Olivia Culpo keeps a dedicated storage unit of pageant gowns and clothing for daughter Colette

Olivia Culpo, the 2012 Miss Universe, keeps a dedicated storage unit filled with her most meaningful clothing items for her daughter. In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, she said:

"I have a whole storage unit for her with all of my wedding dresses, my pageant dresses — all of my really valuable keepsakes"

Culpo is from Cranston, Rhode Island, and rose to fame by winning the titles of Miss Rhode Island USA, Miss USA and Miss Universe in 2012, becoming the first American to win the global title in 15 years. 

She has since appeared on the cover of the 2020 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue and starred in reality shows, including Model Squad on E! and The Culpo Sisters on TLC. She now hosts Next Gen Chef on Netflix. 

Culpo married San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey in a June 2024 ceremony in Watch Hill, Rhode Island, featuring custom Dolce & Gabbana designs. 

After openly discussing her endometriosis and fertility concerns, the couple welcomed daughter Colette Annalise McCaffrey on July 13, 2025. 

As of December 2025, five months into motherhood, Culpo is focused on saving family memories through fashion and keepsakes.

Which iconic gowns and keepsakes is Olivia Culpo saving for her 5-year-old daughter, Colette?

The storage unit holds Culpo's notable 2012 pageant gowns, including plunging pink and red designs from the Miss USA competition, as well as the velvet red evening gown she wore during her Miss Universe crowning in Las Vegas.

She told PEOPLE:

"You don't know how these pieces are going to wear and how valuable they can be someday. I look back at the clothes that I used to wear and I miss them. I wish that I had so many of those pieces, because they are truly a moment in time and it's so cool to be able to take somebody back in that way."

The storage also contains her custom Dolce & Gabbana wedding outfits from her wedding. 

The ceremony gown was a long-sleeve, crepe, crew-neck ballgown with a voluminous skirt and a button-lined back, paired with a 16-foot lace veil. She changed into additional Dolce & Gabbana looks for the reception.

She told Vogue:

“I wanted something that felt as serious as that commitment”

Culpo preserves these pieces to keep them “intact” for Colette. 

The baby has reached early milestones, such as rolling over, and has attended 49ers games, often dressed in cute outfits, like a knit version of her father's jersey.

Culpo also regularly archives Colette's outgrown baby clothes, adding to bins weekly as her daughter grows quickly. This practice stems from Culpo regretting the loss of some of her own childhood items.

How is Olivia Culpo balancing her career, marriage and motherhood?

Culpo continues her multifaceted career in modeling, influencing millions of followers and appearing on reality television alongside her sisters, Aurora and Sophia, as well as hosting various television projects. She supports McCaffrey during the NFL season while sharing family updates on social media.

The couple met through mutual friends in 2019 and began dating that year.

In the same interview, Culpo expressed hope that Colette will pursue athletics, like her father, who earned Offensive Player of the Year in 2023 and comes from a family of athletes. She jokingly said:

"I mean, gosh, I can't ruin the McCaffrey gene pool like that. Christian has such an intense line of athletes in his blood bloodline that I'm hopeful that she's athletic, because if she's not, you know, who did that, you know? That would be my fault."

Culpo is happy to share her fashion legacy but emphasises letting Colette choose her own interests. The storage unit serves as a tangible link between Culpo's accomplished past and her daughter's future possibilities.

This thoughtful preservation highlights Culpo's approach to blending professional success, personal health journeys, marriage and new motherhood.

Olivia Culpo stars in The Culpo Sisters (TLC and discovery+), Model Squad (E!) and hosts Next Gen Chef (Netflix).

Stay tuned for more such updates!