Life & Work with Modesta Fogg of Raleigh

Today we’d like to introduce you to Modesta Fogg.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Thank you for the opportunity to share my journey. My story started long before I ever opened the doors to my boutique. I became a teen mom at 16, commuting on two buses and two trains every day just to finish school while raising my son. That level of determination never left me.

Years later, I built a successful career in banking, leading multiple markets and mentoring others along the way. But fashion was always my passion. In 2015, I took a leap of faith and opened The Closet Boutique in Triangle Town Center. It was funded by my late husband, Ricardo, who believed in me even when I doubted myself. He invested in my dream before it was fully formed, and I carry his legacy in every piece I curate and every woman I empower through fashion.

The journey hasn’t been easy. From managing loss to learning how to stand out in a fast fashion world, I’ve had to evolve as both a businesswoman and a woman. But today, The Closet Boutique is more than just a store, it’s a space where quality meets confidence, and where every customer is reminded that they are seen, styled, and supported.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It hasn’t been a smooth road, but it’s been a powerful one. The Closet Boutique officially opened its doors in June 2020, right in the middle of a pandemic. I launched alongside two beautiful, intelligent women, Yolanda and Jordan. Together, we modeled something rare in business: that there’s no competition in collaboration. We showed our community what it looks like when women support one another and build together.

My husband Ricardo was alive when I opened, and he was my biggest supporter. He funded the boutique and believed in my vision without hesitation. Having him by my side during that launch gave me confidence and peace. Losing him unexpectedly later was one of the hardest things I’ve ever faced. Navigating grief while running a growing business tested me in every way.

There have been struggles with foot traffic, vendor turnover, and the pressure of doing it all, while trying to maintain a sense of self and purpose. But every challenge strengthened my faith, sharpened my focus, and reminded me that The Closet Boutique isn’t just a store, it’s a part of my healing and a reflection of everything I’ve overcome.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
The Closet Boutique is where fashion meets empowerment. I specialize in curating affordable, high-quality looks that speak to bold, confident women, especially those who are tired of waiting weeks for their online orders or settling for clothes that don’t fit or flatter. Our in-store experience allows women to try things on, feel good instantly, and leave with something that feels like them.

I’m known for creating a space that’s more than retail, it’s therapy through fashion. Whether it’s a college student stepping into her style or a working mom rediscovering her confidence, I love helping women feel seen and celebrated. I also style for film productions, photoshoots, and real-life moments, weddings, date nights, job interviews, all with the same goal: to make women feel powerful.

What sets me apart is the realness. I bring my full story, the wins, the losses, the comeback, into my business. My boutique isn’t just transactional; it’s transformational. I’m most proud that I built this from the ground up, during a pandemic, funded by love, sustained by faith, and grown through consistency. And I’m not done yet.

What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was a full-blown tomboy Jordans, hoodies, ponytails, and no interest in anything too “girly.” I was tough, outspoken, and always held my own, even in a room full of boys. Fashion wasn’t on my radar the way it is now, but I always knew how to stand out. I had a boldness about me, even when life was hard.

Over time, that toughness evolved into confidence, and my style grew with me. I went from baggy jeans to boss looks, but I’ve never lost that edge. That tomboy energy still lives in me, it just shows up now in a blazer with sneakers or a dress with attitude. I think that’s what makes my boutique special, I understand both the street and the chic. I bring both to the table.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theclosetboutiquenc
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1AKDh8vRwa/