“Clothes make the man; naked people have little or no influence on society”
Mark Twain
I was brought into this world with a tape measure around my neck. I remember my mother from a very early age making custom wedding dresses and suits for friends and their children. When asked what she would charge, she would reply “you cannot afford me, but I will do it for you for free because I love to create beautiful gowns”. Well, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. My love for fabric and creating beautiful clothing was inherited from my mother.
I grew up in Montgomery and at the Church of the Ascension where I met George Wilder. George and his wife Madeliene were leaders of our youth group. As fate would have it, in the spring of 1980 I was in Tuscaloosa for a very heady event (beer has a head). As a result of that event coupled with a few poor decisions, I became a guest of the county. My dad determined that Tuscaloosa was probably not the best place for me. When George found out that I was going to be in town, he begged me on his hands and knees to come work for him.
Over the last 38 years, I have grown to love the art of tailored clothing and furnishings. My Mother’s love of clothing was transferred to me and as she did, I have sought and continue to seek education to make me even better in this field. Of the countless custom suits that I have helped clients with, there are more than a few memorable ones. I once made a 66 extra-long white suit for a professional football player that you could put two basketballs side by side in the thigh of the trousers. There are two more that perhaps stand out the most; one was orange and the other a purple suit with knee-length jackets. Those are obviously exceptions to what we do each day but a lot of fun. But seriously, every suit I have ever made has given me great joy to deliver.
One of my responsibilities is “The Old Fashion Marketing Department”. I love to reach out to all kinds of folks and preach the Gospel of appropriate dress. I have spoken to high schools (this is where you get a lot of blank stares, along with a little drool), to fraternity meetings (they come for the beer), to businesses looking to upgrade the appearance of their employees and to many professionals who realize that their clothing can speak before they say a word. I genuinely believe that the old adage “you only have one chance to make a good first impression” is true. I also have other duties which buying, direct sales, cleaning the bathrooms, talking George in from the ledge on a weekly basis and the one I find most taxing is being the undisputed fashion guru of the store.
All kidding aside, my clients are very important to me; first and foremost they are my friends. Collecting friends and clients is my passion. I want your experience here to be entertaining, enjoyable and even educational. After all the years we still have a lot of fun and I love what I do. I have been fortunate to help folks as far away as Singapore and London and as close as next door. If we have not met, I would love to get to know you as well. When you stop the store, I‘ll be the best-dressed guy in the store, don’t worry, you’ll be able to figure it out.
334.262.1788