful advice I often share with everyone is, “Have you been wearing the same bra for over five years?” I personally prefer Third Love when it comes to undergarments.

Shop Christos Garkinos’ Favorite Skin Care

Shop Christos Garkinos’ Spring Fashion Picks

As a gamer, I’m all about leveling up my friend’s fashion game when we’re building our wardrobes. It’s like equipping the perfect gear – think a crop denim jacket, a crop leather jacket, an awesome duster coat, and a must-have little black dress for your collection. Let’s boost our daily style together!”

Or:

“In the gaming world, I help my buddy enhance their character’s appearance when we’re customizing outfits – it’s similar to finding the best gear, such as a trendy crop denim jacket, a sleek leather jacket, an eye-catching duster coat, and a versatile little black dress for our closets. Let’s upgrade our real-life wardrobes together!

It’s a good idea to have not just one, but two excellent clutches in your closet. They serve as versatile accessories that can take you from day to evening. Think of it as a day-to-night transition – keep one clutch inside another larger bag during the daytime, and leave your bigger bag at work when you head out for the night. I suggest considering a Chanel kiss lock clutch in satin; not only is it stylish, but it’s also an investment piece that will last.

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2025-04-08 18:27