Many rich and famous people are not shy about showing off their wealth. One of the surest ways to flash a little opulence is to step out in the latest fashions. But while flaunting designer shoes, dresses, suits, and other items will garner attention, where do they store all of it after it has been worn or gone out of style? When aristocrats find their sartorial surplus bursting out of ordinary, everyday bedroom closets, they turn to custom closets to house their clothing. Here are some of the most over the top, extravagant homes for clothes.

Mariah Carey's Manhattan Monument

Mariah Carey is a singer, songwriter, and actress with a firm place on the Mount Rushmore of divas. In her three-decade career, she has walked more red carpets than could be counted. Luckily, she has a place to keep all the gowns from those galas. In her 10,000-square-foot Manhattan triplex, the butterfly diva has installed one of the largest custom closets in a private residence, as befits her status. The space is laid out with bleached wood floors that have been buffed to a high shine, giving it the appearance of marble but the warmth of wood, perfect for walking barefoot to try on outfits. The accents are laid out in gold leaf, and the shelves that hold shoes and accessories are backlit. All the glow and reflective surfaces mean that the star gets studio-quality lighting every time she steps out.

Imelda Marcos' Skeleton-Free Closet

Mrs. Marcos was the wife of former Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos, who ruled the country for over twenty years. While Ferdinand was famous for his iron fist, Imelda was known for the gentler materials she amassed, especially the shoes. Born into poverty, Imelda Marcos became obsessed with buying all the trappings her newfound status could afford. While the rest of the country suffered deprivation and starvation, the Marcos family plundered and pilfered all they could get their hands on. Imelda stored her garments inside a pair of custom closets she had built inside the presidential palace. The rooms were massive and climate controlled, with the kind of rolling ladders one usually associates with libraries. When soldiers from the People Power Revolution stormed the presidential residence, they were shocked at the wealth they found stashed away. It was reported at the time that she had over 1,200 pairs of shoes before she and her husband went into exile in Hawaii. Later, Imelda was interviewed about the revolution and the storming of the palace: "They went into my closets looking for skeletons, but all they found were shoes, beautiful shoes."

Custom closets can be signs of wealth, both the good and the bad side. These ladies represent the line between success and excess.